A Trip to Kashmir makes you visit some of its iconic attractions like Shalimar Bagh, Gulmarg, and Baltal Valley in Kashmir. But do you know that Kashmiris celebrate some unique festivals unique to Kashmir only?
Throughout history, Kashmir has been influenced by various cultures and religions. However, Kashmir Pandits never gave up on their culture, which is why, they still celebrate some unique Kashmir Pandit Festivals to retain their traditions.
Kashmiri Pandit community is one of the ancient Brahmin communities in India. And their festivals play an important role in preserving the identity of them. Especially now, when the conflicts within Kashmir are taking a new face every other day. Kashmiri Pandits celebrate all Hindu festivals normally but in their own unique way. Let’s explore some of the unique Kashmir Pandit Festivals highlighting their cultural significance, and traditions, some of which are unique to Kashmir.
Explore some of the Unique Kashmiri Festivals
1. Importance of Kashmir Pandit Festivals
From ancient times, Kashmiri Pandit festivals have been integral to their cultural identity.
Like every other region, Kashmir also celebrates various festivals but there’s a Kashmiri twist to each of them.
These celebrations also play an important role in preserving the Kashmiri Pandit language, traditions, and rituals, and act as acultural knowledge passed down through generations.
For younger Kashmiri Pandits, these festivals serve as a link to their heritage.
By participating in these rituals, the younger generation gains a deeper understanding of their cultural roots, ensuring the continuity and resilience of these cherished practices.
2. Major Kashmiri Pandit Festivals
Navreh (Kashmiri Pandit New Year)
Navreh is derived from the Sanskrit word”’Nav-Varsha,” meaning new year, and it marks the beginning of the Kashmiri Hindu calendar year.
On the day of Navreh, a platter called “Thaal” is prepared with rice, a pen, an inkpot, flowers, a mirror, new grass, walnuts, a bread loaf, and curd.
This platter is kept overnight, and the family members view it first thing in the morning and pray for prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.
Apart from that, temples are visited, and special prayers are offered.
Herath (Shivratri)
One of the most highly respected festivals in the entire India, Shivratri, locally known as Herath, is the most important festival for Kashmiri Pandits.
The word ‘Herath’ is derived from the Sanskrit word “Har-Ratri,” which means “Night of Hara”(another name for Shiva).
Different regions in India celebrated this festival differently, symbolizing regional specialties and culture.
Kashmiri Pandits celebrate this festival by worshiping “Vatuk Bhairav,” earthenware pots filled with walnuts, which symbolize divine blessings.
On the main night (Shivratri), feasts are prepared, and special dishes like “Tehe”’ (yellow rice) and fish are consumed.
The festive menu usually includes “Rogan Josh,” and Walnuts soaked in water are distributed as prasad.
Haar Ashtami
Commonly known as Durga Ashtami, this festival is significant to Kashmiri Pandits and is marked by a series of traditional rituals.
On the day of the festival, devotees visit the nearby Durga Temple to seek blessings from the goddess, and the evening arti is characterized by hymns, and performing rituals involving the use of flowers, incense, and sacred chants.
Zyeth Atham
The Festival is dedicated to the goddess Kshir Bhawani, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati.
This is one of the Kashmiri Pandit festivals and is unique to Kashmir. On this day, people visit the famous Kshir Bhawani temple in Tulmul, located near Srinagar.
Here, the goddess is believed to reside in a sacred spring whose water changes color, which represents positivity and negativity.
The goddess is offered milk, flowers, and sweets, and the whole celebration is done by prayers and creating a spiritual atmosphere.
Gaad Batt
Gaad Batt is another major festival celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits.it is a festival dedicated to the preparation of fish and rice.
This festival basically honors the guardian of the house, commonly known as “Gar Divta.” to whom, traditionally cooked and sacrificed fish rice is offered.
Keeping it at a place that could be kept inaccessible for a night. It is believed that he keeps our house protected from evil spirits.
It is also an occasion that brings families together to share and enjoy meals prepared using various traditional styles.
Pann
Pann, one of Kashmiri Pandit festivals, originally involves spinning newly produced cotton and worshipping local agricultural goddesses Vibha and Garbha with offerings of Roths (sweet bread cakes).
Despite Kashmir’s unsuitable climate for cotton, tradition says it once grew there. Celebrated on Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival includes Lakshmi worship, likely due to historical evolution.
Khetsimavas
Khetsimavas or Yakshamavasya is a special festival for Kashmiri Pandits, held on the new moon day of the Pausha month (December-January).
It honors the ancient diversity of people in Kashmir. During the festival, people prepare khichari, as an offering to Kubera, a deity associated with wealth.
The offering is left outside for Kubera, symbolizing their faith in his presence and blessings during Khetsimavas.
Conclusion:
These deeply-rooted Kashmiri Pandit Festivals are the reflections of their age-old culture and traditions. Despite modernization, Kashmiri Pandits have preserved their cultural heritage through these celebrations. These festivals are like threads that weave together the identity of Kashmiri Pandits.
