A Nostalgic Journey
Shivaratri is a very important Hindu festival known since times immemorial. Historically the festival is believed to have originated in 5th century BC. It is celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - waning) of the lunar month of Phalguna. This corresponds to a date according to the lunar calendar in the month of February or March. It is a notable festival marking a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world and is observed by remembering Shiva by chanting prayers, fasting and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness. It has a special significance for Kashmiri Pandits and is their most important religious festival- the “King of Festivals”. It is like the Durga Pooja of West Bengal and the Ganapathi festival of Maharashtra.
As per the ancient scripts Shiva worship on Shivratri was being observed in Kashmir right before the arrival of Saraswat Brahmins from the plains of India. One of the conditions put forward by King Nila Naag, the son of Rishi Kashyap for permitting these Saraswat Brahmins to settle in the valley was to observe their festivals which included celebration of the festival of Shivratri. It is called Herath by Kashmiri Pandits. The origin of this word is debatable. Most Pandits believe that Herath is the altered form of Hari-rat divine night or Harishrat-the night of delight.
However, some believe that it has been derived from Hairat - a Persian word for utter surprise. It is stated that during the Pathan Rule Jabbar, who was governor of Kashmir, ordered that instead of Feb/March the festival should be observed in the month of June - July (HAR in Kashmir) which are hottest months in Kashmir. Kashmiri Hindus dutifully obeyed his orders under the threat and celebrated the festival in HAR (June-July). The forced alteration of date brought innumerable curses upon the valley. There was untimely snowfall in the hot summer leading to lot of hardships. The Pathans expressed HAIRAT - utter surprise at this. According to this legend it was at this time that Shivratri came to be known as Herath. There is a Kashmiri couplet which records the perversity of Jabar - which is as follows: "Wuchiv Kya Gav Jabbar Jandas Harras Ti Kuran Wandh" (Look what has happened to wretched Jabbar who converted summer into winter)
The festival spans over a period of two weeks starting from Krishna Paksha of Phalgun (Lunar month). It starts with cleaning of the whole house after a long and protracted severe winter to getting materials for pooja and lot of rituals. A pot filled with water and decorated with flowers is made – it is called “Wagur” The place for the Pooja is reserved till the final day of Shivaratri. Prior to the start of puja on the main day, Trayodashi (the 13th day) several pots, representing various deities, including the two larger vessels signifying Shiva and Parwati are embellished with flower garlands tied round their mouths and dried walnuts deposited in them nearly to the brim. The smaller vessels, representing other deities, are similarly readied for formal worship. A couple of more vessels are also kept ready for lesser deities like the Bhairavas. The other constituents of the pooja are Bael leaves (Sacred Leaves of the Bael tree) Fruits (Bananas, Apples, Pears, Mangoes etc) Fresh Flowers (White flowers like Jasmine, Lotus etc). Walnuts, are an important part of the Pooja.
On the 14th day (Chaterudeshi) which is celebrated as Maha Shivratri by Hindus all over India by keeping a Upavas (fast) and prayers, In Kashmir it is a day of feasting for Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir with delicious food and fish and radish or nadroo (lotus stem) always being the main dish along with the traditional meat dishes. Everybody dressed in their best usually brand-new clothes and enjoying the day playing games of cards is also very popular.
Friends and relatives are invited for a lunch with all the delicacies especially the delicious fish and meat. Sons-in-law of the family are specially invited. People who render services to the community such as washerman, barbers, postmen, electricians and such other persons come to offer greetings and receive gifts of cash. The music lover bands come & dance (especially if there is a new born or a new bride in the house) and receive gifts of cash. Since most of those people are Muslims who greet with "SALAM", so the day has come to be known as the Herath Salam day. Children and ladies are also given gift of cash on this day which is called Herath Kharach. Children get up early in the morning and go to elders and ask for their share. Which is actually a call for payment of gift money.
"Family daughters, sons-in-law and their children are also paid this gift in terms of cash. It is sent to them later on along with prasad of walnuts. Ritualistic puja of the sanctified vessels reaches its climax on the 15th day called Dooen Mavas (walnut amavas). On this day all the flower-decked vessels are taken to a stream or river for immersion. A sect of Pandits called Gurtoo’s are strictly vegetarian during Shivaratri celebrations. They do not join other groups for three days from 12th to14th day.
After 1990 with the exodus of Pandits from the valley the celebrations of Herath have become only reminiscent of the past and nostalgic. To recreate these rituals in Jammu or other parts of the country can at best be only symbolic.
Prof Upendra Kaul, Founder Director Gauri Kaul Foundation
