Hairath celebrated in Kashmir with religious fervour, gaiety

Srinagar, Feb 24: "Hairath", Maha Shivratri, the most important festival of the Kashmiri Pandits was celebrated today throughout the Kashmir valley. The separatists had also withdrawn strike call today to allow members of the community to celebrate the festival. Separatist organisations are calling strike every Friday in the Kashmir valley, demanding right to self determination. After joining night-long puja in their respective houses despite chilly weather conditions, members are greeting each other on the occasion of “Salaam”.

Muslims and members of other communities greeted their Kashmiri pandit brethren on the occasion. A large number of devotees were visiting temples, particularly Shankarachariya on the hill top of Takhat-e-Suliman, since early this morning despite cold weather conditions. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, opposition National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah and working president of NC Omar Abdullah and former union minister Prof Saifuddin Soz have greeted people on the occasion of the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma, . The authorities had set up special fish sale counters at different places in the valley for the Kashmiri Pandits, who have not migrated along with other community members in 90s or returned here.

The Shivratri festival extends to about three weeks in Kashmiri Pandits' households and each day or a group of days, has a special name and religious function which include social performances also. Some of the names are Akodah, Hurya Aatham, Dyara Daham, Vagarye Bah, Heracnia Truvah, Donya Mavas and Tila Aatham. On each day, they have a different function. The Mahashivratri festival, observed as "Hairath" by Kashmiri Pandits on the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma, begins on the first day of Phalgun Krishna Paksha and ends on the Amavasi day in Phalgun. In between, there are numerous auspicious days like Hur Ashtami. Walnuts, whose shape represents the universe, play an important part in 'Hairath' rituals. Walnuts are filled in earthen pots and then filled with water. The water is changed every day of the festivals. A big earthen pot, two medium sized earthern pots, two small earthen pots, clay modelled to the shape of elephant trunk and seven bowls are used in the Hairath ritual and they are known as 'watuk'. The 'watuk' represents Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Sapta Rishis and other deities.

Fasting is observed on the important puja day and it comes to an end at night. The rituals come to an end on the Amavasi day, which follows Shivratri. The puja items, flowers and pots are immersed in rivers. Walntus are distributed as prasad.