Kashmiri Pandits Sunday celebrated Shivratri, locally knownas Herath, with religious fervour and gaiety across Kashmir.
The festival holds an important place among Kashmiri Panditswho celebrate it to mark the wedding of the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati.
The weekend rainfall which coincided with the eve ofShivratri is associated with the belief that wet weather on the day is a goodomen.
On this festival, Pandits distribute soaked walnuts as amark of respect to the Hindu deities.
The biggest gathering of the festival took place atShankaracharya Temple on the hill overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Hundreds of devotees also thronged KheerBhawani temple atTullamulla in district Ganderbal.
The temple authorities at Ganpatyar and Hanuman temple atAmira Kadal also held special prayers throughout the day followed bycelebrations in the evening.
Kumar Wanchoo, a Kashmiri Pandit living in Jawahar Nagarsaid the rainfall on Shivratri was “overwhelming” and a good omen. “Rainfall on the eve of Shivratri is the bestpossible thing we had prayed for. It has not just brought happiness but giveshope that bonding among all the communities will become stronger,” Wanchoosaid.
Special ‘pujas’ held in Kashmiri Pandit houses holds majorsignificance on the day of Shivratri.
PanditBhushanLal, a Kashmiri Pandit from Ganpatyar saidefforts were made to ensure that local temple wore a decorated look. “Whilevegetarian food is relished on Shivratri day, we look forward to non-vegetariandelicacies such as traditional Kashmiri dishes including fish, lotus stem(nadur) and even dishes prepared from mutton on the day of ‘Salaam’,” Lal said.
People from all other communities visiting our homes andparticipating in the festivities is a heartwarming gesture, he said.
Governor Satya Pal Malik greeted people on Shivratri.
In his message, Malik said this festival symbolises thevalues of piety, devotion, brotherhood and harmony, “which are the hallmarks ofour glorious cultural ethos”.
Wishing the people a happy Mahashivratri and Herath, thegovernor prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the state, according to astatement from his office.
The day of Salaam, observed a day after Shivratri, witnessesparticipation by Muslims visiting Pandit homes to greet them and partake in thefestivity. Hurriyat Conference (M)chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq took to social media to extend greetings to Panditcommunity on the occasion of Herath.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah andvice-president Omar Abdullah greeted the people on Mahashivratri and expressedhope that the festival will be celebrated in true spirit of the composite cultureof Jammu and Kashmir.
“Such occasions strengthen bonds of amity and seculartemperament among all sections of the society,” the senior Abdullah said.
Omar in a statement expressed hope that the tradition ofbrotherhood, love and amity would continue to guide the people, “which isimperative for harmonious growth of the society.”
General secretary of National Conference, Ali MuhammedSagaralso prayed for peace and tranquility in the state.
Provincial presidents Devender Singh Rana and NasirAslamWani have also greeted the people on Shivratri.
Chief secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam also greeted the peopleof the state on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, saying harmony andmutual brotherhood have been the hallmark of this festival which symbolises thepluralistic heritage, ethos and bonds of love among various sections of thesociety.
Advisors to governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, K K Sharma and KSkandan also greeted people on Mahashivratri.
Principal secretary, planning, development and monitoring RohitKansal,who is also the J&K government spokesperson has greeted the people of thestate in general and the media fraternity in particular on the auspiciousoccasion of Mahashivratri, which is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits as Hearath.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone greeted the people of J&K on Herath, saying it is an “integral part and hallmark of our glorious cultural ethos”. PC’s general secretary Imran Ansari also greeted the people on Mahashivratri and hoped that it starts a journey towards peace and prosperity in the state.