FESTIVALS OF KASHMIR REGION
India is a land of festivals, apart from the festivals that we celebrate throughout the country, every region of India celebrates some local cultural festivals that give a unique cultural identity to the people of that region. The valleys and the mountains of Kashmir are the living testimony of the brotherhood of different communities living peacefully in Kashmir for centuries and celebrate different festivals in Kashmir with trust and tolerance. The festivals of Jammu and Kashmir can be understood on the basis of regions – Jammu & Kashmir. Some festivals are unique to the region but unknown to the rest of India. On the other hand, some festivals are celebrated mainly in Northern India while some are celebrated mainly in Jammu and Kashmir but partially in India.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is the Islamic festival celebrated worldwide each year, . Also called Tabaski in other islamic countries. In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, and lasts for four days. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately 11 days earlier each year. The tradition for Eid al-Adha involves slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat in three equal parts – for family, for relatives and friends, and for poor people. The goal is to make sure every Muslim gets to eat meat. The celebration has a clear message of devotion, kindness and equality. However, the purpose of sacrifice in Eid al-Adha is not about the shedding blood just to satisfy Allah. It is about sacrificing something devotees love the most to advance the message of Eid al-Adha. In other words, the sacrifice can be something other than an animal such as money or time spent on community service. There are historical precedences of caliphs sacrificing items other than meat. After all, the animal sacrifice is only a sunnah, which is habitual rather than required. The Quran said that the meat will not reach Allah, nor will the blood, but what reaches him is the devotion of devotees. Devotees offer the Eid al-Adha prayers at the mosque. The Eid al-Adha prayer is performed any time after the sun completely rises up to just before the entering of Zuhr time, on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. In the event of a force majeure (e.g. natural disaster), the prayer may be delayed to the 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah and then to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr, also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. This religious Eid is the only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to certain traditions, this festival was initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad from Mecca. Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month , then the festival is celebrated the following day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country. It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid, and a specific prayer is nominated for this day. As an obligatory act of charity, money is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the ‘Eid prayer.
Navreh
Navreh or Nav-Varsha is the Kashmiri Pandit festival celebrated by the Kashmiri Hindus on the first day of Chaitra (March-April) month of the Hindu Calendar. People greet each other ‘Navreh Mubarak’ on this auspicious day. Also, on this Kashmiri Pandit festival, they visit the Hari Parvat which is in the Srinagar, Kashmir. A ritual practice of preparing a plate (Navreh Thaal) is done overnight by the Kashmiris and in the morning it is the first thing to look at. Also, the same ritual is observed in the Kashmiri spring festival known as Sonth.
Herath
Herath derived from the Sanskrit word, Hararatri: which means the night of Hara (another name of Lord Shiva) is a major Kashmiri Pandit festival living in the valley. Among all the Kashmiri Pandit Festivals, Herath is the most important festival celebrated by the Kashmiris. However, Herath is celebrated a day ahead of the Shivratri compared to the rest of India. On this day people visit Shiv temples and do puja as per the rituals, offering milk, Bel Patra, flowers and fruits. Also, we can say that the Herath is somewhat different from the Shivratri celebrated in the rest of India but the essence and the purpose is the same.
Urs
Urs is celebrated on the death anniversary of the Muslim Priests and Saints. Urs is the major Kashmiri festival of Muslims living in the valley. However, in the Ziyarat, pilgrims of different faiths pay their respect to the mystic Sufis and Saints of Kashmir. It is mainly celebrated in Srinagar, the major city in the Kashmir division of Jammu and Kashmir. Urs is celebrated on the death anniversary of the Muslim Priests and Saints. Urs is the major Kashmiri festival of Muslims living in the valley.
- Ziyarat Baba Reshi
- Ziyarat Naksband Sahab
- Aishmuqaam Ziyarat
- Urs of Meesha Sahib
- Urs of Batamol Sahib
- Ziyarat of Mir Baba Haider
- Urs of Bahauddin
