Shah Basit
Kashmiri Pandits on Monday celebrated their grandest annual festival of Mahashivratri- locally known as Herath.
Other than the largest gathering held at the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, prayers were also held at Ganpatyar temple in Habakadal and Hanuman Temple in Amira Kadal areas of Srinagar.
Kashmiri Pandits observe the Herath festival for three days to mark the wedding of Hindu God- Shiva and Parvati. On this day, they distribute walnuts as a mark of respect to the Hindu Gods.
Herath is the most prominent festival of Kashmiri Pandits, which is celebrated on the 13th day of the dark half of the month of Phalguna, between February and March, and not on Chaturdashi or the 14th as in the Indian mainland.
On the first day, special ‘Poojas’ are held in all temples, especially the ‘Shiva temples’ across the Kashmir valley. On day two, Kashmiri Muslims visit the houses of Pandits and extend their greetings.
The day is marked by the cooking of traditional Kashmiri dishes, especially locally produced fish. During the celebration of Herath, food plays an important role. Shivratri feasts are all about delicious Kashmiri cuisine made up of walnuts and Tumul czhut (rice chapati).