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| Maha Shivratri (Haerath) of Kashmiri Pandits | | | Krishan Trisal | 2/17/2019 11:20:20 PM |
| Nilamat Purana written in 6/7th century AD mentions Shiva Worship on Shivratri was prevalent in Kashmir right before the arrival of SWARSAT BRAHMINS from plains. One of the conditions put forward by King NILA for permitting these SWARSAT BRAHMINS to settle in the valley was to observe their festivals which included celebration of the festival of SHIVRATRI. After a passage of time this festival came to be called HAERATH.
Why is Shivratri called Haerath ?
Different people have given various explanations for this:-
Haerath signifies emergence of Vatuk Bhairav {in ancient past from an earth pot}, (Bhairav is one of the manifestation of Rudra) Haerath falls on 12th or 13th day of Phalgun Krishna Paksha and that is why we celebrate it on this day and explains why earthen vessels were used Shivchuturdashi of Phalgun Krishna Paksha is called Maha Shivratri and it is a coincidence that two festivals are celebrated together.
Another view is that Haerath is the altered form of Hari-rat divine might or Harishrat- the night of delight.
Another version is that it has been derived from Hairat- a Persian word for utter surprise. It is stated that during the Pathan Rule, Jabar 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 obeyed his orders 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. The Pathans expressed HAIRAT- utter surprise at this. Since then Shivratri came to be known as Heyrath. There is a Kashmiri couplet which records the perversity of Jabar- which is as follow:
"Wuchiv Kya Gav Jabbar Jandas Harras Ti Kuran Wandh"
(Fie on the wretched jabar for having turned summer into winter)
For a Kashmiri Pandit this is King of Festivals. It spans over a period of 23 days starting from 1st day of the Krishan Paksha of Phalgun (Lunar Month) to Ashtmi (8th Day) of Shukla Paksha. It encompasses all social, religious and even cultural activities. From 1st day of the known (Hurya Okdoh) to 6th day (Hurya Shyam) the whole house and the household things are cleaned after long & serve winter. Materials to used in Puja such as earthen ware, walnuts, grass (for making Ari) etc. are collected 7th day (Hurya Saptami) and 8th day (Hurya Ashtmi) are the days for devotional prayers at home and congregational prayers with bhajans in temples. 10th day (Dyara Daham) is the day when daughter in-law of household who visit their parents during these days return back to their in-laws house along with some Shaguns for their happiness. Such as Kangri, Salt, bread leaves (chuchas) and cash (Haerat bhog). 11th day (Ekadashi-Gada Kah) and 12th day (Wagur Bah) are special days for worship of Bhairwas. Fish in large quantities are procured and processed but not cooked Wagur Bah i.e on 12th day a pot filled with water is installed at a place reserved for Puja.
Wagur :- "A pot filled with water and decorated with flowers is called Wagur. It represents Lord Shiva's messenger, who went to Himalaya King Himvat's house, with proposal for his daughter , Parvati's marriage with Lord Shiva".
The night falling between Wagur Bah and 13th day Trayodashi (Haerath Truvah) is main time for Shiva worship. Vatuk Puja is a very elaborate worship where Lord Shiva, Parvati , Bhairwa and Shiva Ganas are worshipped in the manner as per chart given hereunder.
Some people have the tradition of offering cooked meat and fish to bhairwa. 14th day (Chaterudeshi) which celebrated as Maha Shivratri by Hindus all over India by keeping a strict Upavas (fast) and prayers, is a day of feasting for Kashmiri Pandits. They call it Salam.
SALAM:- On the day of Shivratri friends and relatives are invited for a lunch to share the delicious fish and meat. Son-in-laws of the family are specially invited. People who render services to the community such as washerman, barbers, postman, electricity maintenance man & such other like persons come to offer greetings 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 hefty presents of cash. Since most of those people are Muslims who greet with "SALAM", so the day has come to be known as SALAM.
Children and ladies are also given gift of cash on this day which is called Heyrat Kharach. Children get up early in the morning and go to elders & say Salam, which is actually a call for payment of gift money.
"Family Daughters, son-in-laws and their children are also paid this gift in terms of cash. It is sent to them later on alongwith Parshad of walnuts, newly wed brides & newly born children receive good amount of money".
A sect called Gurtoos are strictly vegetarian during Shivratri celebrations. They do not join other groups for three days from 12th-14th day.
In the evening brief prayers are offered to Vatuk Deity by the head of the family from the day of Vatuk Puja to Amavasi. The water from pots is replaced with new water every day in the morning and prayers held. On the day of Amavasi (Dunya Mawas) the ladies of the house carry Vatuk vessels to the river bank in the morning and empty all water content there. On their return back home, they are promised due reward in the form of blessings by house holder.
All functions of this festival come to an end on 8th day of Shukla Pakash when all the flowers with which Vatuk was decorated alongwith aries (The grass ring on which Vatuk vessels were kept) are carried to river bank in the evening for the immersion in the river.
An earthen lamp with burning oil wick is placed on the floating grass ari. The floating of lamp is reminiscent of a similar scene at HARIDWAR during evening prayers.
It is a festival of great social importance to Kashmiri Pandits, when all family members of all ages assemble together to pray to God and receive blessing of elders. Children have special fun. They play a game where in Co'wries are played in which Children (boys and Girls) and elders also join. While elders remain busy with worship, house ladies get an opportunity to show their art of cooking.
Daughters of all ages visit their parents. Parshad is shared with all neighbours & relations thus strengthening social bonds. Walnuts are distributed among Muslim friends as well which strengthen community bonds, but now since Islamic fundamentalist have forced the K.P community to leave their homes & hearths, this community bond has been disassociated and also the traditions have changed due to the influence of locality where the Kashmiri Pandit families are residing in exile due to the militancy since 90's. Esoterically the light of Chaturdasih/Amavash (darkest in Phalgun Krishna Paksha Amavasa) is ideal time for the union of Jiva (man) and Parmatman (Lord Shiva) the supreme sources of perennial joy & eternal beauty. It is a dawn of knowledge of the supreme self. At the mundane level this festival symbolizes the union of Goddess Parvati or Durga, The Divine, Shakti that stands with Shiva who is all pervading but static. |
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