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| Navreh a sacred festival of Kashmiri Pandits | | | Rajinder Premi
The Happy Valley is a land of vistas so lavish in its prospects and surpassing interest and beauty, a land where wonderful contrasts and amazing variety can be seen, a land of utmost miracles of bountiful nature, a land of Saints. The Kashmiri Pandit is famous for its hospitality. Pay a visit to him and he would treat you to the point of worship. It is not uncommon that he will offer food prepared for himself to a guest whose chances bring him unexpectedly to his home and will remain hungry until fresh food is prepared for himself.
There are enormous festivals which are celebrated with great fervor. Enthusiasm is always there. Among them is Navreh, which Kashmiri Pandits solemnise as the dawn of their new year. It is also celebrated as the first day of Navratra.
Navreh, the Kashmiri New Year, is a vibrant festival showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Kashmiri Pandit community. It’s a time of great joy, renewal, and spiritual rejuvenation.
Preparations begin a day before with thorough cleaning and decorating of homes with flowers, lanterns, and intricate designs made from rice flour. A sacred Thal is prepared with items like:
- Unhusked rice (representing abundance)
- Bread (symbolizing nourishment)
- Coin and rupees (prosperity and good fortune)
- Pen case (knowledge and wisdom)
- Curd (purity and sweetness)
- Cooked rice (gratitude and blessings)
- Flowers (beauty and fragrance)
- Walnuts (prosperity and good health)
- Jantri (almanac, symbolizing the cycle of time)
- New (Hindu calendar)
These items are kept overnight and viewed first thing in the morning, seeking blessings for the new year. Each member picks up walnuts, which are later dropped in a river or sacred spring after bathing.
Before Navratra (Navreh), the auspicious day has been chosen for taking bath (Kalchalun in Kashmiri), especially for newly married women. Bath is to be taken in the parental home and they come with the salt pack (noon), Athur, and some money (Adgat) on the same day or another day according to the convenience.
The same is followed on Zang Trai, third day of Navreh. Every lady wears new clothes and married ones’ Athur, which is considered as one of the sacred and auspicious. Sons-in-law of the family are invited and a sumptuous feast is honoured in his honour. Son-in-law and daughter are blessed with Adgat (money) and noon lifaf (packed salt), which is popularly known as Zang (Shagun).
The celebrations involve traditional practices like Kalchalun, strengthening family bonds and showcasing the community’s rich culinary expertise through various delicious dishes . Navreh marks the beginning of the Kashmiri New Year, a time for introspection and spiritual growth. People visit temples, offer prayers, and seek blessings for the upcoming year. These customs reflect the community’s deep-rooted traditions and values. |
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