Shivratri- Herath festive vibes 2025 in offing.

 Shivratri- Herath festive vibes 2025 in offing.

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 Kashmiri Pandits are profoundly religious people and have played a vital role in shaping their customs, rituals, rites, fasts, festivals, ceremonies, food habits and lot more. Kashmir is originally widely known as the birth place of Kashmir Shiviasm- a philosophy expounding the unity of Shiva and Shakti. Kashmiri Pandits are a community of Hindu Saraswat Brahamin considered to be one of the original inhabitants of Kashmir Valley with their history dating back to 5000 years.

Maha Shivratri also  known as Herath or Heyrath in Kashmiri language is the most popular festival of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. This holy  festival is not only being celebrated by Hindus all across the globe but it is celebrated with special fervor and enthusiasm by Kashmiri Pandits who consider Maha Shivratri as one of their main festivals  and celebrate this on grand scale in a unique and special way with full religious rituals and fervor.

Heyrath or Herath is a kashmiri word that has been derived from Har- Ratri meaning the night of Hara, another name for Lord Shiva. This holy festival of Hindus in general and Kashmiri Pandits in particular marks a time of intense devotion to Lord Shiva with special rituals, prayers and traditional food preparations. Herath also represents a significant part of Kashmiri Pandit's identity that connects them to their ancestral roots and spirituality. 

Shivratri in kashmiri language  is known as Heyrath or Herath and is the most important  festival for kashmiri Pandits  whose date of celebration is 25th of Febuary 2025. Herath is the 13th day of dark half of Phalgun month in Hindu calender. Maha shivratri festival or Herath signifies Lord Shiva's wedding with Goddess Parvati.

It is very important to mention here that Herath festival 2025 begins on the first day of Pahalgun Krishan Paksh i.e Febuary 13, 2025 and in between there are several auspicious days like Hur Astami falling on 21st Febuary 2025 & the main rituals of Herath/ Shivratri begins in Kashmiri Pandits on 25th of  febuary 2025. 

Wagur Bah is being observed on 24th Febuar,2025 and most important prayers (Puja/Archana) are held on Shivratri day (Shiv Chaturdashi) i.e 26th,Febuary 2025. The prayers culminate on the Amavasya day which is also called in kashmiri Pandits Doonya Amavasya falling on 27th of Febuary 2025. 

Herath Utsav 2025  Preparations :

The preparations for this Holy festival in Kashmiri Pandits start well in advance with full swing and in fact it is actually 14 day's celebration and the most important days are Thrathshi, Choutash, Amavas and Parva. It is also important to mention here also that first two weeks are reserved for preparation for this holy festival of Maha Shivratri/Herath. The houses and surroundings are thoroughly cleaned and earthen pots are specially purchased for Puja/Archana and before the start of usual prayers on the main day of Herath i.e. 2 days before Amavasya, many earthen pots or even steel or brass which represent Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and other Gods in Hindu Pantheon are purely and piously placed in the Puja room.

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are represented by two big pots and small pots represent other deities and Lord Shiva's attendants. These pots are filled with walnuts , water and decorated with beautiful fresh flowers. These pictchers are known as Vatuk and Shivratri Puja is known as Vatuk Puja in kashmiri pandits.

Sani Patul is a cone shapped clay figure which  is also worshipped as cosmic creation of Shiv Shakti in one emblem. Sani Patul is an attempt to represent the formless and then Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped and there is always singing of hymns and Aarti.  

On the main day of shivratri , people visit temples for prayers and spend time in worshipping. People also observe fast (upvas/vrat) or strict fast. The next day is meant for celebration and feasting and the Puja comes to end on the day of Amavasya and the day is called as Dunya Amavasya. The earthen pots representing various dieties are taken to nearby river or water body and immersed there but before immersion walnuts are removed from pots for distribution as a Prasad among kith and kins. 

Heyrath/Herath is also an occasion to socialize because friends and relatives visit each other's home and food items and Prasad are exchanged. Elders distribute money to youngesters which is called " Herath Kharch".

Conclude : 

Shivratri/ Heyrath festival is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits in a similar way as Hindus all over india observe Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja and Ponjal. Herath celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits is essentially their version of Maha Shivratri and this holy festival signifies a deep rooted devotion to Lord Shiva and serves as a  key to keep alive their  cultural identity deeply connected with their religous practices and traditions. 

The forceiful exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir valley 36 years back has affected the celebration of Herath badly but It is most important to mention here that despite their forceful displacement from their native place in Kashmir Valley, they have been able to preserve their heritige through this festival despite facing tough challenges and hurdles in last 36 years in exile for which they deserve appreciation in all its forms. In nut shell Herath represents a beacon of hope and cultural continuity for kashmiri Pandits which will go a long way in times to come no matter whatever the circumstance they may face, they will always continue to observe this holy festival with resilience and enthusiasm. 

This year also Kashmir Pandits are preparing themselves for celebration of Maha shivratri festival scheduled on 25th of Febuary 2025 and preparation in every household are  in full swing. 

Let's all pray whole heartedly this year to Lord Shiva on this  auspicious occasion Of Herath to end our 36 year's harsh exile period during which we all witnessed tremendous hardships, pain, struggle for survival and lot more agony. I would request all the community member  to share this blog maximum so that our young generation know  about their thousand years old culture, ethos  heritage  and civilization to serve it as beacon of light for them.

Team Panaromicspots wishes you all Herath Mubarak  today on 25th of Febuary 2025.

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