Srinagar: Mahashivratri, the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma was celebrated throughout the Kashmir valle
y today with religious fervour and gaiety.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has greeted people on the occasion of the festival which is also known as ‘Herath’.
The fisheries department had made arrangements for sale of trout fish at different places in the Valley.
The Kashmiri pundits held night long prayers in their houses and visited Shiv temples since early this morning.
Muslims and people from other communities were seen greeting their Pandit brethren.
The Sivratri festival extends to about three weeks in Kashmiri Pandit households.
Each day has a special name and religious function which include social performances also. Some of the names are Akodah, Hurya Aatham, Dyara Daham, Vagarye Bah, Heracnia Truvah, Donya Mavas and Tila Aatham. On each day they have
different functions.
The festival begins on the first day of Phalgun Krishna Paksha and ends on the Amavasi day in Phalgun. In between there are numerous auspicious days like Hur Ashtami.
Walnuts, whose shape represents the universe, play an important part in Herath rituals. Walnuts are filled in earthen pots and it is then filled with water. The water is changed every day of the festivals.
A big earthen pot, two medium sized earthen pot, two small earthen pot, clay modelled to the shape of elephant trunk and seven bowls are used in the Herath ritual and they are known as ‘Watuk’.
The watuk represents Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Sapta Rishis and other deities.
Fasting is observed on this day and it comes to an end at night. The rituals come to an end on the Amavasaya day, which follows Shivratri. The puja items, flowers and pots are immersed in rivers and walntus are distributed as Prasad. (KMW NEWS)
