of the large number of festivals, a few social and the rest religious, falling almost once or twice a month, by far the most sacred and the greatest is Shivratri - ‘Heyrath’, for Kashmiri Pandits. 'Heyrath’, a distortion of the Persian word ‘Haerat’, meaning wonder. It is the biggest ‘Bode Doh’ of KP’s.
How the festival acquired the name ‘Heyrath’ has an interesting historical background. The festival is spread over a fortnight in Phagun Krishna Paksh. Kashmiri Pandits have been tormented for the last more than seven centuries by despotic rulers. One such ruler Jabbar Khan by name, who while persuading and persecuting KP’s to convert to Islam, sadistically and pervertedly decreed the festival be observed in the month of ‘Ashaar’ (June~July), the warmest months in the valley. KP’s were, therefore, coerced to reluctantly shift the festivities to the said month of ‘Ashaar’ (Haar, as Kashmiri’s call it). And lo and behold! On the day the festival was then observed, a fierce snow storm and cold descended on the valley, surprising not only the despotic Jabbar but also the KP’s themselves. To the ruler and the populace of the valley the climatic upheaval was incredulity, a Haerat, and the festival from that day acquired the name Heyrath. The ruler was so humbled by the cataclysm that he rescinded his firman and stopped tormenting Bata’s. The bard composed a verse to commemorate the miraculous occurrence which reads as follows
Shiva Lingam,Thanjavur - Tamil Nadu
Vuchhiton Jabaar jandie, Haaras banovun vandie.
(Look at the wretched Jabaar, he was responsible for winter descending in summer)
Heyrath is observed as elaborately as a marriage with more of gaiety and religious fervour, for verily, Shivratri is the celebration of marriage anniversary of Shiva and Parvati.
Heyrath is spread over a fortnight starting from the first day of the dark fortnight of Phagun. This day is called “Huriya oukdoh”. It is the day when the cleaning, mopping, washing and plastering of the house begins. It is akin to “Livun” in a marriage. The chore is completed on ‘Huriya Aethum’ - 8th day of the fortnight. This is followed by the ladies bathing themselves. Newly weds go to their parents` houses and come back bedecked, groomed and laden with gifts on the tenth day - called “dyare-dahum”, the day when all other ladies receive gifts (Heyrutch Boge) from their parent’s houses. ‘Dyare-dohum’ is followed by ‘Gade Kah’ – the eleventh day when fish in large quantities is purchased cleaned, fried and some cooked and most kept aside for a big day, ‘Heyratse Truvah’.
Gade Kah’ is followed by ‘Vagure Bah’. On this day the ‘Thokur Kuth’ (Thakur Ji’s room) is bedecked and ‘Vagur’ is placed in the room. The ‘Vagur’ comprises a large earthen or metallic pitcher (representing Shiva), a smaller pitcher (representing Parvati), three ‘Sanivaris’, three ‘Rishi Duljis’, ‘Dhupazoor’, ‘Sanepatul’ etc. representing Shiva’s Dwarpals, and bridegroom’s party- Baratis- (spirits and ghosts) and various other deities. The pitchers are filled with fresh water and walnuts. This whole ensemble is called the ‘Vatuk’, the principal pitcher ‘Vatuk raaza’.
The main festival day is ‘Heyrutche truvah’ when the head of the family keeps a fast. The ladies are agog what with cooking delicacies, helping the head of the family in arranging ‘Samgrihi’ (material) for the oncoming evening Pooja and meeting the demands of the boisterous children. The Pooja starts with guruji’s arrival – guruji, whose day starts early in the morning and ends almost next day morning for he has to go and perform Pooja in each of his Yajman’s houses. The Pooja, an elaborate one, where incense wafts thick in the house and hymns and leelas pervade the atmosphere, culminates with ‘Shankh Naad’ and ‘Ganta Naad’. All members of the family join the final ‘Aarti’. After the ‘Prasad’ the head of the family breaks the fast and all members of the family join him in the feast. The delicacies cooked on this day are as per each family’s ‘reet’ (custom) which can be changed only if there has been an addition of a member in the family, viz. marriage of a son/ daughter, birth of a child etc. during the past year.
Heyracha Truvah’ is followed by ‘Salaam’ when all wish Happy Shivratri (Heyrach Mubarak) to each other in the family and to friends. Friends from other communities, bards and musicians, jugglers, mendicants and beggars visit the house for a generous dole. The head of the family has his pocket full of currency and coins of all denominations to be given as ‘Herach Kharach’ to each member of the family and as alms to whosoever asks. On this day he is generously personified. ‘Salaam, is also a day of feasting with dishes flavoured with condiments whose appetizing aroma is all pervading. Relatives and friends are also invited to lunch or dinner on this day.
Fifteenth day is ‘Dooniya Maavas’. The water in all the pots is drained out in a bucket as ‘Nirmaal’ to be piously disposed off in a river, spring or around a tree. The walnuts are washed. Rice Pan cakes (‘chuchi vere’) are baked. ‘Preypuen’ of the walnuts and ‘chuchi vere’ is performed and ‘prasad’ is taken by all the members of the family. Then starts the distribution of ‘Naveed’ among relatives, friends, neighbors which could go on for the next week or more. The number of walnuts and ‘chuchi vere’ (bakers’ ‘chuchi’ in special cases) to each relative depends on the status, importance and the sensitivities of the relation.
Heyrath’ is a festival which more than anyone, children look forward to eagerly. They enjoy the festival the most. During this fortnight the children prance around jingling their pockets, pouches or bags full with cowries (’Haare’). Playing with each other they create such a pleasant racket that even elders cannot resist joining in the game (gamble). Heyrath is the festival of homecoming for such members of families who are employed away from their homes. They look forward to the day as keenly as the rest of the family for this is the day to embrace one’s loved ones and together invoke blessings of Parmashiv. Namah shivay!