Srinagar,28-Feb; Maha Shivratri, locally known as ‘Herath’, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.Pandits paid obeisance at temples and offered Puja on the occasion. The biggest gathering on the festival was held at Shankaracharya Temple overlooking the Dal Lake in Srinagar.The special prayers were also held at Ganpatyar and Hanuman Temple at Amira Kadal in Srinagar throughout the day.The festival holds an important place among the Pandits, who celebrate it to mark the wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati by cooking traditional Kashmiri food, especially fish.On this festival, the Pandits distribute walnuts as a mark of respect to the Hindu deities. The temples were decorated with different colours and flowers.”The occasion is celebrated throughout J&K and has a special significance for Kashmiri Pandits,” said Chaman Lal, a Kashmiri Pandit.”Maha Shivaratri, locally known as Herath, calls for a night devoted to worship of Lord Shiva. This event happens to be in the intervening night of 13th and 14th of the month of Phagun Shivaratri, it holds immense value for Hindus and is a big day for the devotees of Lord Shiva,” he added.Ashok koul, another Kashmiri Pandit said that they were overwhelmed by the greeting messages received from Muslim brethren.He added that another unique factor of the festival in Kashmir was the space it provided to people of majority community to interact with the minority community. “One of the sweet tradition in our festival is Salaam, which we have always been proud of,” said koulThe day of Salaam, which is celebrated on the day after Shivratri has equal participation of Muslims. On this day every Muslim neighbour and friend visits the Pandit houses to congratulate them on the Shivratri and be part of the festivity. “Muslim neighbours start coming right from the day of Shivratri and on the day of Salam, it is at its peak,” said koul. “We sit together, eat and discuss society, life and everything in between.”An official said that Fishers Department and Horticulture department had made available fish and dry fruits, honey respectively at different stalls in Kashmir, including in the summer capital Srinagar.(CNS)
