Customs and Ceremonies among Kashmiris

Kashmiris, though following different religions, more or less belong to the same stock. Therefore, many of their traditions, customs and ceremonies and even dresses bear many resemblances. Now many of their rituals and ceremonies have undergone a lot of changes due to modern education and outside influences. All the same many customs and ceremonies continue to be followed. (URL)

For eleven days after a Kashmiri Pandit child is born, the family and the near relatives cannot perform any religious ceremonies. On the eleventh day a purification ceremony or kanether is performed: The mother and the child leave the room and a havan is performed and the child is given a name. The bath is known as shran sundar.

The hair-cutting ceremony is called zara kasai. A havan is performed and the relatives and friends are invited to a feast.

The yajnopavit or sacred thread ceremony is a most important one. It is performed by Kashmiri Pandits before a boy attains the age of twelve years, though now this age limit is not adhered to. Few days before the ceremony the garnavol (levan, house cleaning), manzrat (dyeing the boy's hands with henna) and divagon (bath and anointment ceremonies) are performed. On the thread ceremony day a big havan is performed and a sacred thread is put round the head of the boy by the Guru. He then becomes a true Brahmin. From his relations and friends who are present, he begs alms and the collected money is offered to the Guru. The women sing songs after garnavol (house cleaning). On the following day the main ceremony called kushalhome is performed and the guests return to their homes.

The marriage ceremonies also begin with garnavol or house cleaning. Then there is mehndirat and divagon. On the wedding day, the bridegroom is dressed in achkan and a pyjama and puts on a rose-coloured turban but now some persons prefer to wear a western suit. A procession is formed in the courtyard of his house, where he stands on, what is called, vyug (figure of mystic signs drawn in coloured clays). The oldest woman in the house comes out and waves lighted lamps in a circle round his head. The bridegroom and the party then go to the house of the bride. There too the same vyug ceremony is performed.

The lagan or nuptial ceremonies are performed after the marriage party is given a feast by the father of the bride. In the lagan ceremony the bridegroom and the bride, with their hands joined together, walk round the lighted fire seven times. Then after this lagan havan and the ceremony the bridegroom and the bride go to the former's house.

Marriage between boys and girls is generally performed after their twentieth year. Middleman gets the horoscope of the boy and if it tallies with that of the girl then the assent is given by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom who are the final authority in setting the marriage. Of course, the health, education and economic position of both the families is first ascertained by each side before the marriage takes place.

Most of the ceremonies connected with the death of a Kashmiri Pandit are similar to those performed by the Brahmins of India. The dead body is washed and wrapped in white clothes specially made for the day and the shroud. A brief shrada ceremony is performed before the body is taken for cremation.

At the cremation ground the ceremony takes many hours. Before the dead body is placed on pyre, a nirvana ceremony with invocations to the Brahmins is performed. The funeral pyre is lit by the son of the dead person or by his nearest relative. After the dead body is consumed by the fire, the mourners assemble and go round a fire lighted at the ghat when everyone has had a bath. On the tenth day a shrada ceremony is performed at the ghat by the son or any other relative who shaves his head. On the 11th and 12th day again shradas are performed and then every month for the first year. After this yearly shradas are performed. The priests get cash and kind in charity on all these days.

On all the religious festivals Kashmiri Pandits perform ceremonies. The most important of these festivals is Shivratri. It commences from the first day of the dark fortnight. Though now the days have been curtailed. On the 13th day the head of the family keeps a fast and worships Lord Shiva. The walnuts, consecrated at the main worship of Lord Shiva, are distributed among the relatives and friends.

Then there are other festivals like Sont or the Spring Festival performed on 15th of March every year. Nowreh or the New Year's day falls on the first day of the bright fortnight of Chet (March-April). Baisakhi is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits as in other parts of India. A fair is held at Ishabar where people bathe. On this day people enjoy themselves and go to the gardens on picnics. Jeth Ashtami or the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Jeth (May-June) is the birthday of the goddess Ragini. A fair is held at Kheer Bhawani, situated at the village of Tula Mula. Har Navami or the 9th day of the bright fortnight of Har (June-July) is the birthday ofthe goddess Sharika whose shrine is situated on the Hari Parbat hill in Srinagar. Pan is a ceremony performed in honour of goddess Lakshmi. On an auspicious day during the bright fortnight of Bhadun this day is celebrated. Dussehra is also celebrated as in other parts of India.