Salaam Mubarak, Smell the Marigold…..

Nipa Charagi

The day after Shivratri, Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Salaam. Till three decades ago, it was a day when their Muslim friends and neighbours would greet them. All that has changed now.

Herath is the biggest festival of Kashmiri Pandits, marked by a night of praying followed by a day of feasting. Some say “herath” means the night of Shiva, others say the word comes from the Persian word hairat, which means to be surprised.

In Kashmir, which the Pandits were forced to flee three decades ago, the preparations would start a fortnight earlier in the lunar month of Phalguna and usually marked the end of intense winter, called chilai kalan. The first week was devoted to washing, dusting and cleaning the house, like the intense flurry of activity leading up to Diwali. All the windows in the house would be flung open, as if to dislodge the winter from its cosy corners. Every rug and carpet would be dusted, slicing the sharp, cold winter air with a whack sound. In traditional houses, the earthen floors and stairs would be swept with a fresh coat of earth.

Next, the paraphernalia required for the puja, called vatuk puja, would be collected. A vital element of this is the earthen/metal pots, which are filled with dry walnuts, flowers and water. The big pot denotes Shiva, the other one Parvati. These are surrounded by an assortment of vessels, also filled with water and walnuts. These pots and vessels are draped in marigold flowers, bael (wood apple) leaves and red thread. 

Unlike most other parts of the country where Shivratri is celebrated on the 14th day, Kashmiris offer puja on the 13 night of Phalguna. The 14th day is Salaam, a Persian word which means “hello”. It is the day to socialise, greet your relatives and neighbours.

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