Shivratri

In the heart of India, Maha Shivratri is celebrated with devotion and grandeur, embraced by all but especially cherished by Kashmiri Pandits. Every year, on the 14^th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna, as the waning moon casts its gentle glow, the festival awakens. While the world often observes it in February or March, few realize that every month holds a Shivratri — a smaller reflection of this grand celestial celebration — with Maha Shivratri being the most revered.

Fasting, prayers, and meditative devotion often shape the day, yet Maha Shivratri offers a deeper spiritual significance. Popular belief suggests it marks the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati — a beautiful yet simplified tale. In truth, it commemorates the day Lord Shiva manifested as a column of infinite light, transcending beginning and end. This cosmic phenomenon, known as Hiranyagarbha — the golden womb of creation — is celebrated in scriptures like the Bhagwat, chronicled long before recorded time.

For Kashmiri Pandits, the celebration is not just a remembrance of divine union but also of cosmic balance. They are the custodians of ancient knowledge — a legacy passed down through millennia. The women of this community, in particular, possess an intricate understanding of the cosmos, mapping celestial patterns through the Shreeyantra and the 14 Bhuwans — a feat unmatched by even the most advanced scientific pursuits.

While the modern world relies on billion-dollar investments for astronomical calculations, Kashmiri Pandits have relied on the Jantri, a humble yet astonishingly accurate annual almanac. With a precision refined over 5,000 years, the Jantri predicts solar and lunar events to the very second. The ancient Vichar Naag gatherings brought together Vedic astronomers to chart the course of the cosmos — a practice that even earned the acknowledgment of the esteemed Shankaracharya, who once conceded to the brilliance of a 16-year-old Kashmiri girl.

To many, Maha Shivratri is a celebration of love; to the Pandits, it is a commemoration of creation itself. Through Vatuk Puja, they honour the universe’s genesis. The walnut, a symbol central to the ritual, embodies the cosmos — its partitions representing the diversity of existence held within the singular shell of creation. Just as the universe is bound by the enigmatic force of Shiva, the black hole that consumes and creates anew, the walnut represents unity in diversity.

Yet, the echoes of this tradition grow faint. Few remain who can perform the rituals, and recordings of ancient chants replace once-living memories. The near-extinct community clings to its legacy with pride and sorrow. These are the descendants of sages who gifted Shaivism to the world through the writings of Abhinavagupta, laid the foundations of performing arts through the Natya Shastra, and advanced knowledge in medicine, science, and astronomy. Today, they stand as the last keepers of a language, a heritage, and a profound understanding of existence.

Still, resilience endures. On Dwadashi or Triyodashi — the 12^th or 13^th day of Krishna Paksha — Kashmiri Pandits perform the Vatuk Puja at home. The sacred fire of the hawan rises, carrying prayers to the heavens. Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati are honoured, surrounded by divine guardians and attendants. Each offering is a tribute — not simply to a wedding, but to the eternal dance of the cosmos itself.

Kashmiri and other cultures have different ways of celebrating Shivratri Pooja.

In Kashmiri Shaivism, Maha Shivratri is also known as ‘Herath’ (Kashmiri adaptation of the Sanskrit word for hara ratri meaning ‘Night of Hara’ —which is another name for Lord Shiva)

As Maha Shivratri descends once more, let us not only celebrate but remember. In the boundless night, the light of Shiva remains — eternal, infinite, and ever radiant.

Following all the steps of the karmakānda as prescribed in the Vedic system can take anywhere between 4 to 8 hours. Below is an image of the altar set-up.

Let’s explore the setup in detail.

The first step of Vatak Puja is Āchamaniyam (Purification), performed by taking three sips of water while worshiping Vishnu. This is typically followed by lighting a lamp and incense sticks. Next, Lord Ganesha is invoked to remove obstacles. Finally, after Prānāyama (Breath Control), Sankalp, and Aasan Puja, the Kalash is worshipped.

1. Kalash
   The Kalash symbolizes abundance and wisdom. Hindu deities like Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Lakshmi are often depicted holding a Kalash. Many devotees consider it a personification of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Gauri Devi, the goddess of household bounty. In most Hindu rituals, an Indra-Kalash is used for gods, while a Brahma-Kalash is reserved for ancestor rituals (Pitr-Puja). However, for Shivratri, the Brahma-Kalash is specifically used. The Kalash is traditionally guarded by six deities, as shown in the image.
2. Naout
   Naout (pronounced no-v-t) symbolizes Lord Shiva.
3. Chvoud (च्वौड़)
   Chvoud represents Maa Parvati and is sometimes referred to as Ram-Guadd.
4. Dulu (डुलू)
   The Dulu is a pot used to offer food, which is kept throughout the Shivratri celebrations. Since the rituals conclude on Amavasya (15^th day), the food remains in this pot until then.
5. Kshetrapal (क्षेत्रपाल)
   The word Kshetrapal comes from Kshetra (area) and Pal (protector). These are the guardians of the space where the puja takes place. Since the celebrations last for 3 to 4 days, Kshetrapals protect the sacred area from negative energies. Few people know that the Kshetrapals of Vatak Puja are Herak Nath and Vatak Nath.
6. Pranit-Patra (प्रणित-पात्र)
   Pranit is a wooden or metallic spoon used to offer ghee and other items during the Hawan. The Patra is a vessel that holds this Pranit. Water used in the Hawan is kept in the Pranit-Patra, later used for Jiva-Daan (life offering) during the puja.
7. Shiv-Linga
   According to scriptures, Shivratri is also the day Lord Shiva manifested as the Shiv Lingam. Naturally, the Shiv Lingam becomes the focal point of worship on this sacred day.
8. Vari
   These smaller pots, typically four in number, represent Shivganas—Lord Shiva’s celestial attendants. It is believed that during the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati, the Shivganas joyfully accompanied Shiva’s procession (Baraat), dancing their way to Mata Parvati’s maternal home.
9. Lamps
   Two lamps are used during the Shivratri Pooja. One lamp is placed on the southern side near the Kshetrapals and is kept burning throughout the Shivratri celebrations. It remains undisturbed until the rituals conclude. The second lamp is used daily for the morning and evening poojas.
10. Rishi A pot symbolizing the revered Rishis (sages) is also placed during the pooja as a mark of respect.

All these pots, except the Kalash, are typically placed on seats made of dried paddy grass. These seats (Aasan) symbolize reverence and hospitality for the deities worshipped throughout the ceremony.

What we commonly refer to as Shivratri is actually Shivratri Eve. Hindus across India celebrate Shivratri on Triyodashi or Chaturdashi as per the lunar calendar. For us Kashmiri Pandits, the worship on this sacred occasion is dedicated to Bhairava Vataknath, hence it is called Vatak Puja.

In Kashmir Shaivism, a Bhairava is a being who, through intense sadhana (spiritual practice), has attained a status just below Lord Shiva. According to this philosophy, the highest state a being can achieve through sadhana is that of a Bhairava. In this state, the being possesses three of Lord Shiva’s five divine powers:

• Manifestation (सृष्टि )
• Maintenance (स्थित)
• Withdrawal (संहार)

Lord Shiva, however,  also holds two additional powers:

• Concealment (विलय)
• Divine Grace (अनुग्रह)

So far, eight Bhairavas have attained this exalted status, and Kashmir has dedicated temples to each of them, primarily located around Srinagar. Among them, Vataknath Bhairava is revered with immense devotion, receiving extensive worship on Maha Shivratri Eve.