Srinagar, Feb 26: Maha Shivratri, locally known as Herath, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Kashmir on Wednesday, as Kashmiri Pandits performed night-long prayers in honor of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival witnessed large gatherings at temples across the Valley.
The biggest congregation took place at Srinagar’s historic Shankaracharya Temple, overlooking Dal Lake. Devotees also thronged Ganpatyar Temple in Habba Kadal and Hanuman Temple in Amira Kadal, offering special prayers and performing rituals.
Many devotees, after paying obeisance at Shankaracharya Temple, visited the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal. “We prayed for peace and prosperity in Kashmir and the entire world,” said a devotee, Rakesh Koul, who visited both temples.
Kapil Raina, a Kashmiri Pandit, expressed his joy at the overwhelming greetings received from Muslim neighbours. “The spirit of brotherhood in Kashmir is truly heartwarming. The well-wishes from our Muslim brothers make this festival even more special,” he said.
Authorities made elaborate arrangements for the festival, ensuring the smooth conduct of rituals. The temples resonated with Vedic chants as worshippers offered milk, ghee, bel leaves, and water to the Shivlingam.
Herath holds immense cultural significance for Kashmiri Pandits, who prepare traditional delicacies, including fish, to mark the divine union of Shiva and Parvati. A key custom of the festival is the distribution of soaked walnuts, symbolizing reverence for Hindu deities.
The downpour on the eve of Herath was seen as a positive omen by devotees. “Rain on this day is a sign of divine blessings. It fills our hearts with joy and strengthens our belief that communal harmony in Kashmir will continue to grow,” said Rohit Raina, a resident of Rajbagh.
The festival concluded with devotees offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and harmony in the valley reaffirming their cultural and spiritual roots in Kashmir.
Meanwhile the auspicious occasion was marked by prayers, celebrations and spirituality across Jammu region also with devotees of Lord Shiva thronging Shiv temples in large numbers since early morning.
Although all the temples of Lord Shiva across Jammu witnessed heavy rush of devotees, the Aap Shambu temples of Jammu were thronged by thousands. Long queues were witnessed in Aap Shmabu temples at Nagrota, Roop Nagar, Panjtirthi, Reasi, Ranbireshawar Temple, Purmandal and other temples across Jammu.
In Jammu City, the historic Ranbireshwar Temple at Shalamar witnessed a very heavy rush of devotees since early morning.
The devotees offered ‘Bhel Patri’, milk, honey, Bhangh to Lord Shiva and prayed for well being and prosperity.
Langars offering Prasad to the devotees were set up in different areas of Jammu. At many places, devotees danced to the drum beats chanting ‘Har-Har Mahadev’.
A festive mood was witnessed across Jammu today with devotees organizing satsang in different temples of Jammu. The celebrations of Mahashivratri in different temples of Jammu will continue throughout the night.
