Sunil Raina Rajanaka

Navavarsha is also known as Navreh among Kashmiri Hindus since Vedic times and is being celebrated with spiritual interest and exuberance. ‘Navreh’, which is the first day of the Saptrishi&VikramSamvitas, and also the first day of the spring, coincides with Chaitra Shukla Paksha ‘Navratras’. The litany of details is given in Bringesh Samhita and Nilmata Purana, the two ancient scriptures which emphasize the customs and rituals prevailing in Kashmir since ancient times.

In Bringesh Samhita a full chapter for Navreh celebrations is dedicated which is aiso known as Navarsotsava. The chapter mentions the dialogue between Shiva and Parvati, where Devi is keen to understand the importance of Time, cycle of evolution and dissolution. Shiva reveals that on Navreh one should worship creator Brahma who initiated the creation of this day with the first rays of the Sun shining on the world. Also worshipping five-faced Shiva, presiding deity of the family, along with Ganesh and Saraswati, brings spiritual merit and well-being. Shiva also divulges that one should wear new clothes, enjoy dance, pander in music and sports as this is the beginning of Kaal (Time) and that of the world. Kashmiri Hindus follow these rituals since ages, besides following injunction of looking at the plate full of assortment known in local parlance as “Thai Barun" Important custom of Thai Barun

On the eve of Navreh, an elderly lady of the household fills a big plate with unhusked rice. In this plate, various items like walnuts, bread, some cooked rice, a pen, a book, a bowl of curd, a few coins, gold ornament, salt, seasonal flowers, a piece of medicinal herb called ‘Vai’or Acorus Calamus, and a mirror are arranged. The yearly almanac and a picture of the presiding deity, known as ‘Kreel-Pach’find a prominent display in this rice-filled plate. Early in the morning of Navreh, well before sunrise, a female member of the family, usually a daughter, makes each and every member of the family have a look at this plate in their respective rooms. This ritual is known as ‘Buth-Vuchun’. The ritual of looking at the plate is said to bring good luck, good health, prosperity, wisdom, and fulfillment of wishes for the entire family. After this look at the plate, every elder member of the family puts some money in it, which is then taken by the girl as a pocket money.

Significance of items on the plate

Rice, the principle diet of Kashmiris, is a symbol of wealth and expansion. Cooked rice is a symbol of transformation and progression in life. It is considered a ‘prasad’ besides being the source of survival, signifying physical and mental growth. Curd is a symbolic representation for completeness, constancy and cohesiveness. Bread is a symbolic representation for engagement and amalgamation in one’s socio­cultural surrounding.

Walnuts indicate human and universal mind conjoined and four kernels of it represent the four purususharthas or what the Hindus consider to be the four objects or goals of existence - Dharma, (discharge of duty), Artha (acquirement of wealth), Kama (gratification of desire) and Moksha (final emancipation). A coin represents affluence and material strength. The gold ornament Is a symbol of purity and is considered auspicious. The medicinal herb indicates disease-free life and good health.

Flowers represent optimism, fragrance and sympathy in life. These are associated with the human life as no celebration is complete without these.

Flowers are also symbols for the ephemera of life. The pen is the symbol of wisdom, self-illumination, learning and brilliance. These strive for the power of knowledge and eradication of illiteracy. Salt, which is part of our day-to-day life, is to generate positive energy and also strive humans to develop a sense of Rasa in life. The almanac represents the influence of Time and that of planetary events in our life and, therefore, all activities are time-bound which underlines that Time should be respected and discipline should be followed in life. Pictorial representation in local arts, with a picture of the clan Devi, is indicative of the spiritual merit so as to achieve religious inclination and trust in Her grace. Mirror, due to its attribute of reflection, stands for multiplication of auspiciousness.

People take a look at the yearly almanac and listen to the forecast made therein regarding the astrological configuration and auspicious dates concerning them. People used to go to Hari Parvat in Srinagar and pay their obeisance to Goddess Chakreshwari reciting hymns and praying for a prosperous year as it is believed that Saptarishis assembled at this place praying to the Universal Goddess and thus starting the Saptrishi era.

On return, people gathered for the annual fair at freshly bloomed almond garden where families relished their local savory pakoras of lotus stems, puris and traditional kehwa. Finally, the families visited their near and dear ones wishing them Navreh Mubarak. .

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in the Article above are Sunil Raina Rajanaka’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.

 

Courtesy: Koshur Samachar April, 2018 and  Sunil Raina Rajanaka