Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Feb 25: Ahead of Maha Shivratri (Herath), special government-organised markets have been set up across Srinagar and other parts of the valley, ensuring that Kashmiri Pandits can easily access essential items for the festival.
The Department of Horticulture, Planning, and Marketing has established special Maha Shivratri mobile stalls, while the Fisheries Department has opened trout sale outlets in various locations across Srinagar and the valley.
Markets in Lal Chowk, Habba Kadal and other key areas witnessed increased footfall as shoppers purchased traditional festival items like dry fruits, (walnuts, almonds, saffron), Ndru (lotus stems), Haak (collard greens) and fish, particularly trout.
A Kashmiri Pandit shopper at a Srinagar market expressed joy over the arrangements, saying, “Herath holds deep significance for us, and it’s heartening to see these special stalls set up to make our traditional items easily available.”
Local vendors were also enthusiastic about serving their customers, with one saying, “Every year, Kashmiri Pandits buy specific items for Herath. We ensure they get the best quality products to keep their traditions alive.”
Celebrated on the 13th day of the dark half of Phalguna (February–March), Herath holds immense religious and cultural importance for Kashmiri Pandits. Despite mass migration, the community continues to celebrate the festival with devotion and enthusiasm.
“Herath has always been a time of togetherness. No matter where we are, we celebrate it with the same spirit as our ancestors,” said a Kashmiri Pandit resident.
Syed Inayat Hussain, from the Department of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, who was supervising a stall at Lal Chowk, said the horticulture department conducts such events every year for our Kashmiri Pandit brothers on this auspicious occasion.
“We are providing traditional eatables like walnuts, saffron, honey, and Nadru on a no-profit, no-loss basis to ensure their availability throughout Kashmir,” he said.
