Mukhtar Ahmad Qureshi
Eid-ul-Adha or Bakr Eid is one of the biggest Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated with deep religious fervor, cultural diversity and high social cohesion in Kashmir. Given the very long history of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.)’s unflinching belief in Allah, Eid-ul-Adha in Kashmir is a blend of cultural, social and religious importance. It is an amalgamation of tradition, family, religion and festivities in a subdued yet potent combination that infuses everything all across the hills and valleys of this lovely land.
The spiritual essence
Eid-ul-Adha is to remember the greatest act of obedience by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) when Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail (A.S) as a show of obedience. As a reward for obedience, Allah provided him with a ram in place that he should kill. On this basis, Qurbani (sacrifice) began, which is celebrated by Muslims today all across the globe.
In Kashmir, the day opens with recitation of Takbeerat and morning congregation prayers in Eidgahs, open spaces, mosques or shrines like Hazratbal, Khankah-e-Moula and Dargah Sharif. The devotees gather in thousands, wearing clean or freshly washed clothes, heads bent in supplication and hearts brimming over with thankfulness. The sermon read during prayer usually addresses sacrifice, mercy and concord among mankind.
Pre-Eid preparations
Preparations for Eid-ul-Adha in Kashmir begin days ahead for the festival. Bazaars of towns and cities like Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore, Anantnag and Kupwara come to life and are filled with activity. Livestock bazaars are full of people who are hurrying to purchase sheep and goats for Qurbani. There is attention to choose the sacrificial animal with caution, that it is healthy and is according to religious tradition.
Tailors, baker shops and shops are booming into business. Women make traditional foodstuffs, clean houses and adorn rooms with enthusiasm. Kids look forward to new clothes and Eidi (pocket money or gift from the elders).
Sacrifice and distribution
Qurbani sacrifice is the crux of Eid-ul-Adha. In Kashmir, the sacrifice is done in a state of faith and social consciousness. The community sacrifices immediately upon returning from Eid prayers, typically in the courtyard or designated area.
It reserves one third for the family, one third for friends and relatives and a third for the needy and poor. This action enhances the spirit of brotherhood and makes sure that the celebration of Eid reaches all strata of society, particularly the poor.
It is a sight Kashmiri to see little boys helping break up the meat, transporting in tidy sized portions swathed under plastic or clothing of tradition. Even the spirit of sacrifice is translated into compassion and goodwill.
Traditional dishes and culinary delights
The Eid in Kashmir would be incomplete without the ceremonial banquet. Locally found foods with spices and taste add to the very center of it. Rista (meatballs in red gravy), Gushtaba (meatballs in yogurt gravy), Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Kabab and Tabaq Maaz along with aromatic rice or naan, are offered. Wazwan, the legacy of the cuisine of Kashmir, will find a place in family banquets that never end.
Kashmiri Kahwa or Noon Chai (pink salt tea) is served at family reunions. The fragrance of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon and saffron pervades homes and the hospitality of Kashmiri people is evident in their warm and generous serving.
Family gatherings are the core of festivities. Family members gather at each other’s houses, exchange Eid Mubarak, sweets and warm praying. Grandparents pray for the kids and give Eidi in return for love.
Community cohesion is very prominent, particularly in rural settings. Sacrifices are likewise typically managed by community committees and mosques, particularly for poor families that cannot even make animal sacrifices. NGOs and other youth organizations also give out food and clothing to the poor.
Social media has added a new dimension to the celebrations of Eid in the past few years. People post pictures in clothes that are traditional to their area, exchange Eid wishes and wish near and dear ones at distant locations.
Eid-ul-Adha in changing times
Where traditional values persisted, Eid-ul-Adha celebrations in Kashmir have witnessed the process of gradual transformation through urbanization, nature sensitivity and global awareness. People have become more aware regarding cleanliness and hygiene during the sacrificial time and more people have shifted to group or organized Qurbani through local welfare agencies.
Eid-ul-Adha in Kashmir is not just a religious duty but an emotional and cultural one. It tells tales of devotion, acts of philanthropy and festivities that reverberate in the valleys for days. From the dawn devotional reflection to the breakfast meal at night, from the children’s laughter in new clothes to the old people’s reverberant prayers Eid-ul-Adha in Kashmir is a lovely performance of faith, custom and belonging.
(The author hails from Boniyar, Baramulla and can be reached at [email protected])
