Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

A kashmiri Kandur is a conventional bread maker who bakes various variety of breads in a clay tandoor oven. There is an intrinsic connection between Kandur and Kashmiri culture. Kandurs are spread throughout the length and breadth of the valley. They make use  clay tandoor and burn fire of woods to bake variety of breads. The shops of Kandur are called Kandurwan. The kandurwans are not only just the shops which sell variety of breads but it is social place where people assemble and discuss current news and social issues. It can be said to be a social place for gossips and conversations as well as interactions. There is a great cultural significance of Kandru’s in kashmiri culture and identity. Kashmiris start their day by morning tea especially none chai with which they eat Lavas, Girda, Teelworu etc. With the militancy and migration of the Kashmiri Pandits to Jammu and other places, the Kashmiri Kandur-the bread makers have also set up their Tandoor in various parts of Jammu where...

In good old days the Kashmiri society was familiar and accustomed to traditional fire stove called in Kashmiri parlance as Daan.It was then found in every kashmiri household and the womenfolk generally used to cooking on the dan and Kashmiris' were familiar with the Daan. Firstly Daan was used to cook variety of foods and cuisines and it also was used for the purpose of warmth and thus the secondary use of the Daan was providing heat during the severe and harsh winters.In Kashmiri households members of the household and especially the children used to assemble near Dan and enjoyed sipping nun chai and it was an everyday experience. But with the advancement in science and technology new and ever new tools for cooking food were invented and Kashmiri's like other people of other parts of India used stove, and then gas stove to cook food and with the advent of moder means of cooking ,the traditional Daan has almost disappeared from Kashmiri society and milieu and it is a matter of ...

                                      (Image courtesy: Internet)                                                         Culture, craft,  roots heritage and religion does not die as these re-merge after a long or short gap.The same is true of the conventional and traditional matting which had been lost in oblivion but has re-emerged on the horizon of Kashmir and it is a matter of satisfaction that old things re-surface and Vagu is one among them. The revival of Kashmir’s Vagu, the traditional handwoven reed mat, is much more than the return of a household item.It represents the revival of an indigenous craft ,a sustainable lifestyle  and a cultural tradition  that had almost disappeared  under the pressure of modern synthetic products o...

                                                                                    Maa Sharika is the most revered deity of the Kashmiri Pandits. She is worshipped as the eternal protector of Kashmir, the embodiment of divine wisdom (Shakti) and the presiding goddess of the Kashmir valley. Devotion to Maa Sharika forms one of the oldest and most enduring spiritual traditions of Kashmir. The patron goddess of the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community is Maa Sharika Devi, one of the most revered manifestations of the Divine Mother. She is regarded as the spiritual guardian [Kuladevi] of the Kashmiri Pandits and has been worshipped in Kashmir for centuries. Her, principal shrine is situated on the sacred Hari Parbat hill in Srinagar. Maa Sharika is believed to be an incarnation of th...

                                Kashmiri Hindus, widely known as Kashmiri Pandits, are the inheritors of an ancient, refined, and profoundly rich cultural legacy that stretches back thousands of years. Their civilization, rooted in wisdom, spirituality, and scholarship, has withstood the test of time despite immense historical upheavals. Even in the face of migration and forced displacement from their homeland of Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits have demonstrated remarkable resilience by preserving their customs, traditions, rituals, and festivals with unwavering devotion. Their ability to retain a distinct cultural identity while remaining an integral part of the broader and eternal Sanatan Dharma reflects both their strength and their deep spiritual anchoring. Among the many festivals celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits, Gan Choudha holds a special place. This sacred occasion, which corresponds to Ganesh Chaturdashi, ...

Early Life and Childhood days:- Zinda Kaul, a prominent literary figure in Kashmiri literature, is lovingly referred to as "Masterji" by both students and friends. He was born in August 1884 in Habbakadal, a neighborhood in Srinagar, with a Kashmiri Pandit background and a difficult childhood. His father, Lakshman Pandit, seemed indifferent to Kaul's schooling, so he self-educated out of sheer will. The struggles he faced as a young man deepened Kaul's commitment to self-education and expressing his thoughts through language and poetry. Kaul's first profession was a school teacher, where he earned the respect and admiration of his students, who fondly referred to him as "Masterji," a name that stayed with him throughout his life. Kaul's years of teaching were formative in developing his character and literary sensibility. He was remarkably connected to his students, and he had a rare insight into human nature and its sentiments through his relationsh...

The Chinar tree, known locally as "Bouin," is an essential part of Kashmir's cultural and ecological heritage. It significantly influences the region's identity, culture, and environmental health. Historically, these trees have drawn many tourists, particularly in autumn when their leaves transform into stunning shades of red, yellow, and orange. The Chinar has adorned the landscape of Kashmir for centuries with some trees reporting to be over 600 years old. The oldest known Chinar, on the outskirts of Srinagar, is estimated to have reached approximately 650 years old. The facts presented demonstrate the significance of the Chinar tree as embodied in its continuous requirement for protection now regarded not merely as a natural treasure but also as reflecting the rich heritage of Kashmir. By January 2025, more than 28,500 Chinar trees had been identified and surveyed throughout the length and breadth of the Kashmir Valley. The data collected encompassed precise geogra...

                                          The Yagyopavit ceremony is an essential ritual and sanskar among the 16 sanskars of Brahmins, and it is mandatory for all male children. In contrast, girls are exempt from wearing the sacred thread as a result of the Yagyopavit ceremony. However, it is important to note that our religious scriptures do not prohibit the Yagyopavit ceremony for girls. The texts state that girls have the same right as boys to participate in this thread ceremony. In the Kashmiri Pandit community, the Yajñopavita ceremony, also known as Upanayana, is a significant ritual for young boys, marking their initiation into formal education and the study of sacred texts, particularly the Vedas. This ceremony holds particular cultural and religious importance within the Kashmiri Pandit tradition. According to the Hareet Sanhita and Prashar Sanhita, women are categorized in...

Harud: The Golden Season of Harvest and Beauty in Kashmir:- This beautiful time coincides with the harvest and draws in many nature lovers. The people of Kashmir eagerly anticipate the arrival of this season, which is beyond words in its beauty. It is this captivating beauty that led former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to visit Kashmir in October 1984, seeking to witness the charm of Harud and the falling Chinar leaves. Harud is a delightful season that attracts visitors from near and far. It is a time for harvest, community gatherings, and preparing for the cold winter ahead. This season is a celebration of the fruits of the farmers' labor throughout the year.         Apple Orchards and Paddy Fields: Prosperity Painted in Red and Gold  During this period, farmers are engaged in cutting and carrying home their paddy crop. During Harud, the apple orchards have red apples all over, and the trees seem to sag under the weight of the fruit. Harud brings with it ...

Nethar in Kashmiri is nothing but nakshatra in Sanskrit. So kah nethar would be the ceremony celebrating the constellation (nakshatra) on the eleventh day. Likewise, nethar for marriage is again an indirect word representing the corresponding astral sign, an auspicious beginning. The correct name for marriage is vivaha. The commonly used Hindi term shadi is totally incorrect because it is a Persian word that means happiness or celebration. Any celebration is shadi.  Kah-naether is known as Jatakaram Samskar and is one of such vedic samskaras as Namkaran Samskar or Mundan Samskar. This samskara is held on the eleventh day or, as you have said, on the eleventh nakshatra from the nakshtra of a child's birth, hence the name kah-naether. It is akin to baptism - a ritualistic propitiation of deities and the acceptance of a new-born child into the family fold or gotra. It is considered to be a very important samskara because no hom, havan, yagnya, shradha or pind-dana can be performed by ...

Samovar is a cultural icon tracing its roots back to nineteenth century Russia; it has seen a long passage through history to become a vital part of many cultures. Samovar is derived from two Russian words:"sama" meaning "self" and "varit" meaning "to boil"; thus, in essence, Samovar is a self-boiling pot. This traditionally was a household item in Russia but its history stretches far beyond. This renowned item, closely related to copper material, is now part of several cultures, each appealing with unique identity on it. It tells the story of togetherness, warm hospitality, and the art of tea-making; Samovar thus has become a symbol of interwoven threads of tradition and innovation. Kashmiri tradition is distinct from that of others since it fashionably decorates its samovars, often with fancy engravings. Design and Structure  The elegant silhouette of Samovar is complemented by ornate handles and embellishments, thus making it a prized possessi...

     Chinar Trees turn yellow/Golden/Reddish in autumn                   BOO’EN God’s Firey Showpiece It is believed that Hazrat-e-Ameer-e-Kabri, Mir Sayeed Ali Hamdani-RA is credited with the origin of many things including Chinar tree called in Kashmiri Boo’en. Boo’en is also spelled as Bouen. It in fact has come from Sanskrit word Bhawani. It is said that Boo’en have been first planted by Syed Qasim Shah Hamdani RA companion of Shah-e-Hamdan RA. Boo’en is the part and parcel of Kashmiri culture. It attracts a good number of tourists especially in autumn. The leaves of Chinar trees in Kashmir during autumn season turn into yellow, red and fall from the trees and also turn earth below yellow and red .During the autumn season it has a great appeal as it turns totally reddish and resembles as if it is on fire. It is a sight worth seeing and beautiful and tourists and the local kashmiris take great pleasure in observing the china...

                                                 Photo Source: Internet              Kashmiri Pandits have a distinct, unique and peculiar cultural identity and heritage in the broad spectrum of Sanatan Dharma. The KP’s attire, dress and ornaments are very distinct and these are traditional and from these symbols their cultural identity finds expression. It is every body’s knowledge that Kashmiri Pandits migrated in 1989-90 and thereafter because of militancy they took refuge in Jammu and other states of India. But the minuscule Kashmiri Pandit community needs commendation that despite their exile they have somehow preserved their traditional culture and heritage albeit with some modification here and there. Not only their attire and dress used to be different but their food habits and cuisines too are different and the KP commun...

  Kangri- The darling of every Kashmir                       (Image source: Internet) It is said and rightly so that necessity is the mother of invention and some foresighted man in the ancient past may had invented Kangri .It has become a darling of every Kashmiri in winter and it warms and protects him /her from the severe cold. Kangri gives warmth ,during calm, cloudy and cold days of winter called Wandah and Shishur seasons in Kashmir .The Kangri has a special importance for ruralites as well as urban people. The farmer takes Kangri round the year in fields and use huka with the help of Kangri embers. A puff of huka provides respite to the farmer from the hard work .A city walla, makes use of kangri in his kitchen and home. Kangri consists of two parts, one earthen pot called in kashmiri as ‘kundal and its wicker cover of various ordinary and beautiful designs and colors. Kangri is portable and is carried to any place..Ka...