Navreh celebrations conclude with 'havan'

Tribune News Service

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Srinagar, March 25

Ram Navami was celebrated with traditional fervour in the Kashmir valley on Sunday. As per the past practice, Kashmiri Pandits held nightlong ‘havans’ at different temples that marked the end of the Navreh celebrations.

“Nightlong havans were performed at different temples while puja was also held in morning. Ram Navami marks the end of Navreh (Navratra) celebrations in Kashmir,” said Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir (HWSK) president Chunni Lal Bhat.

“The Navreh celebrations are simple and distinct in Kashmir. Besides holding puja, we also fast for nine days during Navreh and do not eat non-vegetarian food. Traditionally, we grow barley once Navreh starts that is watered with milk for nine days at our households,” he said.

He said on Ram Navami, the ‘visarjan’ of the barley plants was done at nearby rivers, usually Jhelum. He said they believed that a ‘good plant’ grown after nine days signified a good year ahead. Similarly, Bhat said a ‘bad plant’ did not augur well for the coming year.