Zarmasatam Poshte

 

Shravan Purnima

On 3rd August 2020, was the Shrāvan Purnima, a particularly auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It marks the end of Shrāvan or Savan and ushers in Chaturmas, four months full of important festivals.

Shrāvan is celebrated differently in different parts of India but in Kashmir it holds a special significance. Kashmir is Lord Shiva and Mā Parvati's abode. It is said the Lord Shiva recited the story of immortality (Amar Kathā) to Devi Parvati after she questioned him on why He wore a Māla of skulls (Mündmala) around his neck. He told her that every time She is born, He adds a head to his Māla. As there are only three beings in the universe who know the story of immortality; the Trimurti; Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, no one else, even Gods were not allowed to hear Amar Katha as every one is required to take rebirth and regain their position which requires good Karma (virtues).

But Devi Parvati insisted on hearing Amar Katha, so Lord Shiva decided to go somewhere remote where no living being could overhear Him, the holy cave at Amarnāth.

*On way to Amarnath Cave, Lord Shiva left Nandi, The Bull, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon). At Chandanwari, he released the Moon from his hair (Jataon). On the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released his snakes. At Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Mountain), he left their son, Lord Ganesha. At Panjtarni, Lord Shiva left behind the five elements-  Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Lord Shiva performed the Tāndava dance. Finally, Lord Shiva entered Holy Amarnath Cave with Parvati and took Samādhi on a Deer Skin and started to tell her the story.

Mā Parvati was tired and fell asleep while Shiva was reciting the story but two pigeons in the cave overheard Him. To this day two white pigeons are sighted near the cave which is considered to be highly auspcious.

Amarnath yatra is completed today with 'Chadi Mubarak' when two maces representing Shiv and Shakti are carried ceremonially to the Amaranth cave where Vedic hymns are chanted and pooja performed by devotees.

Kashmiri Pandits perform Partheshwar Pooja (Rudrabhishek) today. Traditionally, a visit to the Shakracharya hill was customary where soil was collected. It was mixed with mercury to form Shivling, Bhagwati and Ganpati for pooja.

**(Lord's formation created from Prithvi so Paartheeshwar पृथ्वी + ईश्वर. We used to add mercury to the holy soil/clay and create Shiv Ling, Bhgawati and गणपति with this.)

It is said that Shiva is easily pleased so all I have done today is pour some Gangajal (water from the river Ganga). I am attaching a link on how to do a proper Rudrabhishek here.

https://youtu.be/mDIMoNANeo4

On this Day, according to Hindu Dharma these things are considered auspicious and bring good Karma:

●Feeding a cow, after taking a ritual snan (dip) in a river.

●Feeding an ant or fish, reminding us that the smallest of lives whether on earth or water have significance.

●Dān, especially donating a cow is considered auspicious.

●Dān to a Brahmin and feeding a Brahmin.(Brahmins were the repository of knowledge and left their worldly goods to pursue knowledge).

●It is tradition to change sacred thread, Janeau on Shravan purnima.

(Courtesy *Amarnath blogspot and
**Sh. Dalip Langoo)

Sonal Sher 

Article 370 Neutered: One Year ON

Resilience: 30 Years in Exile of Kashmiri Pandits - EASY TO DOWNLOAD

The Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS) team is pleased to share with you a pdf/soft copy version of the book, "Resilience: 30 Years in Exile of Kashmiri Pandits" that documents first person accounts of KP Exodus victims currently living in the UK - their story told in their own words that we have now made available for wide, free circulation.

These are real stories that have never been told before or shared in private with few. Noting how extensively our voices have been suffocated it is time that we speak up and tell these stories. 

May I request you to circulate this publication widely to those on your mailing list so they may use the content to lobby their political representatives. The only request we have is to duly acknowledge Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS) should content be used from the publication.

Please do share the publication that tells our common stories so that more and more people may be able to circulate it in their local networks. 

Download the publication, "Resilience: 30 Years in Exile of Kashmiri Pandits" here.

Please follow us on Twitter: @KPCSUK

BOOK LAUNCH: "Resilience" first person accounts of exodus launched by KPs in London

It's been a long and difficult journey- these past 30 years in exile.

But we lived it with dignity and we showed Resilience in face of adversity.
Resilience:30 years in Exile is the anthology of real accounts of people who lived and suffered during the Kashmiri Hindu exodus in 1990s. Heart breaking stories of grit, determination and faith. Of striving for excellence, prosperity and nation building- not revenge.

For queries regarding the publication, please email: kpcsevents@gmail.com

We Remember: The Journey of Kashmiri Pandits, a play by volunteers of KPCS

This year in 2019, the Kashmiri Pandits are in 30th Year of exile, with justice far from being delivered. An entire generation has lived far away from where ‘Home’ could be and disconnected from their roots. The agony of their parents remains aloof as such a painful episode has been chosen by families to be best forgotten. Nobody talks about it! The world as it is has forgotten the pain, the trauma, the suffering that the Kashmiri Pandits have undergone. The episode of 1990 is still fresh in the memory of every single person who lived the horrors as a child, as a teenager or as an adult.

The programme We Remember is essentially a journey, a project that KPCS has undertaken to connect children and young people to their roots. In doing so, document the stories of each family whether by first person accounts or by visual documentation of timeline of ad-dresses lived at by children for their families.

The team of volunteers who performed in the play, We Remember: The Journey of Kashmiri Pandits in London

In India a landmark announcement of Article 370 abrogation and bi-furcation of J&K state into two Union Territories, namely, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has resulted in much debate and discussion. Welcomed wholeheartedly by majority, especially Kashmiri Pandits, the actual justice delivery and the dream of a safe return & rehabilita-tion of Kashmiri Pandits remains a distant reality.

Princess Kota at Sharadapeeth
at her graduation exam
in 14th Century, Kashmir

We therefore, Remember, never to forget. We Remember, so we may return and live in Kashmir via our progeny.
The play conceptualised and written by Lakshmi Kaul, has been directed by Aarushi Thakur Rana. The performers are all Kashmiri Pan-dit children and their parents, each of them amateurs who connect to the journey in their personal lives. Each of them have a story to share, their own family’s story of resilience and survival.

Kota and her daughter Nainika
in the year 2019, London

The central character, Kota, has been inspired by the story of the Last Queen of Kashmir, Kota Rani, as told by Rakesh Kaul, a USA based writer who introduced Kota to the world via his lucid description of the 14th century ruler of Kashmir.

Kota as a bride-to-be
in the year 1990, Kashmir

The play is set in three time periods: 2019 where you meet Kota as a Mother; in 1990 where you meet Kota, the bride; and 14th Century where you meet Kota the Princess, who is at her Graduation Ceremony at Sharada Peeth University.

The play is presented to you in a way to not only tell the story of the journey, but also showcase the life, heritage, history and contribution of Kashmiri Pandits to the world.

'Traumatised Kota had to leave her home at the behest of Jehadi slogans'
Scene from: We Remember, a KPCS theatre production

At her Graduation exam, Kota faced sharp questions from Jyotish Pandit, the foremost astrologer; Koka Pandit, dedicated to life sciences and and Devaswami, the head of the Sharadapeeth University and Chief Tantri of the Associated temple. 

                                        Scene from: We Remember, a KPCS theatre production

Invitation to "We Remember: The Journey of Kashmiri Pandits"

As historic events unfold in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmiri Pandits (Hindu minorities from Kashmir valley) continue to be in exile, bereft of justice. The journey home remains a dream yet life's challenges are bravely met with by courageous members of this small but significant community. 30 years equals an entire generation that has lived in suffering, physical as well as emotional. This is a journey of finding the homes that are lost, identity that has been targeted and a faith that has been attacked.

A poignant remembrance of the "Journeys of Homes" presented by the children and friends of the Kashmiri Pandit (Hindu) community celebrates the resilience and resolve of these individuals and families. Come and join us as we remember the sacrifices of those who laid their lives in this journey; as we look ahead to the resolve that our children present to look ahead and build a future, together.

Come and be part of a moving play conceptualised by Lakshmi Kaul, Directed and Written by Aarushi Thakur Rana, that depicts the journeys of exodus of Kashmiris living in the United Kingdom. The event showcases a special exhibition of life in Kashmir along with the Journey of Exodus, curated by the children both from the Kashmiri Pandit community and non Kashmiri families living in London.

A special key note address on the developments in J&K along with an insightful talk on the Kashmiri Pandit exodus will be delivered by Col Tej K Tikoo, a Kashmiri Pandit activist and political commentator from India.

In order to give a flavour of Kashmiriyat in the typical tradition of sharing a traditional meal, simple Kashmiri meal will be served for the guests attending.

The entire programme and effort is voluntary and is being curated, compiled and presented by a team of volunteers with a view to educate members of public on the struggles and journeys of resilience of this tiny but significant community.

Come, be a part of this journey on 14th September 2019 at the Zoroastrian Centre, Rayner's Lane.

To RSVP please make sure you have registered your Free Ticket on Eventbrite. Click here to reserve your tickets.