An Overview
The Kashmiri Pandits, the original inhabitants of the Valley of Kashmir, have a rich culture and peaceful traditions that they have managed to maintain over five thousand years of recorded history. Kashmir is known amongst the Kashmiri Pandits and other Saraswats (who fled Kashmir during periods of Islamic persecution) as Sharadapeeth or the Abode of the Goddess of Learning and Fine Arts. During their five thousand years of history, they have made great contributions to world civilization in such diverse fields as religion, philosophy, Sanskrit literature, medicine, history, music and aesthetics.
Kashmir's greatest historian, Kalhan, writes about his native land: "It is a country where the sun shines mildly, being the place created by Rishi Kashyap, for his glory - big and lofty houses, learning, saffron, icy cool water and grapes rare in Heaven are plentiful here - Kailash is the best place in the three worlds (Trilok), Himalayas the best place in Kailash, and Kashmir the best place in Himalayas."
Our immortal Sanskrit poet Kalidas writes about the valley: "The place is more beautiful than the heaven and is the benefactor of supreme bliss and happiness. It seems to me that I am taking a bath in the lake of nectar here."
GLIMPSES OF KASHMIRI PANDIT CULTURE
Kashmiri Pandit Culture maintains its uninterrupted flow dismantling the man-made barriers between past and present. Its sweet rhythm and ennobling dignity do not at all grow stale. Its self-assigned duty of guarding the eternal values does never become boring. It is a pleasure and an obligation at the same time.
KASHMIRI PANDIT SAINTS
Abhinavagupta was a great scholar and Shaiva teacher, who possessed knowledge in all matters relating to Kashmir Shaivism. The versatility of this genius was recognised in his own time. He was one of the best authorities on Shaiva philosophy and various branches of Sanskrit literature.
In Kashmir, some people consider her a poet, some consider her a holy woman, and some consider her a sufi, a yogi, or a devotee of Shiva. Some even consider her an avtar. But every Kashmiri considers her a wise woman. Every Kashmiri has some sayings of Lalla on the tip of his tongue. The Kashmiri language is full of her sayings.
A luminary of the first magnitude on the spiritual firmament of modern times, Lakshmana Raina was born at Namchibal in Srinagar (Kashmir) on May 9, 1907. He showed signs of spiritual fertility from his very birth. Finding the child far too precocious, his noble, god-fearing and devout parents put him in the tutorage of Swami Rama, who had been their family priest, and saint of high order in the tradition of the refined Tantric Monism of Kashmir known as the Trika system. From his early childhood
Abhinavagupta was a great scholar and Shaiva teacher, who possessed knowledge in all matters relating to Kashmir Shaivism. The versatility of this genius was recognised in his own time. He was one of the best authorities on Shaiva philosophy and various branches of Sanskrit literature.
KASHMIRI PANDIT FESTIVALS
This word literally means fish and cooked rice. On any Tuesday or Saturday of the dark fortnight in the lunar month of Pausha, except when there is panchak, fish is specially prepared and near ones are invited to the dinner. First of all, a plateful of rice and fish is arranged, and it is placed at a clean place in a room on the top floor, called Kaeni. This is meant for the deity of the house referred to as Ghar Devata.
This is also known as Yaksha amavasya. In other words, the last day of the dark fortnight of 'Paush' dedicated to the 'Yaksha', which again appears to refer to some forest-dwelling tribe that lived there before the rishis. On this day a special dish of moong mixed with rice is prepared in the evening. It is served to the Yaksha on an improvised plate made of dry grass. The plate is placed on the top of the compound wall.
Sonth heralds the Spring season and the Navreh the New Lunar Year. Both these days are important in our calendar. A unique custom on these two days is to fill a plate overnight with rice, yoghurt, milk, nuts, cake, flower, pen, gold coin, picture of a deity or the goddess, and the new panchang (only on Navreh). This is kept covered for the night and early in the morning every member of the family sees this plate and the nice items placed in it.
This word literally means fish and cooked rice. On any Tuesday or Saturday of the dark fortnight in the lunar month of Pausha, except when there is panchak, fish is specially prepared and near ones are invited to the dinner. First of all, a plateful of rice and fish is arranged, and it is placed at a clean place in a room on the top floor, called Kaeni. This is meant for the deity of the house referred to as Ghar Devata.
KASHMIRI PANDIT CUISINE
Kashmiri pandits are the oldest inhabitants of Kashmir Valley and introduced Turmeric, Yoghurt and Asafoetida (Hing) to Indian cuisine. Kashmiri Pandit food doesn’t include onion, garlic, eggs, tomato, chicken, etc. Some of the main ingredients used in Kashmiri Pandit cuisine are asafoetida (hing), dry ginger powder, mustard oil, Kashmiri red chilli powder, yoghurt, whole spices to name a few. Most of the dishes are cooked on low heat. Most of the dishes are eaten with steamed rice as it is the staple food of Kashmir Valley.A few of the mouth-watering, sumptuous and delectable authentic and traditional cuisine of Kashmiri Pandits:
This dish gets its name from Persian words Rogan which means “oil” and Josh means “intense heat”.
This healthy, nutritious yet mouth-watering dish has an unique combination. Mutton is cooked in turmeric based gravy with aromatic spices and herbs.
Lotus stem cooked in a asafoetida and yoghurt based curry cooked with fennel seed powder and whole spices.
This dish gets its name from Persian words Rogan which means “oil” and Josh means “intense heat”.
