Srinagar, March 30 – The air in Srinagar reverberated with chants of devotion and joy as Kashmiri Pandits marked ‘Navreh Milan’, a deeply rooted cultural and religious observance that signifies the beginning of the Kashmiri New Year. Amid the serene spring backdrop of the Valley, the festival was celebrated with heartfelt enthusiasm, with Hindu shrines witnessing a significant rush of devotees.
Navreh, derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nav Varsha’ meaning New Year, marks a sacred occasion for the Kashmiri Pandit community. While much of India ushered in the Chaitra Navratri with ritualistic devotion, the Pandits of Kashmir observed Navreh with a distinct cultural essence, blending tradition with spiritual reverence.
Temples in Kashmir, especially in Srinagar and surrounding districts, came alive with vibrant religious activity. Devotees thronged significant Hindu religious sites such as the Shankaracharya Temple, Durga Nag Temple, and Hanuman Mandir, while the renowned Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal witnessed a notable turnout of pilgrims from various corners of the country.
The spiritual proceedings included pooja ceremonies, bhajan recitations, and traditional rituals, led by local priests. Inside temple courtyards and community halls, Pandit families engaged in age-old customs, seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, and familial unity in the coming year.
“This festival is the beginning of our year. It is not just a religious event but a deeply emotional one, where we reconnect with our roots,” said Vinod Koul, a local Pandit from Srinagar who offered prayers at the Shankaracharya Temple. “It’s about revisiting our identity, gathering with loved ones, and invoking the goddess Sharika for strength and guidance.”
Navreh: A Symbol of Resilience and Cultural Continuity
For the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, Navreh carries significance that transcends religious boundaries. Over the years, the festival has evolved into a symbol of cultural continuity and collective resilience, especially for those who were forced to migrate due to the conflict in the 1990s.
Despite challenges, the community has ensured that the traditions associated with Navreh remain alive. The celebrations this year witnessed not only local participation but also saw a return of hundreds of Pandit families from across India to their ancestral homeland to reconnect with their spiritual legacy.
At the Durga Nag temple, priests performed elaborate rituals through the early hours of Sunday morning. The temple complex was decorated with marigold garlands, earthen lamps, and sacred ash, symbolizing purification and new beginnings.
Pilgrims and Tourists Unite in Celebration
The vibrant spring season in Kashmir, with its blossoming tulips and snow-capped mountains, provided a picturesque backdrop for the festival. The influx of tourists this year added a unique element to the celebrations. Many visitors, unaware of the local religious calendar, found themselves participating in the rituals, offering flowers and lighting diyas alongside locals.
Rajiv Mehta, a tourist from Pune, described his experience: “We were on a sightseeing trip to the Mughal gardens when we came to know about the Navreh festivities. Visiting the Shankaracharya temple during this time felt divine. It gave us a glimpse into the spiritual fabric of the Valley.”
The hospitality extended by the local community added to the positive experience of outsiders, turning the festival into a shared celebration of spirituality and culture.
Goddess Sharika Worship: The Heart of Navreh
Central to Navreh is the worship of Goddess Sharika, considered the presiding deity of Srinagar, especially venerated at the Hari Parbat shrine. Families prepare a sacred thali, known as Navreh Thaal, which includes symbolic items like walnuts, rice, pen, inkpot, mirror, salt, coins, and a religious almanac called the Nach Patri. Each item represents a philosophical or spiritual truth about life, learning, and reflection.
At dawn, before sunrise, families traditionally open this thali as a symbolic glance into the year ahead. The moment is one of introspection, where elders of the family share wisdom and stories tied to their cultural ethos.
“I saw this thali as a child in my grandmother’s home in downtown Srinagar,” said Sunita Raina, who returned from Delhi to be part of the celebration. “Today, sharing this tradition with my own children makes me feel rooted. No matter where we go, Navreh brings us back home, spiritually and emotionally.”
Communal Harmony and Greetings Across Faiths
Beyond the walls of temples, the Navreh festival echoed with messages of brotherhood and communal harmony. Jagdish Bhardwaj, a senior trustee of the J&K Dharmarth Trust, noted that the celebrations were held peacefully across the Union Territory. “Our temples were full of life and joy. It’s heartening to see both young and old coming together to celebrate. We also extend warm greetings to our Muslim brothers, as Ramzan is also being observed. This co-existence is the soul of our Valley,” he stated.
The gesture resonated with people across religious lines, with many from the Muslim community extending greetings to their Pandit neighbours. The shared spirit of mutual respect offered a glimpse into a more inclusive and empathetic Kashmir, where communities value each other’s heritage.
Political Leaders Join In
Top leaders from Jammu & Kashmir also joined in extending their wishes. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah both issued formal messages greeting the Pandit community on the occasion of Navreh, underlining the importance of cultural and religious festivals in unifying society.
In his statement, LG Sinha emphasized the role of such festivals in preserving heritage and fostering communal bonds. “Navreh reminds us of our rich traditions and the beauty of cultural diversity. I extend my heartfelt greetings to all celebrating,” he said.
Reaffirming Identity Through Tradition
Despite the displacement and trauma that marked the exodus of the Pandit community in the late 20th century, festivals like Navreh have served as anchors of identity. Many families continue to observe the day with full religious rigor, regardless of where they live. In Jammu, Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru, temples held Navreh-themed gatherings, where children performed devotional songs and elders shared tales from the Valley.
This year’s celebrations in Srinagar, however, held special importance, as more families from outside Kashmir returned to participate, reflecting a cautiously optimistic turn in community sentiments. A sense of renewed belonging and spiritual reconnection prevailed across the Valley.
Cultural Events Add Color to the Celebrations
In addition to religious observance, cultural events were organized by local Pandit associations. Programs featuring traditional Kashmiri music, food stalls, and folk storytelling were held at temple premises in Srinagar and Anantnag. These events drew participation from locals and tourists alike, serving both as cultural education and community bonding exercises.
Children dressed in ethnic attire presented dances inspired by Kashmiri folklore, while elders recited verses from sacred texts. The events helped reinforce the importance of language, dress, and ritual in preserving Kashmiri Pandit identity.
The celebration of Navreh this year arrives at a time when efforts are being made to encourage the safe return of Pandit families to the Valley. The vibrant observance of the festival is not just a ritualistic tradition, but also a cultural assertion and a gentle bridge-building exercise aimed at reviving communal ties that have long suffered due to historical strife.
By celebrating Navreh with such zeal in Kashmir, the Pandit community continues to show that culture, when deeply ingrained, survives displacement, flourishes in adversity, and offers hope for healing fractured identities.
While political developments and policy debates dominate headlines, festivals like Navreh remind the world of the quieter, resilient spirit of communities. The Kashmiri Pandit community, with its deep philosophical and spiritual traditions, uses this moment to reset, reconnect, and realign with their values.
This year’s Navreh was not merely a celebration; it was an affirmation—of faith, of memory, and of hope. As bells rang from ancient shrines and chants filled the Himalayan air, a quiet message echoed across Kashmir: the spirit of a people, anchored in tradition, endures.
Navreh Milan 2025 has been a festival of remembrance, reconnection, and religious unity, carrying with it the hope of a more inclusive future for Kashmir.
