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, first thing
after getting up from the bed. Thereafter people go to the river bank, take a dip and throw these
nuts in the water. Then they wear new clothes and offer pooja at home and in the temples. Outings
are also organised to the gardens to enjoy the beauty of the almond blossoms. Sweets, savouries
and the famous decoction, 'Chai’, is served with gaity and happiness all round. On the third day
from the Navreh, ladies go to their parents' house and dine there. From there they go to the
temples and gardens with their kiths and return in the evening with new dresses and the customary
Noon, Tsocha and Atagat i.e., salt, cakes and some cash. These three items are a must to be given
to the married daughters, whenever they come to their parents' house, at the time of their return to
their home.
Apart from these customs, rituals and festivals which are peculiar to our community, there are other
festivals which are celebrated more or less in the same way as in other parts of the country.
Whatever difference there is, is because of geographical reasons and availability of the required
items. For example, in our rituals walnuts, rice and local vegetables are used whereas in other
places coconut, banana, banana-leaf and other locally available items are put in use for these
rituals. Likewise, due to the intense cold we have Sandhya only once in the morning instead of three
times elsewhere. Wearing a dhoti or making offerings and pooja bare-bodied also is not enforced in
Kashmir for the same reason.
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