Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 21: Nowroz was today celebrated across Kashmir with traditional fervour even as on the day, the Shia population of the Valley held special prayers and organised grand meals consisting of a wide variety of dishes in their homes.
The day formally marks the start of the spring season, and with that, activities related to farming are also flagged off. On the day of Nowroz, World Arbour Day is also celebrated which is marked by the plantation of flower saplings, trees.
While, traditionally, the day marks the beginning of the New Year of the Persian Calendar, the people from the Shia community in Kashmir hold the day in high esteem and out of happiness and to express their joy on the day, they specifically cook ‘Nadur’ and fish and invite their relatives, neighbour and friends to join them over the feast. They also have certain religious connotations to the day.
Another attraction that remains on Nowroz is that people reach up to expert men to carry out the leech therapy which is said to be a cure for several diseases and the people conduct the same every year on Nowroz religiously.
“The leeches that are collected on the day, are special and those are used for the therapy as people specifically reach out for the same on Nowroz,” said Nazir Ahmad a local.
The day is traditionally important for the farmers who on the occasion take up several activities while considering the day auspicious, to bear fruits in eth farming season ahead. On the day, several events were also held across Kashmir where the plantation drives were carried out.
Meanwhile, as Nowroz announced the arrival of spring in Kashmir, the Government didn’t lose the opportunity of showcasing the delicacies and traditions to the tourists reaching the Valley.
In this regard, the Department of Tourism organized the Spring Festival along the banks of Dal Lake where the items representing the culture of Kashmir, ranging from food, artefacts, handicraft items, were put on display.
The event, along with the locals, was also attended by the tourists even as scores of tourists were seen dancing to the tunes of traditional Kashmiri music that was performed by several well-known Kashmiri artists.
“We are celebrating the arrival of spring and the same was started two days ago beginning with the rural areas of Kashmir,” Secretary Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez said, adding spring is one of the beautiful seasons of Valley.
He said that by organizing such events, the main aim is to invite people from all across the country to come and visit Kashmir.
“The winter season has remained great; spring is going good and we are hoping the same will continue in days to come,” he said adding that 75 new tourist destinations have been identified across Kashmir and the same have been brought on the tourism map.
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