Culture

 

“The map of Kashmir cannot be color-coded as to its Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist identity; each of its parts is marbled with the colors and textures of the whole.

 

When Francois Bernier, a French physician and the first European to travel to Kashmir in 1665, described the Valley as “Paradise of the Indies” he did not refer to its natural beauty alone, but the unique culture of the place. Kashmir has been a cradle of a variety of cultures through the ages symbolizing love, brotherhood and devotion.

 

A Muslim lady prays in Kashmiri, “Afu Khodaya Fazal kar, Badas ta Janas, Hyandis ta Musalmanas”– Oh God, shower your grace on good and bad people alike, both on Hindus and on Muslims. While a Hindu woman, prays: “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhenah sarve santu niramayah sarve bhadrani pashyantu ma kaschit dukh bhag bhavet” – Let all be happy, free of worries. Let all be met with beneficial and pleasant things and let no body meet with grief and unhappiness’.

 

One of the glorious traditions of Kashmir is preaching and worshipping of each other's religions. There are many holy places where both Hindus and Muslims offer prayers together. This remarkable custom of Kashmiris has perplexed and distressed the orthodox elements across the globe.

 Well-known Kashmiri poet Mehjoor, who is called Wordsworth of Kashmiri language expresses in one of his poems,

“Hyund chhu shakar dodh chhu Muslim ahli deen, dodh ta shakar milanaeviv pana vaen”-Hindus are like sugar and Muslims like milk let us mix the two (to create a harmonious society)

 

He also writes: “Hend Ratan Nav Khur Wayan Ahal-Din, Nav yami Mulkech, Chalovow Pan Wanen”- Hindus will provide direction for the boat and Muslims will row it, we shall steer the boat together.

It happens only in Kashmir that Hindus eagerly wait for a share from "Qurban Maaz" (sacrificial mutton) during the Id-ul-Zuha celebrations and Muslims look for a share from soaked walnut during Shivaratri celebrations.