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I am writing this blog for I am receiving many calls from Jammu and elsewhere to address this age old issue. The mega event of Kashmiri Pandits as Herath and Maha Shivratri of the entire Hindu world has become a tool at the hands of few opportunists that cons fusions are being created among innocent and less educated members of the community who follow JANTHARI as it is, without even doubting it for its inaccuracies and incorrect mentions. This is tragedy that some boast about their incomplete knowledge with wearing neat and clean robes while cheating innocent ones.
Recently I came across an email by a friend dear Vijay Wattal who blindly posted on behalf of Pt. Omkar Nath Shastri ji in bold red letters that such and such organisation is misleading the masses for the dates of Mahashivratri that I opposed with all that I am aware of the mega event we celebrate, the email goes like this:
vkwattal1234@gmail.com wrote:
ATTENTION
COMMUNITY BIRADARI
BRAHMAN MANDAL , has created confusion about SHIVRATRI DATES
asDear Brothers & Sisters,
This is to inform you that MAHA SHIVRATRI will be celebrated on the following Dates :-
27 - 02- 2014 TRIODHASHI THURSDAY SHIVRATRI PUJAN ( VATAK PUJA ) HERATH
28 -02 - 2014 CHATURDASHI FRIDAY SALAM
01 -03 -2014 AMAVSI SATURDAY DOON AMAWAS
Yours
Omkar Nath Shastri
Editor
VIJAYSHWAR PANCHANG.
Later I questioned as to who has created the confusion? Indeed as I am aware Vijayeshwar always stoop to this confusion creating since past so many decades, which I am aware. The reply goes like this:
Dear Vijay ji
Namaskar!
This was practiced by Late pt Prem Nath Shastri ji since past so many decades. Something need to be done to eradicate such practices/myths created by a handful of vested interests. Let all think about it. The Vijayeshwar Janthri has come up once again to it mixing Herath with Shivratri.
You have addressed the issue as if BMM is doing something against our age old practices? Let us think over it and consult other scholarly. Pt Omkar Nath ji is not the lone authority on the subject.
First of all let us not mingle our Herath with rest of the country who celebrate it as SHIVRATRI as there focus is on SHIVLINGAM but at the same time we Kashmiris worship VATUK BHAIRAVA, YOGINIS, RAMGADU, SONIPOTUL, KHETRAPALAS, PAARVATI as DUL, KALASH etc. thus making it a different than rest of the Hindus(Will rest of the Hindus forget their way over ours, No. Our worship continues till SORZUN will rest of the HINDUS follow us, we do not say so. So why should we surrender the most beautiful way, full of devotion and spiritual bliss!). This distinction has made our practices different than others. Why forget our ancient practices which are rare and unique? Why are we supposed to accept with one mans announcement that we need to celebrate it with rest of the Hindus? Are we not joining rest of the Hindus on the following day that someone had termed as SALAM during serving Muslim Kings(the term is symbolic of our salve and fearsome mind set, isn't it?).
I remember during my childhood days my grand parents and some scholarly renowned Jyotishis challenged Revered Pt Prem Nath ji who instead should have faced the gathering and should have cleared the doubts left silently from the window of Somyaar Mandir. Hinduism is a vast Dharma and all the aspects need to be respected but misinterpreting such things is a sin.
My appeal to all brethren is to stood firm towards the essence of our own Herath and celebrate it according to our own ways and means not get swayed by the baseless one sided agendas and poor arguments of Vijayeshwar group. We are not here to oppose them but let today's youth come forward to tell them to explain what they meant to hurt the sentiments of majority of Herath worshippers by imposing their way that they call is a gesture to make Hindus of the rest of the country get feeling of oneness. This day can not be compromised as we have out of compulsion compromised MAHAKALI teerath, BHEEMAKAAY GANAPATI at Moqdam Saeb and lot more. Are we supposed to compromise on everything, when our identity is a the verge of merger with rest of the communities all over the world?
Is this not the time when compromising tendencies need to be stopped? If there is no end to compromises and appeasements our community can no longer be a community of Kashmiri Pandits. Let us consult BMM and SATISAR if there are doubts anymore. Ways can not be denigrated if they are noble ones. Vichaar Vimarsh is a must...let us do it without wasting time!
With warmest regards and Aahee!
Dalip Langoo
One more input on this from Ahmedabad :
Sir, I fully agree with Mr. Langoo's statement. KPs should maintain real form of Heirath. Maintaining our customs, culture, traditions, language and heritage is need of the hour and our youngsters have to play pivotal role in this regard. Our elders should encourage and impress upon their children to follow the correct norms. Hope things will be set right for our coming generations. Wit regards, Vinod Dhar, Ahmedabad.
Further I appeal all scholarly enlightened members of the community to come forward to eradicate this EVIL of belittling others on a non issue. This was not an issue as all the Jyitishis knew what is the reality. In the coming days we may have to bring in more such issues where we feel a group among us is hell bent upon compromising its way of DHARMA and even helping and aiding MARRIAGE OUT OF THE COMMUNITY. There are lots of burning issues let us address all one by one, HERATH be the 1st one.
Aahee to one and all!
Dalip Langoo
9313638303
dlangoo@yahoo.co.uk
Some development on the date confusion as posted by dear SUNIL FOTEDAR on behalf of SATISAR FOUNDATION on KASHMIRI PANDIT NETWORK:
More on Shivratri from SATISAR FOUNDATION
Namaskaar,
Upon continuous requests by the people, Satisar Foundation took the issue head on and accordingly the Brahman Maha Mandal, Vijayshwar Panchang, and other like-minded groups met and discussed. Both of the Groups (Brahman Maha Mandal and Vijayswar Panchang) were provided the Nirnays (judgments) referenced in various ancient manuscripts that are available with Satisar Foundation. We are thankful to Brahman Maha Mandal and Vijayswar Panchang for keeping faith in us and joining hands on this issue.
The State Government officials also took the matter with us and accordingly the references were provided to them as well. At the end, a well-drafted letter was issued in the newspapers on the issue.
Enclosed please find copy of the press release which was provided to us for rectification and our research work on the subject (in pdf format). This also provides intellectual reasoning and arguments in favour of celebrating the Maha Shivratri on the 26th of February this year. I have provided the scanned copies of manuscripts for arriving at this judgement. You may use these as per to your need.
This is exclusive Satisar Property and shall be kept at the disposal of our esteemed community.
Regards,
Satisar Foundation
satisar.org
My reply:
If this is true then why on behalf of respected Pt Omkar Nath Shastri people are circulating misleading mails in some groups? reference my blog just posted, Aahee!
Satisar Foundation, Brahman Mahamandal and Vijayeshwar ppl need to come out with a joint statement and the correct list of celebrations in particular about all the 15 days upto Doony Mavas because some people follow such rituals even today. Someone from Jammu was calling yesterday to know when should they observe Vagury Bah that actually falls on Dwadashi..so our Ganitkartas need to address all the aspects, days that were celebrated in past for the convenience of all the devotees. I heartily appreciate if Vijayeshwar group has agreed on this while breaking their age old practice of cheating public, Aahee to all!
RECENT DEVELOPMENT:
Thanks to all concerned, Namaskar!
A
circular has been issued by Vijayeshwar group, Satisar Foundation and
Brahman Maha Mandal in regard to this confusion and an announcement is
made in Excelsior Jammu that Herath should be observed on 26th for
Truvah falls on 26th evening at around 8 PM thus confirms the
celebration on the same day instead 27th when Truvah remains for shorter
duration and Tsodah begins. Since Herath is celebrated on Truvah 26th
is best date to celebrate it.
The wrong date published by
Vijayeshwar has been amended and a fresh announcement is made thus
giving full stop to all doubts and confusions. I heartily thank all the
concerned to rise to the occasion and let us all learn from this
situation how to keep our Ganitkartas and publishers of Jantharies alert
and accurate when they publish such dates.
With warmest regards to all with happy Herath to all!
Dalip Langoo
LET THE JANTHRI DISPUTE END HERE!
Dear all
Let the family feud end here that of VIJAYESHWAR JANTHRI bearing bal krishna image and VIJAYESHWAR PANCHANG bearing lord Vishnu's image. Both claiming to be right. When third parties intervened Dr M. M Jyotshi proved to be correct but at the same time some members from PANCHANG side are still spreading the incorrect details that needs serious steps from the learned and all concerned members of the community. Every time community interests can not be taken for granted like this. They need to be warned if they have to retain the respect and dignity of their revered ancestors who selflessly built this legacy for the entire SAMAJ. May sense prevail..Aahee!
This page no 333 is self explanatory that Late Pt Prem Nath Shastri of the same Vijayeshwar Paanchang has addressed to the same confusion in 1994. So 26th is Herath no more confusions. We appeal to Pt Omkar Nath Shastri ji to stop this business tactic in favor of devotees. If honesty is not practiced here there is DHARMA SANKAT for sure that will not spare anyone. Please do such things with NISHKAAM BHAAVA this will not help anyone. This is creating questions for such prestigious PANCHANGS today. Please show some sense!
MASSES WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS CONFUSION IS MADE DURING HERATH ONLY WHEREAS PAANCHAG WAS PUBLISHED A YEAR AGO?
Once again we thank doctor ji to accept our request to address on this issue LIVE :-
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=714459578606564&set=vb.100001275868252&type=2&theater
SOME OF THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE ANSWERED WERE ASKED TO BOTH PT OMKAR NATH SHASTRI AS WELL AS DR MANMOHAN SHASTRI BUT DR M M JYOTSHI HAS ANSWERED THEM WITH AUTHORITY. We thus bow our head before him. Thanks a lot Sir!
We hail Shri Puneet Jyotshi ji for bringing to us enlightening answers that even a lay man can understand.....so Haapy Herath......we often confuse Herath with Mahashivratri so it is clear and should have been published earlier so that no one could have spread the lies....better late then never is the key.......!
1. Why Tithi triyodashi is important to celebrate Herath;
According to Bharav Yaag Granth Tridoshi is the deciding factor to solemnize the day of Hyreath. Triyodashi should be present at midnight. That is the reason our Hyreath festival is some times celebrated on Dwadashi and some times at Triyodashi. Attached is the pages for your reference.
2. Are Herath and Maha Shiv Ratri same festivals?
No. Our Hyreath is Har-ratri (Hura Ratri) celebrated on Triyodashi & MahaShivratri deciding factor is Chaturdashi that is the reason maha shivratri is also called Shiv-Chaturdashi. Hyreath and Maha-Shivratri can not be solemnized on the same day. Best example is Year 2011, 1st march jantri Page attached.
3. All over the Hindu world Hindus celebrate SHIV RATRI on Chaturdashi that falls on 27th 8:40 PM and they are fine with that. Why are few among us compare Herath with Maha Shivratri?
This is the confusing statements again because Our Hyreath deciding factor is Triyodashi and Mahashivratri is based on Chatrudashi as per Dharam Sindu. This is the reason Triyodashi Festival cannot be celebrated on chaturdashi.
4. At what time triyodashi enters on 26th?
Triyodashi is starting at 23-44 Hrs on 26th Feb which decides the Hyreath to be solemnized on 26th Feb. 2014. The another confusion which is being created is that to start Puja after 23-44 Hrs. is also wrong. You can start puja as usual any time after 1930 Hrs to 2000 Hrs.
5. What is sparsh and what is its importance?
As already mentioned above Triyodashi starts at 23-44 Hrs which indicated that Puja to be performed at Dwodashi having sparsh of triyodashi at midnight.
6. What is PRADOSH and what is said about its impact for 144 minutes on 27th? Does this imply that even during chaturdashi one can consider it in place of 8:40 plus this duration that is 11:04 P M on 27th night?
Pradosh kaal is of 05 types. Neiyta Pradosh, Paksha Pradosh, Maas Prodash, Maha Pradosh & Pralaey Pradosh.
Pradosh Vrat is solemnized on Krishan & Shukal Paksha of every (Lunar) Month. & Every 14th Dark day of Dark half of every month (Krishan Paksha) is called Shivratri or Maha-Shivratri. It has to do nothing with our Hyreath.
I say with authority that Whatever festival dates we are publishing in Vijayeshwer Jantrie are Lay down procedures of our ancestors (Jyotshi Aftab Sharma, Pt. Kashi Nath Jyotshi & Pt. Prem Nath Shastri).
Aahee!
