Happy b’day Jhelum, the lifeline of Valley

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 26

From times immemorial, rivers in India have been treated as sacred and Kashmir has been no exception.

Revered for its economic benefits and life sustaining qualities, the Kashmiri Pandits in exile today celebrated the birthday of the Vitasta, popularly known as the Jhelum.

The Pandit community, which was forced to leave the Valley in the aftermath of arms insurgency in 1990, observes a community function every year on the banks of the Ranbir canal, a tributary of the Chenab, in Jammu to commemorate the day.

‘Vyath Truvah’, the 13th day of the waxing moon of the ‘Bhadrapada’, according to the ancient Kashmiri texts, is the day when the Jhelum had originated in the Valley.

Before migration, Pandits used to celebrate the day with an elaborate ritual in which traditional earthen lamps were floated on the Jhelum waters.

“Pandits still have longing for the Vitasta. We live far away from our land, but these rituals keep us connected with the Valley. Before migration, it used to be a big day for the Hindu community and offerings were made to the river for peace and prosperity,” said Ashwani Chrangoo, president, Panun Kashmir.

Though little is known about the commencement of the river’s birthday celebrations in the Valley, many experts on Kashmir claim that the Vitasta originated before the Mahabharata war as the river finds a mention in the epic.

“Cultural heritage of Kashmiri Hindus is facing threat as most of the community members are living outside the Valley. But there is need to make our posterity aware of old traditions,” said Virender Raina, who was a part of today’s event.

Vyeth in Kashmiri, Vitasta in Sanskrit and Hydaspes to ancient Greeks, the Jhelum remains the lifeline of the Valley where it covers 165 km before flowing into the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The river has remained an important means of transportation and internal trade since ancient times.

Like various other major civilisations across the world, the river has been witness to rise and fall of several kingdoms and changing religious and demographic transitions.