Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends warm wishes to all on the occasion of Navreh, the Kashmiri New Year celebrated by Kashmiri Hindus, with a special focus on the Kashmiri Pandit community. Navreh holds significant cultural and religious importance as it marks the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra in the Kashmiri Hindu calendar.
This festival is dedicated to Goddess Sharika, and Kashmiri Pandits pay homage to her during the celebrations. Legend has it that Mother Goddess Sharika’s abode was on Sharika Parvata (Hari Parbat), where the Sapta Rishis, or Seven Sages, congregated. It is believed that on the auspicious day of 1st Chaitra, when the first ray of the sun illuminated Chakreshwari, it marked the commencement of the New Year and the Saptarishi era according to astrological tradition. According to Kashmiri Hindu tradition and astronomical calculations, this era dates back to 3076 BC.
As PM Modi extends Navreh Poshte’s wishes, he honors the rich cultural heritage and religious traditions of the Kashmiri Pandit community, highlighting the significance of Navreh in fostering unity and preserving ancestral customs.
