A significant development in the Civilizational flow of Kashmir awaits us all. On the auspicious occasion of the coming Navreh (New year or Nav-Varsh Pratipada) this year on 9th April 2024, the “Saptrishi Samvat” will complete five thousand and one hundred years of its existence. It is an extraordinary event so far as our civilization in Kashmir valley is concerned. ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ is a living evidence of the Civilization of Kashmir and its continuity for the last more than five thousand and one hundred years. The best part of it is that even after five thousand and one hundred years, the ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ is a working and living entity and we observe its existence among us every year.
There are a number of old alamnacs in the world. In this context, the oldest alamnacs are Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Hindu, Chinese and Mesoamerican etc. In whole of Bharatvarsha, the Yugabd calender is the oldest. It was established 26 years ahead of ‘Saptrishi Samvat’. We are currently observing Yugabd Samvat-5125; thus the ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ is a contemporary alamnac not only to the Yugabd calender but is also contemporary to the other oldest alamnacs in the world.
The great thing about these two oldest alamnacs in India is that they are functional and working till date while most of the other such oldest calenders in the world have ceased to be functional and working alamnacs. Both the ‘Yugabd Samvat’ and the ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ are based upon lunisolar system of astronomical calculations where both solar and lunar years are recognised as complementary and supplementary to each other. The beauty lies in the fact that this profound knowledge of India has stood the test of time and is considered completely scientific and functional.
‘Saptrishi Samvat’ is an indegenous alamnac of Kashmir. This Samvat in Kashmir which is completing 5100 years this year is a testimony of the historical fact that Kashmir’s civilization had a distinct and great character. This civilization contributed as the fountainhead of ancient Vedic civilization and culture. There are four important pillars of the Civilization of Kashmir ie, the ancient art & architecture in the Kashmir valley, written monumental compendium of the last thousands of years, the working and functional cultural traditions of Kashmir and the ‘Saptrishi Samvat’.
The continuity of the oldest Samvat known as the ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ is an evidence of our history, belonging and living in Kashmir as the indegenous people of Kashmir. That the Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus of Kashmir) are the original inhabitants of Kashmir is also established by our esteemed alamnac called ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ which completed five millennium, ninety nine years ago. It needs now to be celebrated on the completion of 5,100 years by all who believe in the truth that they are a part and parcel of the profound civilization of Kashmir.
Kashmiri Pandits and the Kashmiri Muslims both are fundamentally, and also in principle, the sole inheriters of the civilizational ethos and legacy of Kashmir. The Kashmiri Pandits always feel pride in declaring their direct connect with their thousands of years heritage in Kashmir. This they have continued practically even in their forced exile for the last thirty five years in the most graceful manner. Despite their pain of exile, the Kashmiri Pandits kept observing the birthday of their river in Kashmir, the Vitasta-Jehlum, every year. They continued with their tradition of publishing the yearly alamnacs in the shape of “Panchangs” and the Jyotshi family of Bijbihara-Kashmir deserves a great acknowledgement in this regard. Walter R Lawrence in his book, ‘The Valley of Kashmir’ describes beautifully the high reverence of the people of Kashmir towards the springs, rivers, rocks, mountains and natural resources of Kashmir.
However, the majority community in Kashmir, due to certain religio-political considerations, was misdirected to shun its own civilizational connect and heritage dating back to the last more than five thousand years. Here is now the occasion for them to reassess and reconsider their notion about the whole issue under discussion. The greatest quest for the human beings on this earth, anywhere and everywhere, both individually and collectively, has been their search for their roots. Howsoever healthy, wealthy, wise and influential one may be, but the intimate connection with one’s own Civilization is the most important soothing treasure and happiness for both the individual and the society. Moreover, history didn’t begin just 700 years ago in Kashmir.
The great thinkers and ideologues in India evolved the idea of alamnac and calender on the basis of their knowledge about the scientific issues commensurate with their vast experiences of life. ‘Kaal-Ganana’ or time-calculation in India was considered as a very serious subject and brilliant minds were devoted to such issues from the times immemorial. They would take into account the position of stars, planets and their natural satellites very closely so that its impact on the life of the human beings on earth could be made better and ideal. This scientific thinking gave birth to the organised alamnacs-calenders in India, the mention of which can be found even in the ancient books of great value like Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. Neelmatapurana is the oldest indegenous “Purana” of Kashmir.
The conceptualization of year, months, weeks, seasons and important occasions of geographical and astronimical events were the most important part of these alamnacs. For example, it was perceived that in the Indian conditions, there were/are six seasons in a year called-“Shadharitu”. These six seasons are Vasant (Spring), Greesham (Summer-hot season), Varsha-Ritu (Rainy season), Sharad (Pre-Autumn), Hemant (Autumn) and Shishir (Winter). Each season consists of two months and in total comprised the twelve months of a year.
Keeping in view the local conditions of the Kashmir valley, the thinking minds in Kashmir also adopted this concept of ‘Shadharitu’. However, in practice in Kashmir, there were/are only five seasons. All these five seasons have appropriate Kashmiri names derived originally from the above mentioned Sanskrit names. The first three seasons consist of two months each while the last two seasons consist of three months each. These names are the echo-names of the original names. ‘Vasant’ is called ‘Sonth’, ‘Greesham’ is called ‘Garmi’ (it was also called as Grishem some six or seven decades earlier) and ‘Varsharitu’ is called ‘Vehraat’. ‘Sharad’ and ‘Hemant’ are amalgamated into one season and is called ‘Harud’ (Ha+Rad) and lastly ‘Shishir’ is called ‘Shisher-maas’.
While there are several other witnesses to prove that the Civilization of Kashmir dates back to 7,000-8,000 years BCE, the ‘Saptrishi Samvat’ is a functional and living witness to confirm this fact. It is important that the current and future generations, particularly belonging to Kashmir, know about these issues of our collective concern; thus inspiring them to establish and flourish their connect with their glorious civilization. This will also further inspire them to do more meaningful research in this regard. It is suggested, in this connection, that:
1. A grand community programme may be organised in this context well before the commencement of Navreh this year,
2. A year long celebration may be organised throughout the length and breadth of the country wherever there are institutions and presence of the people belonging to the Kashmir valley,
3. In foreign countries as well, these celebrations may be organised by involving our institutions working therein,
4. Schools, colleges and universities may be requested to organise seminars, symposiums and other such programmes throughout the year, as per their convenience,
5. The government can be requested to issue a special postal stamp in this regard and the ministry of culture and sports can be asked to organise programmes in this context as well.
Besides what has been said above, in order to inculcate the sense of civilizational connect, old history books written by Kashmiris themselves should be provided a shelf-space in maximum homes during this year. Document-books like, Neelmatapurana, Rajtarangini/s by Kalhana (researched by Aurel Stein), Jonaraja, Shrivar, Pragyabhatha, Shuka, Tareekh-e-Hassan, The Kashmiri Pandit by Pt. Anand Koul and also (in addition) The Valley of Kashmir by Walter R Lawrence deserve our immediate and meaningful attention.
This all will depend upon how we are ready to initiate this important and historical exercise in time. This is the opportune time to take this initiative keeping in view the Shri Ram Mandir fervour and happiness all around. This author beckons the thinking minds and activists in our society for their useful contributions and noble initiative in this regard….!
