Why We Always get Fascinated With KASHMIR's Place's,Girl's,Food,Tradition and Marriage

                     

Kashmir Paradise On Earth/History

Kashmir is a beautiful valley in the northernmost part of India. It is part of a state called Jammu & Kashmir. The Kashmir Valley is surrounded by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. The valley itself is green and thickly populated. The people of this Valley are highly evolved and have therefore dominated the history and culture of the state.

Jammu & Kashmir is a state in India. It is a large state and was ruled by a Maharaja (Indian King) in the past. Jammu & Kashmir is made up of many regions but is called Jammu & Kashmir because the two most populous regions in the state are called Jammu and Kashmir. There are other distinct regions in the state including Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan and Skardu. India's neighbour, Pakistan, grabbed many of these regions about 50 years ago. Some parts of the state were forcibly taken over by China. The largest portion of the original state of Jammu & Kashmir remains as a state within India.



Kashmiri Fairs and Festivals

• Amarnath Yatra Kashmir
• Bahu Mela Jammu
• Baisakhi FestivalJammu
• Chaitre Chandesh Jammu
• Jhiri Mela Jammu
• Kheer Bhawani Srinagar
• Lohri Festival Jammu
• Mansar Food and Craft Mela
• Purmandal Mela Jammu
• Winter Sports Kashmir

Kashmiri Girl's

We all know Kashmiri women are beyond beautiful. Almost every woman in Kashmir is above average when it comes to beauty. There is beauty in their simplicity and in their sophistication.

Kashmiri Food/Cuisine

The state is not just a paradise for the tourist but also for the lovers of good food. The state offers a variety of exotic recipes bearing a distinct seal of the state. Secret behind the mind-blowing cuisine of the state lies in the books of history.The descendants of these cooks gifted the state the unsurpassed tradition of Wazwan, the delectable aromatic banquet of Kashmir. Wazwan consists of 36 course meal, essentially, meat based prepared by wazas (cooks) under the supervision of Vasta Waza, the master chef.

Meat - Mutton (specially), fish and chicken are essential ingredients in Kashmiri food. Meat is prepared in a number of ways and is usually mixed with vegetables and spices such as cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, cloves and so on. The Brahmins and Muslims in Kashmir prepare similar meat dishes giving their own unique twist to them. Some of the popular Kashmiri meat preparations are:

• Kashmiri Kebab
• Rogan Josh
• Rista
• Jigar/Kaleyji
• Methi Keema
• Yakhni
• Syun Alu
• Kabargah
• Marzwagan
• Pasanda
• Hak

 Potato, cottage cheese and a variety of vegetables are used to make interesting combinations of vegetarian Kashmiri food preparations. Both fresh and dried vegetables are used for cooking. These are some delicious vegetarian dishes.

• Hak
• Rajmah
• Ladyar Tsaman
• Nadeir Yakhaen

Rice is a staple diet in Kashmir. It is grown in the lake shores and river banks. Popular rice preparations of Kashmir are:

• Shree Pulao
• Mutton Pulao
• Tursh
• Zarda

Maazrath(Mehndi Night)

Our women are the most hospitable creatures ever born on the face of this planet. They are very friendly and generous when it comes to serving food to friends, guests and even strangers. You can feel their warmth in their wide open smiles while they feed you food. Na na myoni marun chui,byaakh piece pae khyon) Whenever we Kashmiris have guests come over, there are mini wars going on over food in the guestroom. Our mothers make sure they win the war and that your plate is clean and mouth full.


Burning the popularly called Isband or Isphand/Wanwun 

Kashmiri women burn the Harmal seeds or the Persian Rue in their kangris (earthen pots full of burning coal,used to keep one warm in winters) and make loved ones sniff its fumes to save them from the evil eye. They consider it as folk medicine for all ailments and use it in spiritual practices.

The Wanwun is a unique way of singing on weddings.They joyfully make two singing groups, divide the verses of a song amongst the two groups and each group sings them alternately.They include the mother,the father,the uncle,the aunt and almost everyone in the song. They’ve mastered the art of playing ‘tumbakhnaaris’ which are one form of desi earthen drums, open on one side and sing to its loud beats.

Kashmiri Kahwa OR Kashmiri Black Tea..!!!!

Kashmiri kahwa is a specially brewed tea which has the kahwa tea leaves, almonds, saffron, cinnamon and cardamoms brewed to a specific consistency. This tea is a must after every meal in a Kashmiri household. Authentic recipe for my quest .

Ingredients: 

• Kahwa tea leaves- 1 tsp
• Almonds- 5-7
• Green cardamoms- 3
• Cinnamon- 1 inch stick
• Sugar- 3 tsp
• Saffron- 3 strands

Directions:

1) Crush the kahwa tea leaves. Coarsely crush the cardamoms and cinnamon.

2) If you powder them you won't be able to strain them later and the taste would   be overwhelming.

3) Crush the almonds coarsely and set aside.

4) Boil three cups of water with the kahwa leaves and crushed cinnamon and cardamoms.

    


5) If you want add saffron in addtion once you bring the tea to boil and let it simmer for five minutes. The tea would be dark by now.

6) Strain the tea and garnish with almonds when you serve. If you don't mind leaving the spices you can leave them.

7) I left the cardamoms though I took off the cinnamon because it was small pieces that could choke if swallowed.

With Love

Roshini Koul

Kashmiri Sayings - Kashur kaeth

Namaskar Mahra sarene Baden th Lokten ,

This blog of kashmir as its is mainly to educate and spread the kashmiri culture.

We have come across some great sayings in kashmiri through the pictures.

For younger generations, these sayings and its meaning would be helpful and for others lets cherish.

Stay blessed all. and do give me feedback below in the comment section. If you have any particular questions, please ask. Spread our culture.

 Pictures Courtesy -Lipton Chai Blog

Kashmiri Follk Dance on Bhoomro Bhoomro...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqhwbgMER6Y

Bumbro is a delightful little folk song from the valley of Kashmir.

Please Lisen & share you feedback.

 

 

With Love

Roshni Koul 

 

Brief : History of evolution of Kashmir

Brief : History of evolution of Kashmir

There are many stories on the evolution of the kashmir valley. The main prominent stories are the below two which .

In the first story -  

Mata Sharika (Goddess called by the name of Sharika) did her meditation here on the Rock Shilla named after Goddess Sharika who appeared in the form of Bird (Har kashmiri proverb)in order to Vanish the demons.

This is situated on the banks of famous dal lake were you can have the beautiful view of Dal lake from the temple fort.

Initially the whole of Kashmir was Sar (kashmiri proverb) that it was wholly surrounded by the water.

It was converted to its present form by the Kashyap Rishi who worshipped Goddess sharika in order to get it Converted to beautiful Kashmir Valley the real paradise on earth. Kashmir has inherited its name from the Kashyap Rishi who founded this beautiful valley. It is basically called Kashyap Bhumi. Kashmir is the land of great Saints & Rishi's. This Shilla (Rock) is the Epi center of energy which is always emitting the Positive energy to whole of Kashmir.

In the other story it is believed that

 According to legend, the Hari Parbat hill was once a huge lake inhabited by the demon Jalobhava. The inhabitants called on the goddess Parvati for help. She took the form of a bird and dropped a pebble on the demon’s head, which grew larger and larger until it crushed the demon. Hari Parbat is revered as that pebble, and is said to have become the home for all the gods of the Hindu pantheon.

Another version of the myth says that two demons, Tsand and Mond, occupied the fair valley. Tsand hid in the water near the present location of Hari Parbat and Mond somewhere above the present Dal Gate, and both terrorized the people of the valley. The gods invoked Parvati who assumed the form of a Hor (myna) and flew to Sumer, picked up a pebble in her beak, and threw it on the demon Tsand to crush him. The pebble grew into a mountain. Parvati is worshipped as Sharika in Shri Tsakra (an emblem of cosmic energy pervading the universe) occupying the middle part of the western slope of the hill. The hill is also called Predemna Peet.

On the birthday of Sharika Bhagwati, the devotees make a sacrificial offering of `Taher-charvan’ (Taher - rice boiled with turmeric powder and mixed with oil and salt; charvan - cooked liver of goat) to the goddess. This day is celebrated as Har Navum. 

Just when we believed we know everything about our history, cultures and traditions, 

There is some part of the history which is hidden and we only hear the adulterated stories from our parents . But dont you think there is something that the nature and valley, flowing rivers, tress known all the stories which we cannot even imagine.  

We will keep updating all that we have for Kashmiri Culture, Traditions rituals and spiritualism. Stay tuned to our website.