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If Mahakumbh is to Prayagraj, `Dashaar’ is to Kashmir!

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

The Mahakumbh Mela, a grand Hindu spiritual gathering held once every 144 years, is currently underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This event began on January 13, 2025, and will conclude on February 26, 2025, attracting millions of devotees to the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

In the cultural and spiritual landscape of Kashmir, the  one day festival of Dashaar holds a similar reverence. Unlike the Mahakumbh’s regular cycle, Dashaar’s occurrence depends on a rare celestial alignment involving ten celestial bodies, giving the festival its name—“Dash” (ten) and “Haar” (alignment). The timing is unpredictable, with gaps ranging from 10 to 75 years, making Dashaar a rare and mystical event in Kashmiri tradition.

Prayag Chinar at Shadipur, Kashmir

The Mystical Dashaar  of Shadipur, Kashmir

Organised  at the confluence of the Jhelum (Vitasta) and Sindh rivers in Shadipur, present-day Ganderbal district, Dashaar is a spiritual spectacle that mirrors the grandeur of the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. The confluence, known as Prayag Chinar, is regarded as sacred, with the Sindh river symbolizing the Ganga and the Vitasta representing the Yamuna, as described in the Nilmata Purana.

Historical records from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives and Archaeology indicate that Dashaar was last celebrated before Partition on June 4, 1941. This event drew over 100,000 pilgrims, far surpassing the expected 40,000 attendees. The Maharaja’s administration allocated resources for rescue boats, medical facilities, and security, showcasing the festival’s importance. The 1941  Dashaar corresponding to 22nd Jyeshta, 1998 Vikram Samvat, was declared a public holiday in the districts of Baramulla, Anantnag and Muzaffarabad. Jammu and Kashmir  Maharaja’s government had allocated Rs 200 for rescue boats and ropes, kept Rs 500 for unforeseen expenses and deployed 100 Maharaja Guards and Medical Officers from Sumbal and Ganderbal. Deputy Chief Security General was the 1941 festival incharge.

In 1911, Dashaar festival  had faced a terrible cholera outbreak, requiring treatment for 3,063 pilgrims. A 16-year-old  Kashmiri Pandit boy, whose identity was not revealed, had  lost his life when a boat had  overturned.

An elderly Kashmiri Pandit woman with her daughter during 2016 Kashmir Dashaar

The Revival of Dashaar

After a 75-year hiatus, Dashaar was revived on June 14, 2016, under astrological conditions aligning with its  ten unique celestial prerequisites, including  a Tuesday or Wednesday in Jyeshta (June), Moon in Virgo, the Sun in Taurus and the presence of Ananda Yog. Kashmiri Pandits, who had already gathered for the Mela Kheer Bhawani-2016, participated in Dashaar, adding to the spiritual fervor.

The 2016 Dashaar featured extensive arrangements, including transportation, sanitation and security. The iconic Chinar tree at the confluence, famously photographed by Fred Bremner in 1905, remained a focal point, surrounded by water and accessible only by boat. Worshippers paid homage at the Shiva Lingam located at the site, reaffirming the festival’s deep spiritual roots.

Prayag Chinar at Shadipur, Kashmir in 1905, photographed by Fred Bremner

Dashaar’s Significance in Kashmiri Heritage

Dashaar’s rarity and the uncertainty of its occurrence have enshrined it in Kashmiri folklore as Dahi Veher Dashaar”— literary once-in-a-blue-moon event. The festival is documented in sacred texts like the Dharma Sindhu and the Dashaar Nirnay, with detailed astrological calculations determining its timing. Experts suggest that future Dashaar may occur in 2026, 2028, 2052 or 2091, adhering to the minimum gap of  10, 12, 36 or 75 years  that is prerequisite for the celestial alignments.

While Mahakumbh Mela and Dashaar differ in their cycles and cultural contexts, they share the essence of spiritual purification, divine connection and the celebration of cosmic order. Both festivals stand as timeless testaments to India’s rich heritage, drawing millions to witness the sacred interplay of the earthly and the celestial.

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