Navreh Mubarak greeting card
A greeting for Navreh, the Kashmiri New Year, to share on WhatsApp.
Navreh: the Kashmiri New Year
Navreh is the Kashmiri Pandit New Year, celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, which falls in March or April. It is dedicated to the goddess Sharika, a form of Durga worshipped at Hari Parbat in Srinagar.
Navreh begins a new year of the Saptarishi Samvat, the traditional Kashmiri calendar, which Kashmiri Hindu tradition dates to 3076 BCE. It is often described as one of the oldest calendars still in use.
Thaal barun: the plate of the new year
On the night before Navreh, usually the eldest woman of the house prepares the thaal: a plate, ideally of bronze, filled with rice or paddy. It holds the things a family hopes the year will bring. Typical items are:
- Walnuts and almonds, and a little curd, salt and sugar.
- Bread or rice cakes (tchochvor) and a little cooked rice.
- A pen and inkpot, and the new almanac (nachipatra) with the kreel pach scroll.
- Fresh and dried flowers, wye herb and new grass.
- A small mirror, and some money or gold and silver coins.
The morning of Navreh
The first thing each family member does on Navreh morning is look at the uncovered thaal, beginning the year with a sight of abundance. Many then take a walnut from the thaal to offer into a river as thanksgiving, and visit a temple, above all Sharika's, with offerings of tahar, turmeric rice cooked in ghee.
Navreh Mubarak wishes you can use
- Navreh Mubarak! May Mata Sharika bless you with health, happiness and prosperity in the new year.
- May the new year bring you and your family joy, good health and abundance. Navreh Mubarak!
- Wishing you a year as full as the Navreh thaal. Navreh Mubarak!
- On this Navreh, may every new page of the year bring you peace and success.
- Navreh Mubarak from our family to yours, with love and warm wishes for the year ahead.
How to make your Navreh card
- 1
Start from the example
The card opens with 'Navreh Mubarak' and a new-year message.
- 2
Personalise it
Change the message (or use one of the wishes above) and add your family's name.
- 3
Pick a design
Arch in green or saffron suits a new-year greeting.
- 4
Share it
Download the square image and send it on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
When is Navreh celebrated?
On Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, in March or April. It is the first day of the new year of the Saptarishi Samvat.
What is thaal barun?
Thaal barun is the preparation, on the night before Navreh, of a plate filled with rice, walnuts, curd, salt, a pen, the new almanac, flowers, a mirror and money, which the family looks at first thing on New Year's morning.
Which goddess is worshipped on Navreh?
Navreh is dedicated to the goddess Sharika, a form of Durga, whose shrine is at Hari Parbat in Srinagar.
What is the Saptarishi Samvat?
The Saptarishi Samvat is the traditional Kashmiri Hindu calendar, which the community's tradition dates to 3076 BCE. Navreh is its New Year's Day.
How do you wish someone on Navreh?
The usual greeting is 'Navreh Mubarak'.
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