The festival of Mahashivaratri will be celebrated across the country on Friday. For this, special preparations are also going on in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the biggest festival of Kashmiri Pandits and is celebrated here with more pomp than other parts of the country. Kashmiri Pandits celebrate it as 'Hereth'. The word Herath is derived from the Sanskrit language which means Hindi Hararatri or Shivaratri. Herath is also considered a festival of preserving the intrinsic and positive values ​​of Kashmiri culture. Along with this it plays an important role in connecting people. Explain that Kashmiri Pandits establish Lord Shiva and his family in their homes on Mahashivaratri. It is believed that by doing this, Vatuknath lives as a guest in homes. Preparations start to celebrate it about a month in advance.

The utensils used in worship on this festival day are used as symbols. Depending on availability, many homes use old-time brass utensils. Lotus cucumber and kale cabbage are very important in this puja and home-made dishes. In Jammu and Kashmir it is known as Monji and Nadru.
Worship method
The Shiva family is established according to the Kashmiri calendar. These temples to be established earlier were called Thokur Kuth. This is where the family of Lord Shiva is established. Walnuts are filled in Kalash and Gagar. At the same time, there is a religious belief behind the use of walnuts in worship.

The nut is said to be the symbol of the four Vedas. At the same time, Sonipatul, which is considered a symbol of Lord Shiva, is worshiped. Along with this, after the Pancha Tattva (Panchamrat) bath, anointing of flowers, belpatra, dhatura is done with Mahimanapar. At the same time, Kashmiri Pandits complete the Shivratri festival by wishing each other herath after the worship process is completed.