‘Vitasta’ is festival to show true colour of Kashmir
Recently, the Union Home Minister addressed as the chief guest at the Vitasta Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture in Srinagar.
The Home Minister said that those who consider Jhelum as a river, do not recognize human culture and its height. He said that Jhelum has been the best witness of human civilization, and this Vitasta festival organized here is a festival to show Kashmir to the whole world.
The objective of Vitasta Mahotsav is to introduce the entire country to the great cultural heritage, diversity and uniqueness of Kashmir. The festival focuses on the folk beliefs associated with the Vitasta (Jhelum) river, which has been considered very sacred since Vedic times.
The mention of this river is found in many ancient texts like Neelmat Purana, Vitasta Mahamaya, Harcharita Chintamani, Rajatarangini. It is believed that the pure currents of this revered river destroy all the evils of human nature.
Jhelum River:
- The Jhelum River has five major tributaries; The Sutlej is one of the major tributaries of the Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum which eventually merge into the Indus River in Pakistan.
- Jhelum is a west flowing river.
- The Jhelum (Vyeth in Kashmiri, Vitasta in Sanskrit and Hydaspes in Greek) is the main waterway of the Kashmir Valley.
- The Jhelum River originates from a spectacular spring called “Chashma Verinag”, which is located at the foot of the Banihal Pass in the south eastern corner of the Kashmir Valley.
- The basin of this river has a 4675 m high grotto and the highest peaks of Brahmaskal. The Lidder River is the main source of water for the Jhelum River.
Source – PIB
