Anantnag:- Panzath village in Qazigund, located in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, came alive with joy and tradition as residents celebrated a centuries-old cleaning and fishing festival known as “Panzath Nag” this week. This unique and deeply rooted tradition, held annually, brings together hundreds of villagers to clean the spring and engage in a collective fishing activity that symbolises both environmental awareness and community bonding.
The word “Panzath” is derived from “Paanch Hath,” meaning “five hundred springs,” and the area is famed for its abundance of freshwater springs. These springs feed into rivers and streams in the region, playing a crucial role in the local ecosystem.
The festival, usually held in May, begins with the voluntary cleaning of the spring—villagers remove silt, algae, and waste to ensure the purity of the water source. Following the cleaning, locals, including men, women, and children, dive into the spring with traditional tools and bare hands to catch fish. The caught fish are either cooked and shared among participants or taken home, symbolising unity and celebration of nature’s bounty.
“This festival is not just about fishing; it’s about reconnecting with our roots, respecting nature, and strengthening social ties,” said a local elder. He also emphasised the importance of preserving this age-old tradition for future generations.
Despite the challenges posed by modernisation and environmental threats, the villagers of Panzath continue to uphold this remarkable tradition with enthusiasm and pride, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Authorities and environmental activists have praised the festival, urging that similar eco-friendly traditions be promoted across Jammu and Kashmir to foster sustainable community participation in water conservation efforts.
