Religion
The religious identity of the Kashmiri Pandits is rigid. As Hindus, who are predominantly Saivites, they live their religion through their observance of pilgrimage and worship at several holy places in the valley. Now out of their land of birth for more than three decades, their living religion has suffered a body blow. The old traditions and religious practices are only to be found in several religious publications, ritual texts and Mahatmya texts. A cache of some important Kashmiri Pandit religious texts, prayer books forms a good resource of the religious heritage of the Pandits. The available extant literature can serve future generations an introduction to the religious beliefs and practices of their ancestors and thus help the present and future generations of Kashmiri Pandits retain touch with their past world.
Rituals
Rituals of Kashmiri Pandits constitute one of the strongest traits of their cultural and religious identity. The observance and their practices are quite old. Many practices are still followed but many more have become obsolete and defunct due to their changed geographical and cultural environment and due to the influence of their current social shift. The available literature can take one to the old world of KP ritual practices while also help in preserving their tradition for the posterity. The scant ritual literature is a valuable resource baton that can help maintain a cultural congruity between the old and the young of the community.
