ANANTNAG, May 17 -- Hundreds of people from multiple villages in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Sunday participated in the centuries-old Panzath festival, a traditional community event centered around cleaning freshwater springs that supply drinking water and irrigate agricultural land across the region.
The annual festival, locally known for collective fish-catching activities, was observed at the historic Panzath spring area near Qazigund, where residents entered streams and spring channels carrying traditional baskets and nets.
Locals said the real purpose of the event is not merely catching fish but cleaning and restoring the natural spring waters that continue to serve nearby villages through tap water systems and irrigation ne...