Kheer Bhavani Temple - A Temple of Sacred Incarnation of Hindu Goddess Parvathy in Srinagar.

 

Kheer Bhavani Temple is dedicated to incarnation of Hindu Goddess Parvathy, also known as Ksheer Bhawani or the Ragnya Devi. The temple is situated in the Tulmulla village at a distance of 25 kilometres north-east of Srinagar. The temple is constructed over a natural sacred spring. The term kheer refers to a milk and rice pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir, most of them who worship her as their protective patron deity Kuladevi. The sacred spring here has its own attached belief. There is a strong belief among Mata Khir Bhawani devotees that when the color of the water of holy spring turns black something unpleasant is going to happen. The architecture of the temple is simple yet beautifully created using smooth grey stones. Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh contributed to building and renovating the temple. There are other temples to Kheer Bhawani in the region, such as Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tikker, Kupwara, which has been renovated by the Indian Army. It is especially revered by the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. 

 

 

In the temple complex, an image of Ragnya Devi is placed in small shrine made in white marble. The Goddess Ragnya is depicted in the form of a natural hexagonal spring that is adored by the devotees. The temple of Ragnya Devi is popularly known as Kheer Bhavani Temple, due to the fact that devotees offer 'Kheer' (Sweet dish made of milk) to the consecrated spring. It is alleged that 'kheer' turns black in color, presaging about the approaching disaster. Legend has it that the idol of Goddess Bhavani was brought to Tulmulla Village by Lord Hanuman from Lanka after the epic battle in Ramayana. The idol of Goddess Bhavani was worshiped by Ravana and he had got the idol after intense austerities. Once Ravana was defeated by Lord Ram, Goddess asked Hanuman to shift her from Lanka.

 

 

Kheer Bhawani Mela, also known as Kheer Bhawani Yatra, is the annual festival held at the temple of Mata Kheer Bhawani in Tulmulla village in Jammu and Kashmir. Kheer Bhawani Mela 2023 date is May 28. It is observed on the Ashtami day during Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Jyeshta month (June – July). On the particular day, devotees observe a fast and gather at the temple to pay their homage to the Goddess. The festival is concluded with 'Maha Yagna' to please Ragnya Devi. The mela is famous for local savories, after puja and prayers people step out to feast on local puris, halwas and lotus stem pakoras. Thousands of people visit the shrine during the Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha Ashtami festival. It is one of the largest gatherings of Hindus in the region following the Amarnath pilgrimage.

 

 

Mata Kheer Bhavani Temple is located around 25 km east of Srinagar at Tulmulla village in Ganderbal District, Jammu and Kashmir. The nearest Airport is located at Srinagar which is at a distance of 47 Km. There are two nearest Railway Stations from Ganderbal District, Jammu which is around 295 Km and Udhampur Railway Station is around 220 km. Ganderbal district is well connected by road network. Regular bus services are available to major cities of Jammu & Kashmir.