| Kheer Bhawani | |
|---|---|
Khir, Ksheer, Kshir Bhawani, Ragnya Devi temple, Tulmul temple | |
 The Goddess in an atmalinga form (see Linga) at Kheer Bhawani | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Deity | Ragnya Devi |
| Festival | Mela Kheer Bhawani, Jyeshtha Ashtami |
| Location | |
| Location | Tulmulla, Ganderbal |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Jammu and Kashmir  Kheer Bhawani Temple (India) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°13′16″N 74°43′48″E / 34.22111°N 74.73000°E |
| Elevation | 1,592 m (5,223 ft) |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
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Kheer Bhawani, Ksheer Bhawani or the Ragnya Devi temple[a] is a Hindu temple situated at a distance of 25 kilometres (16 mi) north-east of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, in the village of Tulmulla [b] in Ganderbal. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kheer Bhavani constructed over a sacred spring.[6][7] As is the custom with Hindu deities, the goddess has many names including Ragnya or Rajna,[c] along with variations in honorifics such as Devi, Mata or Bhagavati.[8][9] 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.[10]
The sacred spring here has its own attached belief. An eponymously named mela is held annually here.[11] It is one of the largest gatherings of Hindus in the region following the Amarnath pilgrimage.[12] Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh contributed to building and renovating the temple.[13][4]
There are other temples to Kheer Bhawani in the region, such as Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tikker, Kupwara.[14]
- ^ Dhar, Poshkar Nath (2019). Famous Shrines of Hindus in Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir: Poshkar Nath Dhar. pp. Page 3, 4, 5.
- ^ a b c "Zyeth Atham 2018: Why Jyeshtha Ashtami is important for Kashmiri Pandits". Zee News. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Majid, Zulfikar (18 June 2021). "Annual 'Kheer Bhawani Mela' observed in Kashmir amid Covid-19". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Wakhlu, Somnath (30 December 2021). Kashmir: Tul Mul. The Holy Shrine of Kheer Bhawani. Text reproduced from: The Rich Heritage of Jammu and Kashmir Studies in Art, Architecture, History and Culture of the Region By Prof. Somnath Wakhlu. ISBN 9788121205702. Retrieved 20 July 2015 – via Kashmir Pandit Network (ikashmir.net).
- ^ Jameel, Yusuf (21 June 2018). "Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits converge at Kheer Bhawani". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Chauhan, Abha (2021). Understanding Culture and Society in India: A Study of Sufis, Saints and Deities in Jammu Region. Springer Nature. pp. xxv. ISBN 978-981-16-1598-6.
- ^ Pandita, Sanjay (18 June 2021). "Tul Mula: Abode of Goddess Mata Ragyina". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Dhar, Triloki Nath (1 January 2006). Kashmiri Pandit Community: A Profile. Mittal Publications. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-8324-177-9.
- ^ Lawrence, Walter Roper (1895). The Valley of Kashmir. pp. 296, 297.
- ^ Raina, Irfan (18 June 2021). "Mela Kheer Bhawani today". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ Hussain, Ashiq (30 May 2020). "After Kashmiri Pandits heartwarming wishes on Eid, Muslims reciprocate on Kheer Bhawani". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Kheer Bhawani Temple in Kashmir". www.jktdc.co.in. Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
Maharaja Pratap Singh built this temple in 1912, which was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh.
- ^ Wani, Ashraf (18 December 2021). "Temple of Mata Kheer Bhawani renovated by Army on Minority Rights Day in J&K's Kupwara". India Today. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
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