Kheer Bhawani Festival In Kashmir

Kheer Bhawani Festival In Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir the heaven on earth, the picturesque vale studded with flowerbeds and glaciers harbors a homogenous culture. With coexistence of a large number of Hindus and Muslims in the valley, the fairs and festivals in Jammu and Kashmir are varied in color, spirit and their background. The Kheer Bhawani Srinagar is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the Kheer Bhawani Temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi and is located in the village of Tulla Mulla, at a distance of 27 kilometers from Srinagar. Devotees fast and gather here on the eighth day of the full moon during the auspicious month when, according to the belief, the goddess changes the color of the spring's waters. The temple was originally built by Kashmir's erstwhile King Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912 and later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh.

The festival is celebrated on 'Jyeshtha Ashtami'- the birthday of the Goddess Kheer Bhawani. This falls on June.

The devotees make offerings of flowers, lamps and of course kheer (traditional condensed milk) and pray for the well being of their family. Round the year thousands of devotees offer kheer at the feet of the goddess- it is believed that if your future holds something ominous, the goddess, knowing that would immediately turn the white kheer black making you careful and aware of your impending doom.