Kheer Bhawani Mela, also known as Kheer Bhawani Yatra, is the annual festival held at the temple of Mata Kheer Bhawani in Tulla Mulla village in Jammu and Kashmir
Khir Bhawani Yatra celebrates the discovery of the holy spring by a pious Brahmin. For some, the festival celebrates the arrival of Mata Ragnya (Khir Bhawani) to the valley.
Khir Bhawani Yatra celebrates the discovery of the holy spring by a pious Brahmin. For some, the festival celebrates the arrival of Mata Ragnya (Khir Bhawani) to the valley.
Legend has it that the idol of Goddess Bhavani was brought to Tula Mula 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.
The name Khir Bhawani comes from the deities favorite offering, rice pudding, which consist of rice cooked in milk and sugar.
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.
Thousands of people visit the shrine during the Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha Ashtami festival.
Mata Khir Bhawani shrine is located around 20 km east of Srinagar at Tulmulla in Ganderbal District
Hymns dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi are chanted on the occasion. People offer Kheer ( a sweet made using rice, milk, saffron and sugar) to the Goddess.
The mela is famous for local savories, after puja and prayers people step out to feast on local puris, halwas and lotus stem pakoras.
Hymns dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi are chanted on the occasion. People offer Kheer ( a sweet made using rice, milk, saffron and sugar) to the Goddess.
The mela is famous for local savories, after puja and prayers people step out to feast on local puris, halwas and lotus stem pakoras.