Goddess Ragnya Bhagwati is the titular goddess of millions
of Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir. She is the manifestation of Mother Goddess Adi
Shakti. The story of Goddess Ragnya Devi is found in the Hindu Scripture
Bringesh Samhita. She is the Mother from whose cosmic womb every single living
form appears.
The glory of the Goddess is narrated by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati and it is found in the Maha Ragnya Pradbhurbhav chapter in the Bringesh Samhita.
The glory of the Goddess is narrated by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati and it is found in the Maha Ragnya Pradbhurbhav chapter in the Bringesh Samhita.
Shiva gives out the secret of Goddess Ragnya Devi to Goddess
Parvati.
Story of Goddess Ragnya Devi
The Devi was first worshiped by the demon king Ravana of Ramayana.
Ravana once performed intense penance to please Shiva. When
Shiva appeared before him as boon he requested Shiva to bless him with the ever
presence of Adi Shakti in his kingdom.
Shiva gave the boon and Mother Goddess Adi Shakti started
residing in Lanka.
The prosperity of Lanka was due to the presence of the
Goddess.
But the abduction of Mata Sita angered the Goddess. She
asked Hanuman to take her to present day Kashmir.
Before leaving Lanka, Ragnya Bhagwati cursed Ravana that he
would be overpowered and killed by Rama and his Vanara army.
She traveled to Kashmir with thousands of her attendant
goddesses and the places where she stopped became sacred spots. She is believed
to have stopped at Raithan, Pokhribal, Lok Bhawan, Mazgan, Tikker, Shadipur and
Logripura in the Kashmir Valley.
She finally decided to settle down at Tulmulla in Ganderbal
District in Jammu and Kashmir.
After defeating Ravana, Lord Ram visited the temple to offer
his gratitude and to thank her for blessing him with victory.
It is believed that Hanuman permanently resides here as an
attendant of Ragnya Bhagwati.
Another strong belief here is that Lord Ram visits the
shrine on every Purnima or full moon day.
The main offering to Goddess Ragnya Bhagwati is Kheer –
sweet prepared using milk, rice, sugar and saffron. For this reason, she is
also known as Kheer Bhawani.
She is worshiped by devotees for peace and prosperity. She
blesses her devotees with fortune and sin redemption. She is the mother who
protects her children and does not allow any harm to befall on them.
A huge fair is held her annually on Jyeshta Shukla Paksha Ashtami. Devotees from across the world arrive here to offer prayers to Goddess Ragnya Devi. The fair is popularly known as Kheer Bhawani Mela.
A huge fair is held her annually on Jyeshta Shukla Paksha Ashtami. Devotees from across the world arrive here to offer prayers to Goddess Ragnya Devi. The fair is popularly known as Kheer Bhawani Mela.