Revered Khirbhavani Mandir, Ganderbal
| Jammu Kashmir Now | The facts and information abou 15-Jan-2019 |
Located in Tullamula of Srinagar district, Kheer Bhavani Temple is a highly revered shrine amongst the Hindus. The temple is situated in the middle of a natural spring and tourists often visit the temple out of curiosity. Khir Bhawani Mandir is set amidst the picturesque surroundings covered with the trees of Chinar. The temple is dedicated to Ragnya Devi (form of Goddess Durga). Certain devotees believe that Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess Ragnya, during his exile. When the exile period was completed, Lord Rama asked Lord Hanuman to relocate the shrine of the Goddess. Lord Hanuman relocated the shrine of the Goddess to Shadipora. According to some other devotees, Ragnya Devi appeared in the dream of a priest by the name of Raghunath Gadroo and asked him to shift her shrine to the present place. Subsequently, the shrine was shifted in the village of TullaMulla. The original temple was constructed by Maharana Pratap Singh in 1912. Later, it was renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. In the temple complex, an image of Ragnya Devi is placed in small shrine made in white marble.
Devotees offer milk and kheer to the resident deity. Popular with all tourists, it is especially revered by the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. The architecture of the temple is simple yet beautifully created using smooth grey stones. Devotees believe that the waters in and around temple turns black to serve as a warning for any looming calamity. Kheer Bhavani Temple is special, not for the reason of its architecture, but for the unusual tradition of offering Kheer to the presiding deity. The temple can be reached easily from Srinagar by regular tourist buses and taxis.
An annual festival is celebrated by the temple on the occasion of Shukla Paksha Ashtami. On the particular day, devotees observe a fast and gather at the temple to pay their homage to the Goddess. Likewise, Jesht Ashtami (May-June) is another occasion, when people come from and near to have a glimpse of the Goddess. It is said that on this day, the spring changes its color with the blessings of the Goddess. The festival is concluded with 'Maha Yagna' to please Ragnya Devi.
The security forces in its precincts attracted rocket attacks on April 4, 1991, which chipped some concrete off the outer gate. It again came under attack on May 4. Bullet marks can be seen on the other structures.