Kheer Bhawani Temple
A Journey of Faith and Peace!
Kheer Bhawani Temple is a famous religious shrine of Kashmir valley. It is located in Tulmulla village, Ganderbal district, at a distance of 25 kilometres from Srinagar. The place is spiritually significant especially for Kashmiri Pandits.
Kheer Bhawani Temple gets its name from the popular Indian dessert, Kheer, made with milk, rice and sugar. People offer the sweet Kheer to Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. People often refer to the Supreme Deity by different names such as Devi, Mata, Rajna, Bhagvati, etc.
The temple is built on a holy spring which is believed to change colour with different seasons. It is seen in tints of red, pink, orange, green, white and blue. If it turns black, it is considered inauspicious and is believed to be a sign of disaster in the valley.
The belief and faith of locals in Kheer Bhawani Temple is immeasurable. With the grand Mela and other festivities, it is often showcased how important the temple is for pilgrims. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kashmir for a holistic religious tour.
Here is a brief account regarding the history and architecture of Kheer Bhawani Temple, Kashmir. We have mentioned the ways to reach here too. Take a glance!
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Kheer Bhawani Mela
Kheer Bhawani Mela marks one of the biggest religious gatherings in Kashmir Valley. It is celebrated during the Jyestha Ashtami in the month of May-June. As the Mela starts, the pilgrims walk barefoot to the temple with flowers, milk, and Kheer to offer the Goddess. They start by taking a holy dip in the nearby spring and then offer prayers at the Kheer Bhawani Temple.
Though the festival is relatively significant for Kashmiri Pandits, it does showcase the communal harmony with even muslims making arrangements of flowers and other offerings for devotees.
If you visit the Temple in June, you surely can participate in one of the biggest festivals of Kashmir. The mela is an exemplary part of Hindus’ cultural heritage.
Read here: Best time to Visit Kashmir
History and Story of Kheer Bhawani Temple
The temple of Kheer Bhawani finds its mention in different books starting from the historic Rajtarangini written by Kalhana.
There are abundant legends of the temple. The most popular legend that led to the establishment of Kheer Bhawani temple was that the Goddess raganiya appeared in the dreams of a local Pandit named Raghunath Gadru. It is believed that the goddess instructed him about the current location of the temple in the Tulmulla district.
Another story in the context of Kheer Bhawani temple is that the temple was originally located in Sri Lanka where Ravana used to worship the Goddess with immense dedication. However when he captured Mata Sita, the Goddess became very angry and asked Lord Hanuman to shift her to Kashmir.
It is even said that Lord Rama worshipped goddess Bhagwati at one time in Satyug.
Architecture of Kheer Bhawani Temple
The kheer Bhawani Temple draws huge inspiration from the Kashmiri as well as Mughal architectural style. It is said that in the Mughal period of Akbar some construction work was done for the temple resulting in different arches and domes.
Some basic layouts are also from the Hindu temple architecture such as the santrum where the goddess’ idol is present and the Mandapam where devotees gather and offer their prayers to the Devi.
Temple walls of the temple complex have intricate designs which can be dated back to ancient times. The current version of the temple, spring and pond was built by the former king of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Pratap Singh in the early 20th century. Some renovation work was done by Maharaja Hari Singh as well in the later years.
Location and How to Reach Kheer Bhawani Temple
The popular khir Bhawani temple is located in the Tulmulla village, Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. The total distance between Srinagar and Kheer Bhawani temple is about 25 km and takes approximately 1 hour depending on the driving speed and traffic on the road.
There are many ways to reach Kheer Bhawani Temple
By Air: Sheikh ul Alam International Airport or Srinagar airport is the nearest one. With regular flights available from different cities it connects Kashmir to the rest of India. From the airport either you can first visit the Srinagar city and then continue your journey to Kheer Bhavani temple or you can go directly to kheer Bhawani Temple from the airport. The total distance between the temple and the airport is about 30 km and takes 40-45 minutes to reach. Cabs and Taxis are easily available from the airport.
By train: Srinagar railway station is the nearest rail head. The station is connected to major cities of Kashmir. From the station the Kheer Bhavani temple is about 25 km away. Book a taxi or share a cab to reach the shrine.
By Bus: for a more budget friendly option, you can take a bus from Srinagar bus stand to Kheer Bhawani Temple; there are many private or government owned buses operating between the two places. The fair is quite reasonably priced between INR 50-100.
Taxis or Cab: With the Srinagar taxi services you can hire a cab or taxi. Via a road trip the total travel duration is about an hour.
Private Car: visiting Kheer Bhawani Temple by yourself gives you the freedom to explore the place at your own pace. The best route to reach Kheer Bhawani Temple from Srinagar is via Srinagar-Tangmarg Highway (NH1D). Continue driving on this Highway for about 20 km and then take a left turn to the tulmulla village. It is another 5 to 7 km right till you reach the Kheer Bhawani Temple.
Nearby Attractions of Kheer Bhawani Temple
Manasbal Lake
One of the popular attractions located near the Kheer Bhawani Temple. The distance between both the spots is nearly 8 kilometres and can easily be covered by a taxi or cab. The Manasbal Lake resides in the Safapora area of Ganderbal district, Kashmir. Adorned by mesmerising Lotus flowers in the centre, the place is often visited for sightseeing, picnics and light strolls. Recalled as one of the deepest lakes of Kashmir, it is every birdwatcher’s bliss.
Read our blog: Things to do in Kashmir
Awantipora
Pampore
Shankaracharya Temple
At an height of 1100 feet, Shankaracharya Temple is situated on the Takht-e-Suleiman Hill. The main deity of the holy shrine is Lord Shiva with many pilgrims coming here to seek blessings. The temple gives a panoramic view of the Capital City, Srinagar. While the timing of the temple is 7:30 AM to 6 PM, early morning hours are the most convenient time to visit. 35 kilometres separate Shankaracharya Temple and Kheer Bhawani Temple and the travel time is less than an hour.
Lal Chowk
When visiting the temple, you can also explore the local markets at Lal Chowk. With various shops selling Kashmiri architecture like Pashmina Shawls, Handicrafts, spices, dry fruits, a shopping spree at one of the oldest spots of Srinagar is a must-to-do thing. You can also explore the place by taking a stroll in the evening and engaging in an exciting conversation with the locals. About 24 kilometres is the distance between Kheer Bhawani Temple and Lal Chowk to be covered in about 50 minutes.
