Kheer Bhavani Temple is special, not for the reason
of its architecture, but for the unusual tradition of offering Kheer to
the presiding deity. Located in Tullamula of Srinagar district, Kheer
Bhavani Temple is a highly revered shrine amongst the Hindus. The temple
can be reached easily from Srinagar by regular tourist buses and taxis.
Khir Bhawani Mandir is set amidst the picturesque surroundings covered
with the trees of Chinar.
Kheer Bhavani Temple is dedicated to Ragnya Devi (form of Goddess
Durga). As per the legends, Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess Ragnya, for
the period of 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 another legend, 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.
The Goddess Ragnya is depicted in the form of a natural hexagonal spring
that is adored by the devotees. The temple of Ragnya Devi is popularly
known as Kheer Bhavani Temple, due to the fact that devotees offer
'Kheer' (Sweet dish made of milk) to the consecrated spring. It is
alleged that 'kheer' turns black in color, presaging about the
approaching disaster.
Festival
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.
