Kashmir News Bureau Exclusive
Srinagar, Dec 19 (KNB): Kheer Bhawani temple dedicated to the Goddess Kheer Bhawani (originally just Bhawani) constructed over a sacred spring. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir. The temple is situated at Ganderbal district in village of Tul Mul. The term kheer refers to rice pudding that is offered in the spring to propitiate the Goddess, which became part of the name of the temple. As is the custom with Hindu deities, she has many names: Maharagya Devi, Ragnya Devi, Rajni, Ragnya Bhagwati, and so on.
Kashmiri Pandits believe that the color of the spring inside the shrine annually predicts Kashmir’s future.
A visit to this sacred place reveals that in this mad world of hate and growing extremism still we have a hope for better tomorrow of a world where love and peace dominate . The trust managing the affairs of temple is jointly run by the local Muslims and Hindus.
Ghulam Rasool, a middle aged local of Tul Mul and Trustee states – “We the local pandit community and Muslim community believe in brotherhood and peace. We both respect and adore this place. The overall affairs of the temple are run jointly by the Muslim and Pandit trustees with more than dozen members from each community over viewing the smooth functioning and ensuring the facilities to devotees .”
Locals state that one striking thing about this year’s three-day festival held at Kheer Bhawani temple was when the visiting pilgrims were moved to tears seeing the warmth shown by Muslim organizers.
“This place represents the religious and civilization significance of Kashmir . We are a more than 5000 year old civilization and have seen many ups and downs. Kashmir is incomplete without Pandits and we are very much happy that message of brotherhood and urge for peace is alive on ground zero. Mata Kheer Bhawani temple has tremendous importance and we come to pray here with zeal, hope and full faith,” stated a young migrant Pandit youth, who had come all the way from Gurgaon. (KNB)