I stored listening to of Kheer Bhawani at many seminars and conferences. Each time her point out added a power that was pulling me in the direction of her. Given the turbulent occasions in Kashmir, one is rarely positive if one can go to the temples in Kashmir. I suppose, sooner or later in time, the pull turns into robust sufficient to create alternatives that take you to your deity.
Final month, I used to be in Srinagar for a Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Conclave. This was my alternative to go to temples in and round Srinagar. Although I visited Kheer Bhawani in the long run, she is the primary one I’m writing about. Perhaps it’s the aura that I carried again with me. I additionally suppose it was absolutely the peace I felt at her small temple surrounded by tall bushes.
Who’s Kheer Bhawani?
Nicely, her actual identify and kind is Ragnya or Maharagnya Devi. It’s the second identify of the Devi talked about in Lalita Sahasranama. Her kind is that of an empress that guidelines the world. In different phrases, she is the one who sustains the world after it has been created by her within the type of a mom. Sooner or later in time, she would additionally dissolve this creation again into the place it got here from. Nonetheless, this manner is sustained by nurturing and rising and offering all the pieces we have to lead a superb life.
She is among the few Satvik Devis in Kashmir, and he or she loves Kheer. Each morning recent Kheer is ready for her, which is first provided to her after which savored by the devotees as Prasad.
It’s believed that nobody can enter the temple after consuming alcohol or meat. Individuals on the temple informed me many tales of how those that tried to return, may by no means attain the temple of the Devi. I tree department fell on somebody or somebody abruptly fainted as they tried reaching the temple contained in the premises.
Like all divine moms, she additionally fulfills all the needs of her devotees. Temple board additionally tells us that she likes to bless students and people who are pursuing increased studying. No marvel many showing for various exams come to take her blessings.
Legends of Kheer Bhawani
It’s stated that she was the Kuldevi of Asura king Ravana in Sri Lanka. He worshiped her as Maharagnyi Devi and he or she blessed him with every kind of prosperity. She was sad with Ravana for his adharmic acts through the time of the Ramayan or Ram-Ravan battle. She left Sri Lanka and ordered Hanuman ji to take her to Satisar within the Himalayas.
Satisar is an outdated identify of Kashmir. She then got here and settled in Kashmir valley on the base of a Tul tree. The place got here to be referred to as Tulmul or just the foundation of the Tul tree. The village nonetheless is understood by the identical identify.
Nagas
It’s also stated that she introduced 360 Nagas or serpents along with her, who proceed to reside within the pond surrounding her temple. They are often seen as and when the pond is cleaned throughout festivals.
Pond is named Amrit Kunda and the Nagas occupy completely different positions inside this kunda. Ganapati, Bhimraj, and Kumar reside on the door of this kunda. Ashta Naga devatas reside on the middle of the kunda in the direction of the east. These 8 Naga devatas embrace Vasuki, Takshak, Neel, Mahapadma Nagas, and others. Within the center is the Anantnaga surrounded by a thousand nagas with two thousand eyes and as many tongues. Maharagnya Devi sits on high of a thousand-petaled lotus on high of Anant Naga.
In the event you perceive Kundalini, this temple represents the Sahasrara or the crown chakra the place the Devi sits on a thousand-petalled lotus on the finish of a serpent coil. Keep in mind, geographically, that is additionally the highest tip of the Indian subcontinent.
It’s a small spring-fed pond with distinctly milky blue waters, which has its personal legends.
The milky blue colour of the water might be as a result of all of the milk that’s provided to her by the devotees. Nonetheless, the blue colour is stunning because it nearly appears like a modern-day swimming pool in an upmarket place. If this colour is uncommon, the story of the change in colour is much more uncommon.
Water Adjustments Colour
They are saying that each time a calamity is about to hit Kashmir, the colour of this pond will get a reddish tinge. The larger the calamity, the stronger is the shade of crimson on this pond. I’m not positive if we are able to perceive these phenomena rationally however there may be ample proof out there to validate this declare. The Temple board says that pink and inexperienced colour signifies an auspicious omen whereas crimson and black point out an inauspicious one. The folks although declare to have seen largely shades of crimson and so they have a violent incident to correlate with every of those occurrences. A British official additionally observed a violet colour within the pond.
By the way, the Kashmiri phrase for springs can also be Naga, and this temple is certainly surrounded by a lot of them. Some additionally interpret Nagas or serpents to be current right here in Jal-Rupa or within the type of water, which most likely takes a serpentine route.
As I wrote in my e book Lotus In The Stone our temples and sacred areas saved a variety of coded info. We could not perceive them, however they have been each sensible and mystical. This one would fall within the class of being mystical.
Historical past of Kheer Bhawani Temple
Until the center of 19th CE, the temple was surrounded by marshes. Individuals need to stroll over reeds to go to it. Someday a Brahmin known as Govindraj Gadoo had a imaginative and prescient of the serpent goddess right here. He took a ship and a few milk and reached this place. He provided milk and I assume that is how the custom of providing milk to the Devi would have began.
The current temple was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912 CE, making it greater than 100 years outdated, however the place is historical. It was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. Earlier than them, Maharaja Ranbir Singh had constructed a Dharamshala right here.
I used to be informed that Swai Vivekananda spent an evening right here on this temple throughout his Kashmir go to. The oldest point out of the temple goes again to Bhrigu Samhita and Kalhana’s Rajatarangini.
The temple stands in the course of a hexagonal spring in white marble. It’s a tiny temple that’s considered from a mandapa throughout the pond. The priest places a plank to achieve the temple solely to supply prasad and do Arti. The remainder of the time, the temple stands alone within the water.
All devotees sit within the mandapa, which is massive, and provide all the pieces from there.
Visiting the Temple
I drove out of Srinagar early morning, each to keep away from the made vacationer site visitors of the town in addition to to have ample time on the temple. As quickly as we stepped out of Srinagar and entered the Ganderbal district, we noticed a meandering Sindhu River.
I’ve seen Sindhu or Indus River in Ladakh, the place it’s pristine blue. Right here you meet her simply earlier than she is about to merge with Vitasta, meandering and transferring like a shy younger lady. It appears stunning. The temple comes a little bit after you meet the river.
On the temple entrance, I had to offer ID proof to enter and undergo the safety examine. I hope this goes away sometime and we are able to fearlessly go to the Devi whose hand is all the time raised in Abhaya mudra, meant to guard us.
Simply exterior the temple arch, is a canal-like pond. On both aspect are the washing ghats for women and men. Early morning, many individuals have been taking baths and it gave me solace that the temple traditions have been being adopted.
The Arch reads a shloka and the Bija mantra of Maharagnya Devi.
After the arch, I used to be in a pretty big compound the place small temples in crimson and yellow have been current. My first visible right here was that of an aged individual being carried on a Doli or a palanquin by his household and brought across the temple. It immediately informed me concerning the deep religious significance the temple holds for its devotees.
Maharagnya Devi Temple
I proceeded to the primary temple first, circuiting the blue pond. I’ll always remember the divine darshan of the Devi who’s sitting right here together with Shiva. It isn’t typically we see them collectively at one place. In entrance of them is a Gaddi. Adorned with Shringar, what stands out in her Vigraha is her eyes, filled with compassion.
The temple complicated has small temples devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Hanuman, and Durga. There are lots of small crimson miniature temples the place some historical stones are worshiped. It’s tough to determine who these deities are, besides some Naga figures which are seen. Tall Chinar bushes encompass the temple. You nearly really feel protected by them, minimize off from the tensions that encompass the air within the valley.
Within the small kitchen, Kheer was being ready for the morning prasad. One individual was pounding dry fruits whereas the opposite was chopping coconut to go together with it. Shortly, I might style this as prasad.
I sat down for about an hour doing my Puja. I noticed folks coming with a Thali filled with Halwa and providing it to Sri Maharagnya Devi after which providing it to everybody current there. It turned out to be my heavy breakfast that day.
Simply strolling across the temple, I wished to spend some extra time, however possibly one other time. I’m so joyful I visited her.
Outdoors the temple, there’s a lane of prasad outlets with a dominant crimson colour.
Annual Yatra & Festivals
The annual Yatra of Kheer Bhawani takes place on Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtmani and falls round June. Many devotees, particularly for households who worship her as Kuldevi, go to throughout this time.
J&Ok Dharmarth Belief runs this temple in addition to the Yatra. They make sufficient preparations to accommodate Yatris visiting the temple.
The truth is, Shukla Ashtami each month is particular at this temple, and plenty of devotees go to on this present day.
In the course of the Amarnath Yatra, preparations are made for the pilgrims to have an evening halt or a meals cease on the Kheer Bhawani temple.
Journey Ideas
- TulMul is about 25-30 km away from Srinagar. It takes about an hour to achieve the place. Taxis are simply out there to take you there.
- You want an hour or so to see and expertise the temple. Mornings are all the time a superb time to go to.
- Respect the principles of the temple. Don’t go to it after consuming meat or alcohol.
- Throughout winter months, the temple will get a variety of snowfall.
Manasbal Lake and an historical 9th CE temple of Shiva are additionally closeby and may simply be performed together with Kheer Bhawani temple. The lake is surrounded by stunning mountains, filled with Shikaras and wonderful pink lotuses. It’s thought of the deepest freshwater lake in Asia. The identify suggests a reference to Lake Mansarovar near Kailash Parvat in Tibet.
If time permits you can even do the Wullar lake with it.