Shree Kheer Bhawani Durga Temple

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Tags : Temple

Timings : 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Kheer Bhawani Temple, Srinagar Overview

Shree Kheer Bhawani Temple, in Tul Mulla village near Srinagar, is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Bhawani, an incarnation of Parvati. Originally called Bhavani Mandir, it came to be known as Kheer Bhawani after the kheer (rice pudding) offered as prasad. The temple stands over a sacred spring, surrounded by tall chinar trees.

The presiding goddess of this temple, Kheer Bhavani is prominently worshipped as the shielding deity of Kuladevi. This goddess is also known by many other names such as Ragnya Bhagwati, Ragnya Devi, Rajni and Maharagya Devi. Besides, this is one of the most revered sites in Kashmir, especially for Kashmiri Pandits. There are mats spread out under the surrounding Chinar trees for visitors to rest. However, photography may not always be allowed here.

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Kheer Bhawani Temple Legend

Hindu mythology has it that the image of Kheer Bhavani was formerly set up in Sri Lanka by the Ramayana character, Raavan. This happened when Raavan was blessed for his devotion by Maharagya. Enraged by Raavan's unrighteous ways of life, the goddess exclaimed to Lord Hanuman to transport this image to Tulmul, where it now stays.

Architecture of Kheer Bhawani Temple

The main altar of the Kheer Bhawani Temple is built amidst a pond. This structure hosts a marble platform on which the idol of the goddess is placed in the sanctum sanctorum. It is bracketed by four stone pillar-like structures that roof the statue. There is also a holy spring flowing from the western end of the temple. Dedicated to the goddess Kheer Bhavani, this holy spring is believed to change colours, with a black or red flow of water being a bad sign.