Kashmiri Pandits In Jammu & Kashmir Celebrate Kheer Bhawani Festival — WATCH

Mata Kheer Bhawani festival is celebrated mostly by Kashmir Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir. Around 80,000 are expected to visit the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple.

The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Kashmiri Pandits. ( Image Source :ANI )

Kheer Bhawani Mela 2024: Devotees thronged the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tullamulla to offer prayers during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela in Jammu and Kashmir's Gandarbal district on Friday.

The worship of Mata Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Kashmiri Pandits. The Kheer Bhawani temple shrine is dedicated to Maharagnya Bhagwati, it was constructed over a spring which is believed to be scared. The temple is associated with Goddess Ragyna Devi who is also worshipped as Raginya or Kheer Bhawani and is an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

#WATCH | Ganderbal, J&K: Devotees offer prayers at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tullamulla during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela. pic.twitter.com/5PmFtC152t

— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024

The Kheer Bhawani temple is also believed to be an icon of the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood of Kashmir. Local Muslims living around the temple complex serve milk in earthen pots to the Kashmiri Pandit devotees on their arrival in Tullamulla town, reports IANS.

Director General of Police, J&K, Shri R.R. Swain extended greetings to the people, particularly "the Kashmiri Hindu community, Police Pariwar, Security Forces, and families of martyrs".

In his message, the DGP said “as we come together to celebrate this sacred occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to brotherhood, communal harmony and unity. Such occasions strengthen the bonding between communities”. 

Police Media Centre PHQ, J&K

DGP J&K extends greetings on the eve of Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela

Srinagar, June 13: On the auspicious occasion of Mata Kheer Bawani Mela, the Director General of Police, J&K, Shri R.R. Swain, has extended heartfelt greetings to the people,… pic.twitter.com/RcYcrRlN8w

— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) June 13, 2024

According to IANS, following the terrorist attack on the bus of pilgrims in Reasi, security was tightened. Arrangements have been made to transport the devotees from Jammu to the temple in Tullamulla town of Ganderbal. The devotees would be brought to Tullamulla in an escorted convoy and after the festival is over, the same procedure will be followed.  Security forces were deployed three days ahead of the festival around the temple complex.

It is estimated that 80,000 migrant Kashmiri Pandits from various parts of India and abroad will likely visit the five renowned temples in the Valley during the annual fair.