Context
In 2026, a record number of displaced Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, to celebrate the Jyeshtha Ashtami festival. Facilitated by improved security conditions and welcomed by the local community, this historic pilgrimage highlights the enduring communal harmony and cultural revival in the Kashmir Valley.
The Kheer Bhawani Mela: Cultural Significance
- Primary Deity: The festival is dedicated to the highly revered Mata Ragnya Devi, locally known as Kheer Bhawani.
- Occasion: The annual pilgrimage is strictly observed by Kashmiri Pandits on the auspicious day of Jyeshtha Ashtami.
- Scale and Symbolism: It is recognized as one of the largest Hindu religious gatherings in the region, second only to the Amarnath Yatra. Over the decades, the mela has evolved into a prominent symbol of communal brotherhood and fraternity in Kashmir.
Architectural and Geographical Features
- Geographical Location: Situated in the Tulmulla village of the Ganderbal district, northeast of Srinagar.
- The Sacred Spring (Syendh): The temple premises enclose a septa-gonal (seven-sided) spring. This spring is famous for its distinct phenomenon of changing colors—displaying hues of red, pink, orange, green, blue, and white.
- Unique Deity Placement: A lofty chamber built on an island within the spring houses both a revered goddess idol and a Shiva linga. This amalgamation is a unique characteristic of this sacred site.
- Patronage and Construction:
- The original temple was constructed by Dogra ruler Ranbir Singh (1830-1885).
- The current structure and temple pond were established in the 1910s by Maharaja Pratap Singh, with further renovations executed by Maharaja Hari Singh.
Historical and Literary References
The site holds deep antiquity and is documented in several ancient and medieval texts:
- Kalhana’s Rajtarangini: Explicitly mentions the sacred spring of “Tula Mula,” noting its geographical location in a marshy area that was once engulfed by ancient floods.
- Ain-i-Akbari: Authored by Abu’l-Fazal during the Mughal era, it provides geographical details, describing the Tula Mula area as spanning a hundred bighas that would sink into marshlands during summer.
- Bhrigu Samhita: The ancient astrological text also features references to the sanctity of Kheer Bhawani.
With respect to the Kheer Bhawani Mela, consider the following statements:
I. It is an annual pilgrimage dedicated to the worship of Goddess Ragnya Devi, whose principal shrine is situated over a sacred hexagonal spring in the Kashmir Valley.
II. The architectural construction of the current temple edifice surrounding the sacred spring was historically commissioned by the medieval Shah Miri dynasty.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement I is correct: The Kheer Bhawani Mela is a highly revered annual festival dedicated to the Vaishnavite deity Goddess Ragnya Devi. The principal temple at Tulmulla is uniquely constructed over a sacred hexagonal natural spring, which is central to the ritualistic offerings of milk and rice pudding (kheer).
Statement II is incorrect: The present architectural edifice of the Kheer Bhawani temple was not commissioned by the Shah Miri dynasty. It was historically constructed under the patronage of the Dogra monarch Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912, and the surrounding infrastructure was later developed by Maharaja Hari Singh