Kheer Bhawani Temple, Srinagar - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 25 km from Srinagar, Kheer Bhawani Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Tulla Mulla village near Srinagar. Also known as Ragnya Devi Temple, it is one of the must-visit religious places while holidaying in Srinagar.

Kheer Bhawani Temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Maharaja Pratap Singh built this temple in 1912, which was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. The temple was originally named Bhawani Mandir but eventually came to be known as Kheer Bhawani due to the famous Indian dessert Kheer, which is the main offering to the goddess. Goddess Ragnya Devi is prominently worshipped as Kuldevi or the patron deity by the Kashmiri Pandits.

According to Hindu mythology, the image of Kheer Bhawani was formerly set up in Sri Lanka by the demon king Ravana. This happened when Ravana was blessed for his devotion by Maharagnya. Enraged by Ravana's unrighteous ways of life, the goddess exclaimed to Lord Hanuman to transport this image to Tulla Mulla, where it now stays.

The architecture of the temple is simple yet beautifully created using smooth grey stones. 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, which is known to change its color with various hues of red, pink, orange, green, blue, and white. If the color changes to black, it is considered a bad omen that would result in a disaster in the valley.

On the eighth day of the full moon in May, devotees gather at the Kheer Bhawani Temple and observe fasts as it is believed that the goddess changes the color of the spring water. Besides, the temple is also renowned for the annual Jehst Ashtami festival organized on its premises, which attracts a large number of devotees. A religious abode brimming with divinity under the cool shade of Chinar trees, Kheer Bhawani Temple is definitely one of the best religious places to visit in Srinagar.

Timings: 6 AM - 8 PM

Entry: Free