Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela begins in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 8: Mata Kheer Bhawani mela at the famous Ragnya Devi temple near Srinagar has begun today (Jun 8) onwards and is being considered as a hiatus of two years owing to the Covid 19 break. The mela is an annual religious event where the Kashmiri Pandit community from distant places gathers together. The mela this year has begun, despite of the targeted killings of the community.

 

 

 

 

 

The Kheer Bhawani mela is one of the biggest religious gatherings of the displaced community at the temple situated at a distance of 25 km, north east of Srinagar. According to the Hindu customs, the goddess has many names including Ragyna or Rajna, along with variations in honorifics, such as devi, mata and bhagvati. The term Kheer refers to the milk and rice pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess.

 

 

 

 

 

It is often literally translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The Kashmiri Pandits worship Mata Kheer Bhawani as their protective patron deity; Kuladevi. Considering the dire conditions in valley, the community is hoping that the goddess protect all her children in Kashmir and the rest of India.