The Kheer Bhawani Mela, a vibrant festival revered by Kashmiri Pandits, is set for June 3, 2025, at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, 20 km east of Srinagar. Held annually on Jyeshtha Ashtami, the festival celebrates Goddess Ragnya Devi, with devotees offering kheer (rice pudding) to a sacred spring whose color changes are believed to predict Kashmir’s future. The mela, drawing thousands despite recent security concerns like the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, symbolizes communal harmony and spiritual devotion, fostering unity among Hindus and Muslims.
In This Article:
Historical and Spiritual Significance
The Kheer Bhawani Temple, nestled in Tulmulla village, is dedicated to Goddess Rajnya Devi, believed to have been brought by Lord Hanuman from Lanka after the Ramayana’s epic battle. The name “Kheer Bhawani” derives from the deity’s favorite offering, kheer, made with rice, milk, sugar, and saffron. The temple’s unique spring, central to the mela, is said to change colors—pink for prosperity, black for calamity—serving as an oracle for devotees. The festival commemorates either the spring’s discovery by a Brahmin or the goddess’s arrival in Kashmir. For Kashmiri Pandits, many displaced since the 1990s, the mela is a spiritual homecoming.
Festivities and Communal Harmony
The mela, running from June 1 to June 3, 2025, attracts over 80,000 devotees, including Pandits from across India and abroad, to five shrines: Tulmulla, Tikker (Kupwara), Logripora (Anantnag), and Manzgam and Devsar (Kulgam). Devotees chant hymns, light earthen lamps, and offer kheer, while local Muslim vendors sell puja items like marigolds, fostering harmony, as noted by Drishti IAS. The festival features local delicacies like puris, halwas, and lotus stem pakoras, creating a festive atmosphere. Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the 2023 mela’s 25,000 attendees, calling it a “sacred” event.
Preparations and Security Measures
The Jammu and Kashmir administration ensures smooth conduct, with Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri reviewing arrangements on May 27, 2025, including sanitation, mobile toilets, and security, per Kashmir Vision. Over 60 buses departed from Jammu’s Nagrota on June 1, 2025, flagged off by Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar, with halts at Ramban. Inspector General V.K. Birdi confirmed stringent security post the Pahalgam attack, ensuring devotee safety. Despite fewer attendees due to recent tensions, pilgrims like Shruti Dhar expressed fearless devotion, per Kashmir Vision.
A Symbol of Resilience
The Kheer Bhawani Mela, with its blend of spirituality and unity, remains a beacon of hope. Despite challenges like terrorism, devotees’ faith, drives their return to reclaim cultural roots. As a testament to Kashmir’s syncretic ethos, the mela continues to inspire, with preparations ensuring a safe, vibrant celebration in 2025.
By – Manoj H
