Kashmir's famous Kshirbhavani fair

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The famous Kshir Bhavani fair of Kashmir is held on May 30 every year, but this year this fair has been canceled keeping in mind the epidemic spreading in the country.
This fair is held every year on the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month in the Ksheer Bhawani temple located in Tulmula village of Ganderbal district of North Kashmir. The people of Kashmiri Pandit community have special faith towards Kshir Bhawani Mata. It is also called Kheer Bhavani temple by some people. It is believed that there is also a pool in the temple, which gives advance information about the disasters.

Even after the shadow of terror in Kashmir, every year thousands of Kashmiri Pandits settled in the country and the world come to attend the fair. For this journey, adequate arrangements are made by the government for the convenience of the passengers and all possible assistance is provided to them. But unfortunately people will not be able to enjoy the fair this year. Due to people's faith for Kshir Bhavani Mata, not only Kashmiri Pandits but people of other states also participate in Kshir Bhavani fair. But do you know who Mata Kshir Bhavani was and how does the pool in the temple change its color? If you do not know, today in this article you will be given complete information about Ksheer Bhavani. We hope that after reading the things mentioned in this article about the miraculous Ksheer Bhavani temple and the fair, there will be a slight decrease in the disappointment of not organizing the fair -

Who is Mother Kshirbhavani?

Located in the Kashmir Valley, 24 km from Srinagar, the Kheer Bhavani Temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Ragnya. Kshirabhavani Mata, was also known as Shama. According to legends, Mata Ragnya first resided in Sri Lanka, but she moved from Sri Lanka to Kashmir during the reign of Ravana. It is said that due to being a Vaishnavi tendency, Mata Raganya got angry with the ways of demons and her wrong deeds. When the pot of Ravana's sin was filled, Lord Shri Ram arrived there and he killed Ravana.

After Ravana's death, Shriram ordered Hanumanji to leave his mother at her desired place. Mata Kshir Bhavani expressed her desire to visit Satisar (Kashmir land). Then, following the command of Goddess Ragnya, Hanumanji brought him to Srinagar with 360 serpents. The main temple of Mata Kshirbhwani is established in Tulmula area of Ganderbal district in Kashmir, which was founded by Maharaja Pratap Singh. The temple also has a pool of water, which is considered to be miraculous.

Thousands of diyas and special kheer are worshiped by mother
The atmosphere in the Ksheer Bhavani temple remains devotional during the Kshira Bhavani fair. Aarti is held in the temple of Mata at two times in the morning and evening, in which thousands of diyas are lit together. Burning so many lamps together remains the center of attraction among the people. With the first rays of the sun, devotees start reaching the temple.

During the puja, various types of bhog are made by adorning the mother. The offerings include dry fruit, kand (made from sugar candy) milk and especially kheer. In the temples, special decoration is done with flowers. Dozens of stalls are erected from the road to the temple premises during the fair. These stalls are set up by the local people there. Bhajan kirtan is also performed by devotees at Ksheer Bhavani temple. Due to not having a fair this year, many of the local people, who used to set up shops around the fair and whose income would increase, would come in trouble.

Predicts the tank of the Kshirabhavani temple
There is also a mysterious water tank in the Mata Kshirbhavani temple, located 24 km from Srinagar. It is said about this tank that whenever a disaster is to come in the world, the color of the water of this tank changes. According to the local people, Mother still lives in this lake. Kashmiri Pandit people say that in the 90s, when the situation in Kashmir worsened, the color of this water tank had turned completely black at that time, which symbolized bad times. Every year before the Puja to be held on the Ashtami of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha, the priests there pour milk and kheer in this kund. The water color of the tank changes with this Kheer. People come from far and wide to visit this pool and temple.

Hindu-Muslim brothers are a symbol of brotherhood

The Ksheer Bhawani Fair of Kashmir is also considered a symbol of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. It is said that the local Muslims also take part in this fair, which takes care of the Kashmiri Pandit devotees who come there and also arranges for the worship materials etc. Even these people take full care of their convenience. The materials used in the temple are sold by the local people there. From former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to Mehbooba Mufti, Mata Kshirbhani has come and worshiped. However, due to the bad environment of Kashmir for some time, the administration has made strong security arrangements here.

Buses are also arranged by the state administration. Administrative officials already take stock of better traffic, security and other facilities for the pilgrims. Since the removal of Section 370, the situation in Kashmir had deteriorated a lot and now due to Corona infection, this fair has been canceled, due to which the bar did not get a chance to meet their old friends and neighbors.

PS: This is originally a Hindi article and translated using Google translate. Please ignore any mistake

Special thanks to @ghazi52 and @BHarwana .....