Kheer Bhawani Temple, Jammu And Kashmir
The Kheer Bhawani Temple in Srinagar is one of the important places of worship in Kashmir. The Kheer Bhawani Temple is associated with Ragnya Devi and is located in Tulamula in Srinagar. An important Hindu shrine, it is visited by several Hindu pilgrims on Jesht Ashtami when the annual festival is held. Established by Maharaja Pratap Singh in the year 1912, Kheer Bhawani Temple is one of the historical monuments of Srinagar. The age-old temple through all these years has suffered the vagaries of time. It was also renovated during the reign of Hari Singh.
Located amidst the beautiful Chinar trees and rippling rivers, lies the Kheer Bhawani Temple is the abode of Goddess Ragnya Devi. The idol is kept in a white marble temple. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama worshipped Ragnya Devi during his exile and after the exile was over he shifted her abode to Shadipora from where it was shifted here according to the wish of Ragnya Devi. There is a beautiful spring located near the temple.
History
Goddess Ragnya Devi – an incarnation of Goddess Durga – is the presiding deity of this temple. The temple attributes its unique name to the famous Indian dessert kheer, which is the main offering to the goddess. Maharaja Pratap Singh built this temple in 1912, which was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh.