Kheer Bhawani, a sacred gathering of faith and devotion held in Ganderbal

Jun 03, 2025

GANDERBAL: The Kheer Bhawani Mela is an annual religious festival of great significance for the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is held at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulla Mulla village of Ganderbal. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, and is revered by Kashmiri Hindus as one of the holiest sites in the region.

The Kheer Bhawani Mela has been a spiritual cornerstone for the Kashmiri Pandit community for centuries. Pilgrims from across India converge at the sacred site to offer prayers, seek blessings, and participate in rituals that reinforce their cultural and spiritual identity. The Kheer Bhawani Mela is a symbol of resilience, especially for the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. Despite the upheaval and migration due to the conflict in the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s, many families have continued to uphold the tradition of visiting the temple annually.

The mela also reflects communal harmony, as local Muslim residents often assist in the preparations, showcasing the spirit of brotherhood and shared heritage in the valley.