Kheer Bhawani Mela gets cancelled amidst COVID-19 pandemic 

Kheer Bhawani Mela gets cancelled amidst COVID-19 pandemic 

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-I – Culture

In News:

• The Annual Kheer Bhawani Mela was cancelled recently because of COVID-19 pandemic in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Important value additions 

Kheer Bhawani Mela

• It is an Annual Festival celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits. 
• The devotees of the Goddess Mata Kheer Bhawani fast and gather here on the day of “Zeshta Ashtami,” the eighth day of the full moon in the month of May/June. 
• According to belief, the Goddess changes the colour of the spring’s waters during this month. 
• Ragyna Devi Temple in Tulmulla Ganderbal village, near Srinagar (J&K) is popularly known as “Mata Kheer Bhawani temple”. 
• The temple is dedicated to the Goddess kheer Bhawani. 
• The term kheer refers to rice pudding that is offered in the spring located in the temple to Please the Goddess.
• This is the most important temple for Kashmiri Pandits.

Image source: Click here