Devotees throng Kheer Bhawani Temple on first day of Navratra

Ganderbal, Mar 30: Marking the auspicious beginning of Navratra, hundreds of devotees flocked to the revered Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal on Sunday. The temple, dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, witnessed a surge of devotees, including Kashmiri Pan-dits and other worshippers, who arrived to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Chanting hymns and offering milk, flowers, and diyas at the sacred spring, the devotees im-mersed themselves in devotion on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. Special arrangements were made by the administration to facilitate smooth conduct of the celebrations, including security deployments and basic amenities like drinking water, medical aid, and transport.
Many devotees expressed their emotions about being able to visit the temple on this signifi-cant occasion. “It is a divine experience to be here on the first day of Navratri. The atmos-phere is filled with spiritual energy,” said a devotee.
Kheer Bhawani temple holds immense religious significance, particularly for Kashmiri Pan-dits, who consider the festival a symbol of devotion and resilience. With the temple decked in vibrant colors and echoes of bhajans filling the air, the first day of Navratri set a deeply spir-itual tone for the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Authorities expect more devotees to visit in the coming days, making it one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Kashmir during Navratri.