Mela Kheer Bhawani

Kashmir is the highest seat of learning at all levels of human consciousness. It has contributed to the evolution and development of humanity through its place of consciousness and aesthetics. Thinkers and philosophers of the highest order developed their treatises here with a focus on progressive society. The ancient remains of the monuments and temples like Martand reveal the grandeur and majesty of Kashmir. They speak about the advancement of its society and people when the rest of the world was learning the ropes of development. Kashmir has the unique distinction of offering the best tradition of non-dual Shaiva Darshan that does not discriminate on the basis of sectarian formation and caste hierarchies but gives a blue way of life based on integrality meant to discover the hidden secrets of the Divine consciousness. Terming the supreme power as Prakash, most commonly known as Shiva. Not only that this way of life also gives a means to internalise His eternity through Vimarshni Shakti. And this Vimarshni Shakti forms the core of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy and Trika Shaiv Parampara enabling the practitioners to delve deep into the science of cosmic consciousness. There are numerous springs and temples besides many natural formations in Kashmir from the times immemorial that have given the devotees enormous vision to achieve both material and spiritual growth. There are thirty six elements that are cardinal to the Shaiva system and thus define the deity and its power at each level besides the domain being ruled by that deity. But the Mother Goddess who is the Vimarsh enjoys the supreme place in this system and is the enabler of boons and success to be achieved in this world and beyond. Mata Raginya Devi or popularly known as Kheer Bhawani has caught the imagination and consciousness of people not only in Kashmir but in the rest of India. The Holy Spring located in Tul Mula, Ganderbal enjoys an exalted place among the devotees. As per the scriptures the Mother Goddess selected the Sati Desa as Kashmir is known in scriptures, the place of her abode after leaving the Lanka of Ravana where She was the Presiding Deity of the demon king. Hanuman accompanied Her to Kashmir and She is since then been blessing the people of Kashmir. Kashmiris of all hues know it well that the colour of the spring depicts the socio-political situation in Kashmir. It acts as the indicator of the times to come. When in 1989-1990 Kashmir was witnessing the worst ethno-religious conflict the learned people gauged the inauspicious events to unfold from the dark colour of the Holy Spring that is the indication of the Mata Raginya’s live presence in Kashmir. An annual congregation is held every year at Tula Mula on Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha Ashtami (Jyeshtha Ashtami) to seek blessings and acquire boons from the Mother of the Universe. This year too Kashmiri Pandits have arrived from all over India to bow at the lotus feet of the Mother. The festivities are at its peak. Even after the internal displacement of the Kashmiri Pandits, the community makes it a point to assemble every year to pray for their return and normalcy in Kashmir. Not only that Kashmiri Muslims also hold the Kheer Bhawani in high esteem and wait for the Jyeshtha Ashtami to pray for the peace and return of normalcy in Kashmir. The faith of Kashmiris of all hues in the powers of Mata is unshakable. Let us all pray to the Divine Mother to bring peace and harmony in Kashmir and forgive us for the sins which we may have committed in ignorance. After all it is the Mother who forgives her children and shows them the path of righteousness. May the Mela Kheer Bhawani this year bring joy and harmony to Kashmir.