Ganderbal, June 3: On the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, on Tuesday.
The Lieutenant Governor paid obeisance at the temple and offered prayers for peace, prosperity, happiness, and the well-being of all citizens.
During his visit, LG Sinha interacted with devotees and extended his warm greetings, acknowledging the spiritual significance of the day for the Kashmiri Pandit community and others, who gathered at the temple.
Thousands of devotees thronged the shrine to mark the annual celebration, which holds deep cultural and religious importance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jyeshtha Ashtami is a significant Hindu observance that falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Jyeshtha, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This typically occurs in May or June in the Gregorian calendar.
Significance:
- Religious importance: Jyeshtha Ashtami is especially revered in parts of North India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, by Kashmiri Pandits, who observe it with great devotion.
- It is dedicated to Goddess Durga, often worshipped as Goddess Mahishasuramardini or Goddess Sharika (an aspect of Shakti).
- In Kashmir, it is associated with the worship of Kheer Bhawani, an incarnation of the goddess Ragnya Devi, at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla.
Rituals:
- Devotees observe fasts and perform pujas (worship) to honor the goddess.
- Special offerings such as kheer (sweet rice pudding) are made.
- Some people visit sacred springs and temples dedicated to the goddess.
- In Kashmir, many families perform a ritual known as Zyeth Ashtami at their homes or in temples.
Cultural Context:
- For Kashmiri Hindus, this is one of the most important spiritual days of the year, often involving pilgrimages, especially to Kheer Bhawani shrine, where devotees witness mystical color changes in the spring water believed to reflect the state of the region.
