It is indeed that time of the year when Kashmiri Pandits greet each other in the morning with 'Zyeth Atham' Mubarak! Also known as Jyeshtha Ashtami, this auspicious day is the eighth day of the bright half of Jyeshtha (May–June) month.

Every year, the date varies depending upon the Hindu calendar. Devotees flock the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple or Tulmula Mandir in Kashmir in huge numbers. The temple premises turn home to thousands of Kashmiri Pandits and other devotees who travel all the way to pay obeisance to Goddess Ragnya Bhawani residing in the temple. 

On this auspicious day, a grand feast and fest is held every year at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Kashmir, also known as Tulmula. It is celebrated with full gusto and vigour, as it marks the pradurbhava of the Goddess Ragnya (Kheer Bhavani or Ragnya Bhavani Mata).

Sometimes the gathering crosses a lakh at the temple. The grand affair, also known as Kheer Bhavani Mela has many devotees visiting the temple and taking blessings of the presiding goddess. Inside the huge temple premises, there are small temples/idols of other gods such as Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Goddess Parvati Mata as well.

However, this year due to the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak, social distancing is the norm of the day and so temples too have been affected. People are advised to pray from their homes instead and seek the blessings for a better tomorrow.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah wished the Jyeshtha Ashtami greetings to Kashmiri Pandits on Twitter. 

Jyestha Ashthami greetings to Kashmiri pandits everywhere. It’s a pity that COVID stopped the traditional gathering at Kheer Bhavani in Ganderbal. Hopefully next year the celebrations can resume. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 30, 2020

Inside Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Kashmir:

There are separate shran or snan kunds for ladies and gents, wherein people take a bath or sprinkle the water over their face, hands and feet before paying homage to the residing Ragnya Bhawani Mata. It is considered to be auspicious, and many believe that by doing so the goddess takes away all their worries.

After that, one walks directly towards the inner temple of the goddess which is beautifully situated on an elevated temple platform with spring water across the four boundaries. The main aarti is conducted with devotees lighting diyas, burning dhoop or incense sticks and offering their token of love to the goddess and Lord Shiva in the form of milk, loaf-sugar and flowers, which they offer into the spring.

Rituals on Jyestha Ashtami:

Ritually no specific procedure is prescribed for the Puja at Kheer Bhavani. The Bhringish Samhita simply says that the Devi, whose mantra is of fifteen syllables, accepts offerings of milk, sugar candy and ghee only - 'sa kshira-kharuladi bhojanam'.

One takes the havan prasad which usually consists of Dal, Chawal, Dum Aloo and Kheer.

Interestingly, another festival is held at the shrine on Asharha Ashtami with equal devotional fervour. It is believed that the sacred spring of the shrine miraculously changes its colour having been discovered on the Saptami of that month. 

Also, Kashmiri Pandits refrain from using Tamasic food on this day. Using onions or garlic in food preparations is a big no-no these days and only staple food of dal, chawal, dum aloo and kheer is preferred on this auspicious day. 

Here's wishing all our readers 'Zyeth Atham Mubarak'!