Zyeth Atham (Kheer Bhawani) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Kashmiri Pandit Families: Devotees of Goddess Ragnya Devi, known as Kheer Bhawani, observe this day with fasting and prayer for the well-being of the family and the community.
• Devotees Visiting the Temple: Pilgrims travel to the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla, Kashmir, for darshan, seeking the Mother's protection and peace.
• Those Seeking Blessings for Home and Family: Devotees who cannot travel worship the Mother at home, praying for health, harmony, and prosperity (Sukh-Shanti).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: After bathing early in the morning, devotees fast and begin the day with prayer.
• Puja Muhurat: The main puja and offering of Kheer to the Goddess take place in the morning and forenoon, after sunrise. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening Aarti: Many families light a lamp and offer prayers again at dusk.

About the Festival

Zyeth Atham, also known as Kheer Bhawani, is a deeply revered Kashmiri Pandit festival in which devotees worship Goddess Ragnya Devi, and the great fair (Mela) is held at her spring temple at Tulmulla. It takes place on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Mata Ragnya Devi)

Once upon a time, Ravana, the king of Lanka, worshipped Goddess Ragnya Devi with great devotion and received her blessings. She stayed with him for many years and protected his kingdom.

As Ravana's pride and wrongdoing grew, the Goddess was saddened and wished to leave. Later, when Lord Rama's war on Lanka drew near, the Goddess told Hanuman that she wished to go to a pure land. At her bidding, Hanuman carried her to Kashmir, where she settled in a sacred spring at Tulmulla.

The Goddess told her devotees: "Come to my spring with a pure heart and offer me Kheer (rice pudding). The water will show you the sign of the times to come. If it turns clear and white, peace will remain, but if it turns dark, hard days may follow."

Devotees have followed this tradition with deep faith for centuries, fasting and offering Kheer at the spring. Since that day, Zyeth Atham has been observed each year, and devotees believe the Mother protects all who come to her with sincere devotion.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Spring Water: Picture of Mata Ragnya Devi (Kheer Bhawani), or a clean vessel of water to represent the spring
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense sticks
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Kheer made from milk, rice, and sugar, and fruits
• Flowers & Offerings: Fresh flowers, preferably white and red, and milk for offering
• Devotional Accessories: Sacred thread (kalava), and a small vessel of clean water

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Ragnya Devi, today I observe this day with pure devotion. Bless my family with peace, health, and your protection."
3. Observe the day with a fast, taking only fruits and milk or simple sattvic food until the puja is done (practice varies by family).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Morning)

1. Clean the puja area and place a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
2. Place the picture of Mata Ragnya Devi on it, and keep a small vessel of water in front of it to represent the sacred spring.
3. Place the Diya, flowers, and Kheer near the picture.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the Goddess.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Chandan, and Akshat to the picture and the vessel of water.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava (red thread) around the vessel.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the Kheer, milk, and fruits before the Mother as the main offering.

Step 4: Prayers and the Story

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the story of Mata Ragnya Devi, and her hymns (stuti) as followed in your family.
3. After completing the prayers, sprinkle the held grains and petals near the Mother's feet.

Step 5: Aarti and Offering of Kheer

1. Perform the Aarti of Mata Ragnya Devi using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Offer the Kheer and milk with folded hands. At the Tulmulla spring, devotees offer the Kheer and milk into the water.
3. Pray for the peace of your family and of all people.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Kheer prasad among your family members and neighbours.
3. Break your fast by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.