P. K. Raina
In the state of Jammu and Kashmir it is Qasba Devsar in Kulgam district which is proud of having one of the most sacred places popularly known as KHANABARAN.It is a shrine of Mata Tripur Sundari. The word Khanabaran is composition of two Kashmiri words namely Khan and Baran, where Khan means a pass and Baran means a gate. This place is said to be the main gate of that sacred place which is known as Sunder-i-naar and is located nearby between two lofty snow clad peaks of Peerpanjal range of the Himalayas. Nobody dares to go into the interiors of this Naar and those who gather strength to go near to it return in a state of great confusion after hearing soothing rhythmic musical sounds with nobody visible there. And those who ignorantly or intentionally or by chance have walked deep inside this Naar have either lost their eyesight or mental power or have never returned back.
It is said of Khanabaran that riding on a mighty lion Mata Tripur Sundari uses this pass to have a Braman(tour) of Kashap Mar, the Valley Kashmir and rests a while here. There is not an example only one, but many to refer, where the devotees have said that they have seen the footprints of mighty lion here which they believe had the Darshan of Mata Tripur Sundari here.
Not only the Kashmiri Pandits but the non-Hindu devotees have also a great faith in it. Situated amidst the Muslim populated area, this sacred shrine has never been harmed or looked down upon, instead taken great care of with great respect. It is said by the devotees that who soever comes to this place never goes empty handed provided he/she has faith, respect and reverence. It is worthwhile here to make a mention that no body dares even to cut a branch of any Deodar tree or any other bush around it. It is said that if anybody has done it intentionally he has suffered a great loss of either life or property. The people of the area believe that the prosperity of the area all-around is the “Nazar-i-Karam” of this sacred place.
So far as the historical record is concerned one can find the mention of this sacred shrine in Neelmat Purana, Rajtarangni and other ancient religious scriptures. There is evidence that this place has remained a great place of worship even during Mahabharata times. One can see the archeological remains of Mahabharata times around this sacred place. There is also a spring in the vicinity of Khanabaran locally known as Said Nag which the devotees believe have its links somehow with Ramrajaya.Here one can see a small spring which gives out bubbles when we say “Sitayee Ram Ji hai oey” (Mata Sita Ram Ji has come).This is no less than a miracle for the devotees here.
Since ancient times, the devotees have been coming here to perform pooja and get the blessings of Mata Tripur Sundari Khanabaran. Like Tulamulla, Manzgam Logripora and Tikker, here also a grand religious function is held every year on Zesht Shukla Pakhsha Ashtami and Ashad Shukla Pakhsha Ashtami in which people in thousands take part. The people throng in from all walks of life belonging to all regions and religions. The ashes of the dhoop, agarbati and the soil of this place are considered very sacred by the devotees. It is collected with great respect and reverence to cure skin diseases and other ailments. Mata Tripur Sundari is believed to be very kind for her devotees and nobody goes disappointed from here.
It is worthwhile to make a mention that the Army Regiment based at Devsar makes endless efforts for this yatra to become a grand success. The army officers and jawans remain not only alert for security reasons but also extend help to pilgrims by providing them sleeping bags, blankets fruits and drinking water etc. They along with the pilgrims pray for peace, prosperity and communal harmony. The District Administration makes all kinds of arrangements and the local population, especially, participate in the functions with great enthusiasm. Towards the end of this great religious function comprising of Yagna, religious discourses, purvachans & Bhajan Kirtan, food is distributed to the devotees present, no matter to which religion they belong. The devotees eagerly and anxiously wait to have food from this Bhandara.
Khanabaran Asthapan of Mata Tripur Sundari is in true sense of the word a great centre in valley Kashmir where love, brotherhood, tolerance and communal harmony is preached and practiced.
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