Khanabaran : Abode of Mata Tripur Sundari | Kulgam Kashmir
Synopsis :
Devsar Qasba in District Kulgam of Jammu and Kashmir 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.
History :
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.
Location & its untold story :
Devsar, nestled in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, is a quiet town that hides a surprisingly deep‑rooted spiritual heritage. While many know it for its lush valleys and apple orchards, the *Devsar temple complex*—often called the Mata Tripur Sundari Khanabarani shrine—holds a story that stretches back to ancient Buddhist and Hindu periods. Archaeological digs have uncovered bronze Buddhas and Hindu icons dating to the 9th‑10th century, suggesting that Devsar once served as a regional center for bronze casting and temple building under King Shankar Varman . ¹ Over centuries, the site morphed from a Buddhist learning hub into a Hindu pilgrimage spot, with legends of a “Narisema” temple and a shrine to Goddess Tripur Sundari that still attracts devotees today .
The “untold” part of Devsar’s narrative lies in its role as a crossroads of faiths. Sufi saints such as Hazrat Khan Sb and Hazrat Ameer Kabeer later established shrines here, creating a syncretic atmosphere where Hindu rituals and Muslim prayers coexist peacefully. Local folklore recounts that a tyrant invader named Zawalchu was defeated in the nearby hills, a tale that locals still whisper during village gatherings, adding a layer of heroic myth to the temple’s history .
Celebrations :
The main festival at Devsar temple is *Navratri*, especially the *Maha Navratri* days when devotees gather for night‑long prayers, bhajans, and a ceremonial “aarti” to Goddess Tripur Sundari. During *Shivratri*, locals also hold a small but vibrant puja, reflecting the region’s broader Kashmiri Hindu traditions.
How to reach :
Devotees can reach here by below listed modes of transportation :
By road:
Devsar sits on NH‑444, about 70 km from Srinagar and 15 km from Kulgam town. Regular JKSRTC buses and shared taxis ply from Srinagar (approx. 2 hr) and from Anantnag (1.5 hr).
By rail:
The nearest railway station is *Qazigund* (around 30 km away). From there, you can catch a bus or hire a cab to Devsar.
By air:
The closest airport is Srinagar International Airport (SXR), roughly 80 km north. Pre‑paid taxis and private cabs are readily available at the airport.
Local transport :
Once in Devsar, auto‑rickshaws and shared jeeps can take you to the temple and surrounding villages.
Best nearby tourist places :
There are many tourist places located nearby which can be visited and expired like Aharbal Waterfall dubbed the “Niagara of Kashmir,” this 25‑metre cascade on the Veshaw River is just 20 km from Devsar. It’s perfect for photography, picnics, and short treks to nearby fishing spots , Kounsarnag Lake a high‑altitude alpine lake (about 4,000 ft) reachable via a 3‑day trek from Aharbal. Its crystal‑clear waters and panoramic Pir Panjal backdrop make it a trekker’s dream , Chiranbal Meadow, a lush, untouched meadow near Manzgam, about 15 km away. Ideal for camping, bird‑watching, and leisurely walks amid wildflowers, Vasak Nag Kund, a cold‑water spring at Kund village, famous for its seasonal flow tied to a local Sufi legend. It’s a peaceful spot for a quick stop and a dip and Panchanpathri Valle which is located near Chimmer, this “pathri” (valley) offers open grasslands, pine forests, and easy day‑hikes. The best time to visit these places is from March to October for pleasant weather; winter (Nov–Feb) can be snowy and road‑closures are possible.
Conclusion :
Khanabaran, located in the Devsar area of Kulgam, Kashmir, is a profoundly sacred shrine dedicated to Mata Tripur Sundari, holding immense spiritual significance mentioned in ancient texts like the Neelmat Purana and the sacred place is surrounded by majestic Deodar forests and orchards & this ancient temple is revered by both Hindus and local residents, who protect it with great respect.
The site represents the rich spiritual heritage of Kashmir, offering a serene, mystical ambiance believed to be the abode of the goddess. Some suggestive measures required for its over development are like infrastructure Enhancement, improve road connectivity from Kulgam town to the shrine and development of the shrine as spiritual eco tourism spot while protecting the surrounding Deodar trees. It is also suggested to install informative plaques detailing the history of Mata Tripur Sundari and the shrine's connection to the Mahabharata era and there is also urgent need to
Improve pilgrim accommodation as it is limited & with proper management, Khanabaran can become a major spiritual tourism hub in South Kashmir in times to come provided Governent takes some bold initiative for improvement of its infrastructure to respect the sanctity of the shrine and sentiments of Kashmiri Pandits.
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