Pokhri Bal Devi Temple
Pokhri Bal Devi Temple
Pokhri Bal Devi Mandir in Central Jail Road,Srinagar
This is a temple located on the shores of Nigeen lake, with plenty of history attached to it.
It is an ancient temple, with a natural spring through which water flows into the Nigeen lake.
There are three kunds where pilgrims used to have holy dip in the water. Previously pilgrims arriving in Kashmir used to visit in large numbers, to the Bhavani Ashram as it is known.
It is said that the Indian Army took darshan from this temple before proceeding to the Indo Pak war of 1971.
There are two very old and huge chinar trees inside the temple premises which is guarded by the security forces, since the late 2000s where presently the CRPF has established a camp.
An exciting thing about the temple is that the water in the kund remains warm in winter and cold in summer.
It is believed that the goddess Mata Sharika Devi whose main temple is located upon the hillock of Hari parbat fort, visits the temple every day earlier in the morning for a holy dip in the kund located inside the temple.
The temple has been a place of visit by many saints amd peers of the past. A revered place of worship for the kashmiri pandits, now remains open for tourists from all over the country to visit and take holy darshan during their visit to srinagar, Kashmir.