Excelsior Correspondent
-Excelsior/Rakesh
JAMMU, June 12: The annual holy Machail Yatra in Paddar area of district Kishtwar is going to commence from July 25 as the holy gate of Mata Machail Wali Temple shall be thrown open the same day for ‘Darsan’ of the pilgrims.
The decision in this regard was taken by the management committee during its meeting held at Sarkoot Temple, Kishtwar on May 27 under the chairmanship of Co-founder, Pt Krishan Lal.
This was disclosed by president and general secretary of management committee, Machail Yatra Management Committee during a press conference held here at Press Club.
Elaborating the details of developmental steps initiated by the management committee for the convenience of the pilgrims during financial year 2013-14 to till date, general secretary, Ram Singh Chouhan said that construction of Yatri Bhawan at base camp, Gulab Garh, is in progress while Yatri Gram has been raised at Gulab Garh to give shed and tenting accommodation to the pilgrims with toilet and bathroom facilities.
“The committee is also managing construction of waiting rooms accommodation facilities at the airport Gulab Garh for the pilgrims travelling by air. The committee had also constructed pilgrims shed at Kundhail and Chishoti, bathing ghat and resting place for pilgrims at Marhel beyond Hamoori village”, he said.
Revealing that helicopter services shall be operated with effect from July 25, he appealed Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to ensure that helicopter rates should not exceed Rs 4000 per head from Gulab Garh to Machail and back.
It was also stressed upon the administration to ensure fool proof security to the pilgrims during the yatra. Chouhan also urged the Government to form Chandi Mata Machail Shrine Board on the analogy of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to ensure smooth yatra and adequate facilities to the pilgrims, whose number is increasing every year.
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