The ancient Himalayan pilgrimages, crafted by Hindu sages over centuries, encapsulate the essence of wanderlust, spirituality, and adventure. Among the revered deities, Maa Chandi, the living goddess, holds a significant place.
Backed by Vedic myths, spiritual beliefs, and astronomical references, her existence transcends time. Notably, the village of Machail in Paddar has recently gained prominence as a place of immense religious significance and sanctity due to the presence of the revered Shri Chandi Mata temple.
Each year, on the auspicious occasion of the first Bhadon or Bhadoon Sankranti (15th or 16th August), devotees from all over Paddar gather outside the Chandi Mata temple in Machail to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the deity.
The grand procession of the holy mace, known as Holi Chhari, belonging to Goddess Chandi Mata, commences from the village of Chinote Bhaderwah, the ancestral home of Thakur Kulbir Singh
Under his esteemed guidance, the procession embarks on a journey to Machail, accompanied by devotees singing devotional songs, beating drums, playing flutes, and chanting mantras. In recent times, the yatra (pilgrimage) has also started from Jammu. This yatra has played a pivotal role in showcasing the unique aspects of Paddar and fostering the spirit of adventure among people. The procession commences from Bhaderwah, reaches Pul Doda by mid-day, and continues towards Kishtwar, passing through Thathri, Drabshalla, Kandni, and Hasti, finally reaching Kishtwar around 4 pm. On the next day, the yatra proceeds from Kishtwar towards Atholi Paddar.The Machail Yatra pilgrimage to the high-altitude Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi, one of the manifestations of Goddess Durga, is gaining popularity day by day and is now considered the second-largest pilgrimage in the Jammu Region, attracting over 50,000 pilgrims at a time to Chandi Dham Machail and in the year 2018 Machail Mata Yatra crossed 1.50 Lac of devotees who paid obeisance at the shrine.Chandi Mata, over the years, has primarily manifested in the Himalayan region. In Jammu itself, she originated at the Mahalaxmi Mandir at Pacca Danga and subsequently at Bhadarwah, where the Chhari (Holy Mace) procession commences every year in August. Machail Mata, located approximately 306 kilometers away from Jammu (Jammu-Batote: 120 km, Batote-Kishtwar: 121 km, Kishtwar-Atholi-Gulbgarh: 65 km) by road, followed by a 30 km trek, poses a challenging terrain. However, with the blessings of Mata Chandi, pilgrims find joy in the adventurous journey, accompanied by the enchanting echoes of “Jai Mata Di” and “Jai Chandi Mata” from fellow pilgrims. The entire trail is adorned with pilgrims of various backgrounds, dressed in vibrant attires.Along the route from Atholi Gulabgarh to Layondee, Kundailpul, Chishoti, Hamoori, and finally the sacred temple of Machail Mata, the mesmerizing landscape captivates with its lush greenery, vibrant forests of pine (Deodar, Kail, Fir, Spruce), oaks, shrubs, and medicinal herbs.The Holy Chhari of Shri Machail Mata starts from Jammu on 18th August in morning and reaches same day on 18th of August in evening in Kishtwar.As per past practice, On 25th of every July, Yatra is officially started by District Administration Kishtwar by organising Hawan ( first Pooja) at Machail Mata Bhawan and yatra culminates on 05th of September. The District Administration Kishtwar is delighted to announce a series of initiatives and infrastructure developments aimed at ensuring a hassle-free and comfortable pilgrimage experience for devotees undertaking the Machail Mata Yatra. These measures have been implemented to enhance the safety, convenience, and overall satisfaction of the pilgrims during their sacred journey.
Courtesy: https://shrimachailmatayatra.com
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