Machail Mata Yatra is a famous pilgrimage/Yatra which attracts a large number of devotees and common people .People have much faith on Machail Mata and they trek long distance to perform the Yatra and have a glimpse of the revered Goddess. This year the Machil Mata Yatra has commenced on 25th July and will continue 43 days & end on 5th September and during this period a large number of devotees will take part in Yatra.

The Machail Yatra pilgrimage to high altitude Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi ,one of the manifestations of Goddess Durga is continuously becoming popular day by day and is assuming the status of second biggest pilgrimage in Jammu region, where more than 50 thousand pilgrims pored at Chandi Dham Machail . Machail Chandi Mata Temple ,popularly known as Machail Mata ,is a shrine of the Hindu goddess Durga in the village Machail of sub –division Paddar in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir UT . Machail Mata Pilgrimage emerges as a major spiritual and adventurous journey in Machail Paddar .
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 .The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organized travel system ,evolved over time by Hindu sages and embodying the spirit of wander ,adventure and spirituality .One of the holy trinity ,Maa Chandi is a living goddess .Vedic myths ,ritual and even astronomy testify to her existence from the dawn of the time .
Machail Mata is a Goddess Durga shrine popularly known as Machail Mata being located in the village Machail , from where it derives its name. It may be noted that Goddess Durga is also known by name Kali or Chandi . Machail Mata Sthan as the shrine is popularly known ,has a landscape of unblemished beauty with hills ,glaciers and tributaries of Chenab River [Chandrabhaga}.Thousands of people visit the shrine every year mainly from Jammu region. The pilgrimage happens in late July and continues in August also annually . The shrine was visited in 1981 by Thakur Kulveer Singh of Bhaderwah .It was Thakur Kulveer Singh who started the Chandi Yatra that happens every year & thousands of people visit the shrine every year during Chandi Yatra ,which starts from Chinote in Bhaderwah to Machial in Paddar.
There are a lot of supernatural happenings that the pilgrims experience and report .To reach the shrine ,a lot of travel agents arrange buses from Jammu ,Udhampur ,Ramnagar ,Bhaderwah and some other places .One can also hire a cab as well. It takes approximately 10 hours by road from Jammu to Gulabgrah ,as the distance is 290 Kms. The Gulabgrah is the base camp for the yatra .From Gulabgrah ,foot journey starts ,that is 32 kms. Usually people take two days to reach the shrine by foot .On the way ,there are many villages ,where one can stay at night. The chaddi takes three days to reach Machail .Many people organize roadside langers –free food points on the way to Gulabgrah .Government of Jammu and Kashmir also arrange basic amenities for the pilgrims .The shrine is inaccessible during winter months of December ,January and February .On the day of first Bhadon or Bhadoon Sankranti{ 15th or 16th August} every year the doors of temples in Paddar are thrown open ,a big mela is held outside Chandi Mata temple at Machial where people from all over Paddar and other places assemble and offer prayers to the deity and invoke her blessings .The Yatra will commence on 25th of July and will come to end on 5th September .Some people reach the shrine through helicopter from Jammu and Gulabgrah.
The helipad is only 100 meters from the shrine .But those travelling through helicopter miss many scenic beauties of the nature. .Helicopter from Gulabgrah takes at least 7-8 min to reach the Shrine .One of the holy trinity ,Maa Chandi is a living goddess .Vedic myths ,ritual and even astronomy testify to her existence from the dawn of time .The Yatra has played greatest role in highlighting the peculiarities of Padder and influencing among people the spirit of adventure besides being a spiritual place .
This procession starts from Bhaderwah ,then reaches Pul Doda on mid-day ,after that yatra moves towards Kishtwar crossing Thatari ,Drabshalla ,Kandni ,Hasti then reaches Kishtiwar near 40 kms. On the next day, Yatra moves from Kishtwar near about 4pm.On next day ,Yatra moves from Kishtwar towards Atholi Paddar .Machail Yatra attracts many visitors from far and wide .An increasing number of people visit the shrine to get spiritual peace. This Yatra gives a boost to the local economy which is hard –pressed at present. Therefore there is need to encourage this spiritual cum adventure sojourn so that the local economy will be benefitted. So much stress needs to be given to this Yatra so that the economy of this area gets a boost .
The Chandi Mata basically has over the years manifested elsewhere mostly confined to Himalayan region .In Jammu itself she has her origin in the Mahalaxmi Mandir at Pacca Danga and thence at Bhadarwah where from her Chhari {Holy mace} starts in the month of August every year. Situated around 306 Kms away from Jammu and 30 kms from Gulabgrah .Though the terrain is too tough to trek but with the grace of Almighty Mata Chandi ,one feels hillbilly joyous in association with enchanting pilgrims echoing Jai Mata Di Jai Chandi Mata.
The entire track is dotted all along with Yatris of all hues with colorful attire .The entire area is land locked surrounded by lush green ,vibrant and salubrious greenery of pine{Deodar,kail,fir,Spruce}, Oaks,shrubs and herbs .The river Chandra and Bhaga confluences at Atholi and while traversing this long stretch of 30 kms ,you follow proud Bhaga sometimes accompanying you and sometimes going against your track with roaring echoes and foaming firry watery flames so gorgeously against perpendicular rocks .In short the Machail Mata Yatra is a combination of spirituality ,religiosity ,adventurism and scenic beauty .Thus besides the pilgrims, tourists in a large number visit this shrine to enjoy the beauty of this shrine and place .Let the government develop this shrine and Yatra on the tourist map of the country so that this shrine of Chandi Mata is popularized throughout the country and more and more pilgrims and tourists visit this shrine and experience spiritual solace and enchanting beauty .May Machail Mata bless us all and shower her blessings so that Jammu and Kashmir once again will become a paradise on earth .Amin.

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