Sunday, July 04, 2010

Hudh Mata shrine in Kishtwar

The holy shrine of Shri Hudh Mata located in the lap of famous Brahma Peak, said to be abode of Lord Brahma, at a height of about 13000 ft from the sea level in village Nanth Nalah of Illaqa Dachhan, on the northern side of District HQ Kishtwar and Western side of high altitudinal Zanskar, Ladakh is also an abode of Shiv Parivar i.e. Lord Shiva, Mata Parvati and Lord Ganesha. ( Nara Nag Temples )

Amid the picturesque snow peaked mountains, water falls, pastures, lush green flora and fauna of the surroundings, there is a small cave where three naturally formed Shivlingams exist like that of Shiv Khori Shrine in Reasi district. Milky-lime water is dripping on them from the sealing of the cave through naturally formed nipples of udders. There used to be a very small pond, kund inside the cave and with the help of torch light images of different Devi - Devtas could be seen. Mostly the images of Shiv Parivar were seen, some times jointly and some time separately. The amazing thing was that if one devotee saw the image of Lord Shiva, other could not see the same. He could see the image of Mata Parvati or Lord Ganesh or any other Devi, Devta. Unfortunately that pond was broken by some one and does not exist now. Such images can now be seen in another Pond (water bouli) on the top of the cave where Mata Bhawan is constructed. These images cannot be caught in camera nor can these be videographed, but the pilgrims who pay obeisance in the shrine have these darshans and later on they tell that they have had the Darshan of such and such Devi, Devta which means that they have seen the images of different Devi, Devtas in the pious water of bouli. Besides, one can see pairs of pigeons mostly seen in natural Shiv shrines and a live snake is found near the cave and the devotees feel lucky and delighted after having their glimpses.  ( God and Man )

At a short distance from this holy shrine, there flows Trisandhya Nadi (stream) miraculously thrice a day from the top of a hill, and it also cease to exist naturally. The water is luke warm. It is not a regular flowing stream like other streams and mostly remains dry. The volume of the water is so much that it can run a mill. There is neither any lake nor any pond on the top of the hill where from the water could spill. As per Hindu mythology Trisandhya means three times of worship i.e. early morning, noon and evening prayers. Another astonishing fact is that water starts decreasing from the bottom of the stream towards upperside which should have been otherwise as a normal course. One can see the water coming from the upper side but receding from the bottom. After 1 or 2 hours flow not a single drop of water is seen in the stream. This is really a amazing glimpses, perhaps seen no where else. To have a bath in this miraculous stream is considered lucky and auspicious because some times it does not flow as per its routine and the devotees return disappointed and without having a pious bath.

As per a local myth, it is believed that after yogic self immolation of Mata Parvati in the Yagya of his father, Daksh Prajapati, Lord Shiva, on coming to know about this mis-happening reached the Yagya sathal and destroyed it and beheaded his father-in-law Daksh Prajapati. He took her dead body on his shoulders and wandered in the universe. At last He reached this place with some portion of the dead body which by then had been cut into 52 pieces by Lord Vishnu with his Sudershan Chakra. On reaching this place, He disappeared alongwith the dead body in this holy place.

Due to lack of motorable road connectivity from Patimhalla to Dachhan, the shrine has remained unknown to the rest of the State and the world. And does not find place in the religious tourist map of the State, country.
To pay obeisance to the deity and get the blessings of the Goddess, a yearly yatra namely Shri Hudh Mata (Trisindhya) Yatra is being arranged since early eighties. However due to lack of proper publicity, the Yatra has remained restricted to Kishtwar district only. But now, many pilgrims from outside the district and even State have started visiting the shrine during yatra days.

This year the Yatra shall start from Gouri Shankar Mandir Kishtwar on 14 July. Pious Charri shall be taken from Shri Radha Krishan Mandir village Sounder (Dachhan) on 15 July with haltages at Virat Mata Mandir Dilgoot (Panjdhara) Googath and will reach the Bhawan on 18 July. On the said day pilgrims shall have a bath in the pious water of Trisindhya stream. After performing Havan and offering Puran Ahuti on 18.07.2010 the Yatris shall return their homes at about 12 noon. ( Pandrethan Temple )

Pilgrims have to travel about 50/60 kms on foot to perform the Yatra. If Patimhalla - Dachhan motorable road is constructed, it can reduce the journey by 50 percent and the devotees shall have to travel only 25 - 30 kms on foot.

How to reach the shrine.
If any devotees, wants to perform this yatra, he should reach Gouri Shanker Mandir, Kishtwar on 3rd Thithi of Ashard Shukla Paksh. On 4th Thithi, yatris from Kishtwar and outside the District proceed towards Sounder village, the base camp of the Yatra, where from Chari Mubarak is taken on 5th Thithi. It reaches the holy shrine on 7th Thithi.

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