Unexplored Beauty of Dachhan

Dachhan

Dachhan is a picturesque remote area of district Kishtwar. It is 50 km away from district headquarters Kishtwar and 280 km away from Jammu, the winter capital of J&K state. It is dotted with a number of tourist destinations which remain neglected and unexplored due to umpteen reasons-one of them is lack of connectivity via road, air or rail with rest of the State. The populace of this picturesque area is habitated mostly on the left/right banks of river Marwah- Troutrich. It is still a non descript area even in the age of information technology where the entire world has become a small village.

It has several lush green meadows such as Lovmarg, Saterchen, and Nachunbhachun etc. where the nomadic cowherds and shepherds graze their flock. These can be exploited and developed by creating requisite infrastructure i.e., Tourist huts in these meadows. For the promotion of tourism in the area, annual tourism mela on the pattern of Laldraman Doda where Grameen cum Tourism Mela is held every year for promoting tourism in the area, can be organized for luring the tourists. In winter when there is a white cover of snow everywhere, these meadows can be used for skiing and thus world class ski resorts may be developed.

It has some of the highest peaks in the world which offers exciting treks ranging from difficult to the very easy. It has been a favourite with trekkers since the British Raj. A dozen of peaks in the Kiar Nallah include Sickle Moon (6574m), eiger (6001m), Cathedral (5370m) etc. and a dozen of peaks in the Nath nallah include Brammah-i (6416m), Brammah-ii (6425m), Brammah's wife (5297m), Crooked Finger(5630m) etc. which can be used for trekking tourism. It is pertinent to mention here that some of these peaks were tried to scale during the British Raj but many of them are still virgin till date.

Pilgrimage tourism such as annual Hudh Mata Yatra can also be used for attracting pilgrims. The important features of this shrine includes a natural made cave, a temple besides Trisandiya-a stream which flows down thrice a day and becomes dry from downward to upward and leaves not even a single drop of water in the Nallah. Besides, Dachhan is also a hub of several unique places which can be used for spiritual upliftment as they offer a calm, serene and soul invigorating environment for all as these are far away from humdrum city life.

There is an important national park in the region, one of only three in the state. The Kishtwar high altitude national park is situated 33020'-34000'n and 75040'-76010'e. It has an area of 400 sq.km/42,500 Ha. It was declared as a national park in February, 1981. Its altitude varies from 1700m to 4800m. It has 13 types of vegetations, 14/15 species of large mammals and 50 species of birds. It receives an annual rainfall of about 760mm.

Dachhan is abundant with hot water springs called as Tatta Panni which are said to help in the treatment of skin diseases and rheumatic pains. Hundreds of local people visit these springs for a cure every year.

To explore the beauty of this unhidden area, the need of the hour is to develop this exquisite place as a tourist spot by connecting the area through road, creating necessary infrastructure apart from making wide publicity of the area both inside and outside the state through print and electronic media so that all sorts of tourists may be attracted to visit the area which will not only economically develop the area but also these tourists will act as ambassadors in their respective areas for dissemination of information and help in cementing the ties between the people. By way of this, Dachhan can become the most popular summer/winter pleasure resorts. It has temperate climate which is conducive for all.

In the end, I would like to make a sincere appeal to all the stakeholders to pay adequate attention for the overall development of Dachhan in whatever form they can contribute. Just as we work hard day and night for shaping our career, in the same way please make a lifelong mission of developing the area which, in true sense, we can do justice to heaven like Dachhan. Japan has become a developed country despite of causing large scale devastation on the two important cites -Nagasaki and Horoshima through two atom bombs on 6th and 9th August, 1945. Do you know what the reason behind this is? The reason behind this is that if the Govt. building collapses, the Japanese dismantle their own house and repair the Govt. building. Due to this single indispensable quality of Japanese, they have again succeeded in scaling the ladder of development. I want to see such sense of feeling among the people of Dachhan so that it may become a developed area which in turn paves way for the prosperity of the people of Dachhan as well as J&K State. Someday, God willing, these pretty places will make Dachhan a major tourist destination.

While summing up the entire write-up, I would like to quote a few beautiful couplets of Marry Petrie for the praise of Dachhan:- each mountain in wintry grandeur towers, and whitens with eternal sleet, while summer in a vale of flowers, is sleeping rosy at its feet.

 

By Sunil Kumar

Kishtwar Ignored Paradise

With a region of concerning 8000 kms amidst nearly mountainous and hilly topography like that of Kashmir, Himachal or Ladakh region, district Kishtwar has its boundaries touching the valley on its north-west facet and Ladakh region on its north-east with lahul spiti valleys of Himachal within the south-east and Doda district on south-west. the whole district is packed with hills and mountains, forests & vegetation. The population or demography is mixed. Hindus, Muslims SCs, STs, Sikhs and Bodhs are reside herewith amity and brotherhood. The population is found settled upto an altitude of 9500 ft. higher than MSL within the hilly and higher regions. The district has four tehsils specifically Marwah, Padder, Chhatro and Kishtwar with respective Hqrs at Navpachi, Atholi, Chhatroo and Kishtwar, respectively. nearly entire district receives snowfall throughout an honest winter. The climate is analogous to that of valley of Himachal.

With a high potential for tourism the district is packed with hidden charm, wonderful sites and alluring, spots, health resorts, enticing tourism locations, famous historical and spiritual places, sacred shrines and monuments. The forests are packed with mineral wealth, sort of timber and trees of highest quality, medication and herbs and alternative medicinal shrubs and plants like mushroom, chilgoza, black zeera, artemisia, saffron besides the opposite forest resources of tremendous utility. Mineral wealth if properly explored and extracted will become a boon to get revenue notably the massive sapphire reserves mines of Machail Padder.

Tehsil Kishtwar with HQ at Kishtwar extends upto Galhar within the east, Palmar within the north, Thakrai etc. within the west and Sarthal Saroor, Bunjwa within the south-east. At Sarthal the distinguished holy famous temple of Mata Asht-Dash-Bhuja" i.e. Goddess with eighteen arms i.e. Mata Sarthal Dev ji is found where folks and devotees return around the year to pay their obeisance and acquire blessings. At Rakna Palmar there's famous holy Ziarat as additionally at Bhanderkote where sacred temples of Lord Shiva and Durga Mata are located where folks throng to pay their obeisance. At Saroor, Bimal-Nag and in Bunjwa a captivating spot Devigole are the Centre of Tourism attraction for his or her monumental beauty and grandeur price seeing. At correct Kishtwar, we've a holy Gurudwara where several Sharadhaloos return to possess blessings.

Tehsil Paddar with H.Q at Atholi is sixty two kms far from within the east of district H.Q. Kishtwar and has abundant of its own to supply. From Atholi one km away on the opposite bank of river Chenab is found the opposite famous spot Gulabgarh where several Govt. offices are located. The confluence purpose of river Chenab and tributary Bhote-Nallah is admittedly terribly fascinating that none will afford to miss. the foremost non secular and sacred Shrine of Mata Chandi is found at an altitude of 9500 ft. at Machail where lacs of yatries and devotees return to pay their obeisance once a year throughout famous Machail Yatra throughout August.

One cannot and should not afford to miss the possibility of visiting. Gumpas of Bodh faith that happen to be three kms far from Machail and has abundant of its own to supply. All the foot journey type, Padder Gulabgarh to Machail of forty kms length may be a treasure of a nature's glimpses, attractions, expeditions, enroute temples, caves, art and gallery, effervescent streams, springs, lushing greenery snow clad peaks and even naked mountain peaks.

The nature's smiling creativity within the 2 magnanimous waterfalls of the whole volume of Bhote river provides a really thrilling expertise and a feast of pleasure to each passer-by that no camera eye will afford to miss. the govt.   should channelize its all energy to finish the development of road from Gulabgarh to Machial on war-footing basis to spice up tourism and supply quick access to the sacred shrsine of Chandi Mata the holy glimpses of the sapphire mines. A famous hot-water spring at Tata Pani (Kundal) has its own importance where streams of individuals rush to possess a shower to urge rid of joint pains and skin disorders."

Similarly Chhatroo tehsil with its H.Q. at Chhatroo includes a charm of its own amidst its topography, geography, landscape, effervescent streams, meadows, valleys inexperienced fields and forest ranges. Chingam is admittedly fascinating and thrilling location, where natural beauty and providential bit has its own say. The work on Kishtwar - Sinthan road is nearing completion and in due course of your time this shall throw open a historic journey for the tourists to enter into the valley or leave the valley with a replacement thrilling expertise through a replacement landscape, routes and peoples to possess sweet reminiscences of the trip.

Marwah-Wadwan and Dachhan space of tehsil Marwah has distinctive charm of its own to draw in tourists. The inexperienced lush meadows of the region amidst thick and natural forest ranges makes one forget the sooner landscapes one would have come upon and makes one feel that the character will smile within the interior cut-off isolate places for serenity which the providence has descended itself here to settle during this charming and engaging land surrounded by forest wealth. The inexperienced meadows effervescent streams and lushing water falls along side hot water spring at Rinie Nallah and therefore the wild life sanctuary within the space give a feast of attraction to the visiting eyes that no camera will afford to miss from its focusing lens. the world remains un-connected from the district H.Q. Kishtwar and therefore the work of connectivity is incredibly slow and demand immediate attention of the govt.  . to open out this lovely landscape to tourist community at the earliest.

Commanding an altitude of 5300 ft. above M.S.L. the district H.Q. Kishtwar 231 kms NE of the winter capital Jammu connected by NHIA - NHIB and concerning a hundred and eighty kms S.E. of summer capital Srinagar additionally connected by a highway is situated majestically on a plateau formation stretching over a length of six kms and a width of concerning a pair of kms amidst wonderful picturesque mountain ranges with the mightly river Chenab following at its foot forming a semiloop to supply a dimension of further attraction to its location.

The population of the district H.Q that is additionally the tehsil H.Q comprising city, mandal & alternative localities as well as NHPC colony and its advanced is concerning sixty five thousand. The Dul-Hasti Power Project of 390 MW Power generation with its HQ campus at Kishtwar and colonies at headsite Dool and damsite at Shalimar has been a boon to develop the world and its activities.

With mountain ranges all around and luxurious inexperienced fields lulling the world, the District HQ if caught within the camera eyes from a height or through an aerial read seems a paragon of beauty. Amidst all this Kishtwar district H.Q. includes a nice privilege of heaving a flat, swish stretch of ground (Plateau) domestically referred to as Chowgaan that includes a natural grass turf that transforms it into a soft inexperienced carpet as if a God given gift and a blessing in disguise reminding one and every one to preserve its originality its configuration its dignity and charm for all times to come back. It is, in fact, the face of Kishtwar the grace of Kishtwar and therefore the praise of 1 and every one. Right from Moughal amount kings, princess, historian, folks of all shades by the tourists, trekkers, sportsmen or outsiders all have eulogized its grace and importance. it's of historic, religious, social, cultural and academic significance. At its one finish is found the famous holy Ziyarat of Shah Asar-ud-Din Sahib whereas at the opposite finish is that the famous red Gori-Shanker temple.

Many religious social and cultural, ceremonial, instructional and even sports functions are held here during this ground throughout the year besides political and administrative functions. One the northern finish of this Chowgan there's an aerodrome of concerning one km length where Aeroplanes like Dacotta seven alternative sorts are landing since early 50s at the time of would like and helicopters fairly often. there's full scope for normal air service provided the govt.  . provides attention to the present very important side. At district HQ Kishtwar and in its shut neighbourhood there are a dozen of enticing spots like Tund, Aarsi, Tailmuchi, Bharnoyan, Drab, Cheer-Har, Indra Nagar and Bhanderkote the confluence of river Chenab and Marsudhar river; Sarkoot lake, Chhar-Chinar etc. that if properly taken care of and developed by the Tourism Deptt. Or by the Kishtwar Development Authority within the real earnest, will function the most effective feast for the tourist culture.

So there's not an iota of doubt that Kishtwar is an ignored treasure of tourist pleasure seeking kind attention of Chief Minister and therefore the Tourism Minister to come back out open heartedly with none reservations to spice up the tourism potential of Kishtwar and alternative such areas of the State which require Govt's utmost attention to bring them on tourist map. it's appealed to the CM and therefore the Tourism Minister to deliver justice by bringing all the historic, scenic of the non secular sacred shrines of Kishtwar."

Cultural Academy of Jammu Kashmir

Status & Mandate: One of the few constitutional bodies in the State like Universities and Public Service Commission, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was set up by the Government in the year 1958 by proviso to Section 146 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir for a specific purpose of to foster and co-ordinate activities in the spheres of letters and languages, visual and plastic arts, music, dance and drama and of culture generally. It was declared as an autonomous corporate body, vide SRO No-340 of 1963.

Having jurisdiction over the entire State, the Academy combines in itself the functions of: a) Sahitya Akademi (Akademi of Letters)b) Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi of Music, Dance & Drama)c) Lalit Kala Akademi (Akademi of Visual and Plastic Arts). Other than its headquarters at Srinagar, which moves to Jammu during winter in camp, it has also set up regional offices at Srinagar and Jammu and sub- offices at Leh, Kargil, Doda and Rajouri. In Jammu the Academy has its office.

Governing Authorities: With the Governor as ex-officio Patron, Chief Minister, as the ex-officio President, the Secretary is the principal executive of the Academy. The supreme authorities that exercise entire administrative and financial control over the Academy are a General Council and Central Committee.

Achievements: The pioneer institution now popularly known as Cultural Academy, having the fortune of flourishing under stewardship of luminaries like Jail Lal Kaul and Mohammad Yusuf Taing and others as Secretaries, has made a seminal contribution in preserving folk arts and promoting developing languages and cultural expressions in all the three regions of the State through a number of novel schemes and initiatives.

Languages & Literature: Various schemes operated by the Academy for the promotion of languages and literature which have yielded fruitful results include publication of ‘Sheeraza’, a literary journal in all languages of the State, annual anthologies, books in regional languages. So far more than 300 books bave been published by Academy in Kashmiri, Urdu, Persian, Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi, Ladakhi, Gojari, Pahari, English and on Fine arts and Music.

Cultural Academy has done a yeoman’s service in Preservation of Folklore and Music by way of collecting and documenting in book form folk songs and folk tales, folk proverbs, in all the major regional languages of the State. Other initiative of the Academy is the on-going projects of publication of Dictionaries and Encyclopedia. So far multi-volume dictionaries in Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri and Urdu- Kashmiri Farhang, have been published while the work on Ladakhi, Pahari & Dogri- Hindi Dictionaries is in progress. Encyclopedia Kashmiriana’s four fully illustrated volumes have been published and cover areas like Kashmir Archaeology & Architecture, coins, handicrafts, language and literature. While the fifth volume on Folklore of Kashmir is in process. Academy has also started the project of Encyclopedia Dogriana.

Other measures to encourage writers in the Sate include, ‘Subsidy to Authors’, ‘Best Book Awards’ holding of Mushairas, Seminars, Literary Conferences, Sham-i-Afsanas, Sham-i- Ghazals and Literary Get-togethers, All State Writers Camps, Play Script Competitions, Meet the Eminent Contemporary programmes. The following Eminent Contemporaries have participated in these programmes till date are Sarva Shri Amin Kamil, Rehman Rahi, Hamidi Kashmiri, Dina Nath Nadim, Ram Nath Shastri, Jagan Nath Azad, B.P. Sharma, Ved Ghai, Padma Sachdeva, Sukhdev Singh Charak, Mohd.Yousuf Taing, Nishat Kishatwari, Madan Mohan Sharma, Dinu Bhai Pant, K.S. Madhukar, Yash Sharma etc.

Performing Arts: With reference to development of Music, Dance and Drama, Academy in its role of Sangeet Natak Akademi, has been working for revival of Bhagat Theatre in Kashmir. Today the dying tradition stands revived and here are more than 32 theatre groups, which are committed to the upliftment and development of this most cherished folk form of Bhand Pather.

Theatre: The vibrant modern theatre movement in the State today that has brought J&K theatre on national scene is due to the policies of the Academy which included sponsoring scholars to National School of Drama, New Delhi for training in dramatics, and holding of ‘Theatre Festivals’.

Music: Academy has been organizing Classical Music and Dance Concerts from time to time. Almost all the top-notch vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers of the day have performed in these concerts.

Academy is regularly organizing Folk Festivals with a view to encourage the folk performers and keep their interest alive in this field. The results have been encouraging as is evident from the revival of ‘Bhand Pather’, ‘Daastan’, ‘Chakkari’ and ‘Dhamali Dance’ forms from Kashmir likewise ‘Haran’, ‘Masadhe’ and ‘Geetru’ etc. from Jammu region.

Academy’s the Inter State Cultural Exchange programmes in form of sponsoring organizing visits of local cultural troupes to various States of the country have contributed in promotion cultural understanding between the State of J&K with rest of the country.

To encourage various age groups from among school and college going children, Academy has been organizing On-the-Spot Children’s Music Competitions, Summer Training Camps are also organized by the Academy to introduce children to the dramatics and dance. 

Academy in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi, had sponsored the visits of State Cultural Troupes to Germany, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, France, Malaysia, U.A.E and erstwhile U.S.S.R. etc.

Visual Arts: In the field of visual arts Academy was first in the country to hold All India Artists/ Sculptors Camps from in 1968 in order to introduce local artists to the works of senior artists of the country. At present the Academy collection includes nearly 385 paintings and 118 sculptures. Great Artists of our time like M.F. Hussain, G.R. Santosh, Luxman Pai, N.S. Bendre, J. Swaminathan, B.C. Sanyal, Jatin Dass, Manu Parekh, Sukumar Bhattacharjee, Paritosh Sen, Tyub Mehta, Amba Dass, Robin David, Vidya Rattan Khajuria and a galaxy of other artists’/ sculptors’ works form the Academy’s most valuable collection of modern art.

Holding Annual Art Exhibitions launched in 1960 have since become a yardstick for acknowledging individual excellence in the field. To provide encouragement to the artists, Awards were also instituted. The scheme of giving subsidy to artists has been facilitating in holding of one-man and group shows both within and outside the State. 

Academy also confers Robes of Honour and Fellowships on the towering personalities of the respective fields. The State Academy Award of Rs 1.00 lac for the life, to the outstanding, significant contribution in the field of literature and art was instituted in 1997.

Reference Libraries: The regional libraries in offices at Srinagar, Jammu, Leh and Kargil have collection of rare and reference books, which are made available to scholars for consultation.

To keep the age-old tradition of Urdu Calligraphy alive in the State, Academy is running a calligraphy class. The students are also paid scholarships.

Financial Assistance/Recognition is being given by the Academy to the voluntary organizations engaged in the promotion of languages and literature, performing arts etc. Presently the Academy is providing financial assistance to more than 100 cultural and literary institutions. Academy provides financial assistance at the uniform rate of Rs.300/- per month to the writers and artists who are in indigent circumstances and who leave their families unprovided for. Kitab Ghar: Academy has set up outlets in the cities of Jammu, Srinagar and Leh for the sale of its own publications and audiocassettes besides other books. Books of local authors, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and many other agencies are also being sold through the following Kitab Ghars.

Issue of Autonomy: In the light of fast changing scenario in Jammu and Kashmir where boundaries of politics and culture are getting blurred day-by-day, there is an urgent need to strengthen the functional as well as financial autonomy of the institutions like Cultural Academy.

The delay in appointment of Academy’s permanent Secretary, despite the recommendation of the Selection Committee formed for the purpose, lying in its Chief Minster office since more than three months, has again raised question in the minds of community of littérateurs, regarding the seriousness of the highest political authority towards the affairs of the Academy.

Make the General Council functional:

In a blatant violation Academy’s Constitution, there has been no meeting of the General Council, the so-called supreme authority of Academy, since 1989. Despite the fact that after every five years, the official term of one General Council, the process of the nomination of the members has regularly been taking place. But term of each of such Council was allowed to lapse without holding any single meeting.

This much-needed step to correct blatant violation of Academy’s Constitution will not only restore the democratic functioning of the Academy but also address one of the major grievances of intellectual community.

Trifurcation of the Academy: In the light new forms and products that are redefining present day practices of arts, it is time to consider the reorganization of the Cultural Academy into three separate academies on the national pattern that is also being followed in many other states of the country. That is the Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy and the Lalit Kala Academy. This demand of trifurcation of the Academy which is being raised by J&K writers and artists since last few decades, needs to be taken up seriously so as to provide equitable opportunities for promotion and development Arts of Letters, Performing and Visual Arts in the State.

In the light of the above it is also felt by writers and artists that instead of more infrastructure like the proposed plan to open sub-offices at Kishtwar, Bhadarwah, Kathua, Udhampur, Pulwama, Kupwara, Shopian, Baramulla and Budgam districts of the State, it is important to update and modernize existing schemes, facilities and infrastructure like the proper cataloguing and conservation of art collection and books, digitization of libraries, display and presentation at Kitab Garhs etc.

Machail Yatra

Bhaderwah and Kishtwar in Jammu province are dotted with a number of famous pilgrimage sites, all located in the lap of splendid nature. These sites attract thousands of people every year from all over the country. A visit to any pocket of the area richly endowed with nature’s wealth is a life time experience.

One such place, which is very significant both as a religious pilgrimage and also as a popular tourism circuit and is thronged by devotees in large numbers, is the shrine of Chandi Mata or Machail Wali Mata. “Chandi Mata” - the `Goddess of Benevolence’ showers blessing to all irrespective of caste, creed and colour.

Machail Yatra has become one of the most popular annual pilgrimages of the state after Amarnath Yatra and is organized every year during the month of August. This is in spite of the fact that the yatra started in the year 1980 when Thakur Kulvir Singh Jamwal began this yatra from his ancestral house at Chinote Bhaderwah to Machail in erstwhile Doda district which now falls in district Kishtwar.

There’s an interesting anecdote as how this yatra began. Thakur Kulvir Singh Jamwal, while talking to KTNS, narrated that he was serving in Jammu and Kashmir police department as Assistant Sub-inspector and was on his duty in Machail in the 1970s.

He was blessed with a child in January 1977 strangely he (child) would fall ill in the month of August every year and this continued from 1977-1980 when he saw a deity in his dream. He proceeded to Machail Yatra to pay his obeisance to the deity. Again he saw the deity in his dream who asked him to come back after some time. On August 10, 1980, he proceeded to yatra from Chinote Bhaderwah to Machail thereby making the beginning of the yatra which now holds a special place in the chronology of events in any calendar year in the state. He said that in 1980, he was accompanied by 25 members out of who 23 were the members of his family while two were employees from the police department. Then in 1981 and 1982, the yatra was led by Master Krishan Lal of Atholi, in 1983 it was led by Sewa Ram and in 1984, Nek Ram of Kishtwar led the Yatra. In 1985, Kulvir Singh again led the yatra from Chinote, Bhaderwah and after that the yatra became a regular feature from Bhaderwah. With each passing year, the number of pilgrims went on increasing. In 1985, we had a bus full of yatris, he recalled. Slowly and steadily the number of pilgrims proceeding to Yatra swelled to thousands. 

Now, a large number of devotees from across the state take part in the yatra. The mention of Machail yatra would be incomplete without the mention of “Trishul Bhaint” yatra, which has become an innate first step of main yatra.

The “Trishul Bhaint” yatra is organised by one Shimal Kumar Jain from Doda. Kulvir Singh informed that he had requested his friend Shimal Kumar Jain in 1986 to offer a Trishul (trident) for yatra. In response, Shimal Kumar brought a Trishul from Muradabad and offered him at Chinote in the form of procession (yatra) in 1986, that was the beginning of “Trishul Bhaint”  yatra.

Now the yatra is an annual feature. The “Trishul Bhaint” yatra leaves from Doda city to Chinote Bhaderwah every year on July 1. It is preceded by a Jagran at Radheysham Temple at Doda city on June 29 which is followed by break on June 30 and the next day i.e., July 1, the yatra leaves for Bhaderwah. In the Trishul Bhaint Yatra at least 50-60 buses leave Doda for Chinote. After reaching Chinote, the yatra is received and welcomed with great zeal by the local people at Chinote.

Enroute yatra, arrangement is made for drinking water and eatables at several places. The pilgrims after reaching Chinote pay obeisance to the deity (Chandi mata) which is followed by a Jagran and a langar (community lunch) after which the people leave for their homes.

Kulvir Singh told, “The trident (Trishul), which is brought from Doda, is then taken from Chinote to Machail, in the form of “Pavittar Chharri” (holy mace) after one month and 18 days of “pooja” at Chinote. The yatra which starts from Bhaderwah on August 18 is joined by people from Doda and other parts of the state at Pul Doda.  

According to a legend, the Goddess Chandi appeared at Machail in the shape of Shila (Pindi). The mother came here from her Mindhal Battas (HP) to bless the simple, ignorant, helpless and deprived people of Padder area.

The Machail Yatra is a unique pilgrimage with unique features. Besides spiritual, its social aspect is more effective and impressive where the devotees are asked to shun social evils for the welfare of society and mankind.

In Jammu, her temple is in Mahalaxmi Mandir at Pacca Danga. Yatra at Jammu region starts with a religious procession which passes through Jain Bazar, Link Road, Purani Mandi, Raghunath Bazar and Indira Chowk and then joins the yatra at Chinote Bhaderwah.

On the day of Machail yatra, the volunteers from Bhaderwah serve the yatris with eatables at Chandi Mata Mandir. They reach early morning at Chinote where they prepare lunch and prasad for those visiting from Jammu and other regions to join the yatra.

A number of buses in a cavalcade leave from Chinote and pass through Bhaderwah Seri Bazaar where the locals greet the yatris and wish them successful yatra for the peace in the area. The main stopover or reception stations en-route are established at Bhala, Pul Doda, Prem Nagar, Thathri, Kistwar, Paddar, Massu, Chishoti, Atholi Gulabgarh, Layondee, S Kunderpul, Chishoti, Hamooree and then at Machail Mata’s temple. Through out the route religious congregation and Bhandaras are organized to highlight the importance of the yatra. The yatra from Gulab Garh leaves on foot towards Machail which is about 30 km. 

The holy shrine of the Goddess Chandi is situated at a height of over 8,000 feet above the sea level in Machail village in Padder surrounded by high mountains, thick Deodar forests, attractive meadows and world famous sapphire mines.

The most attractive lion astride idols of the Goddess Chandi and Lakshmi Ji made of pure silver are a rare sight and source of inspiration for the pilgrims who come to seek blessing of Goddess.

The most important and impressive aspect of the Machail Yatra is the unique holy mace of the Goddess which leads the pilgrims and provides them with strength and inspiration enroute. Amidst natural splendour, the people trek the mountainous route chanting “jai maa chandi”, “jai maa chandi”. The entire yatra route is followed by river Chenab which was earlier called “Chandrabagha” which has an enchanting cascading flow here.

The route is a mix of plains and mountains, broad and narrow route, even somewhere the route is so narrow that only a single person can pass through. In the yatra route there is a place which is called “darshani darwaza” where the yatris keep their holy maces and perform pooja and then the holy mace is carried forward and the yatris follow. After reaching at the temple site a full night “jagran” is organised where after the people leave for their homes in the morning. Another important feature of the yatra is that after the yatra concludes, the holy mace is brought back and is placed in the “Mata Chandi’s temple at Chinote, Bhaderwah.   

                       

The Chandi Dham Machail has both Shiv and Shakti. On the one hand, the Goddess Chandi (Shakti) is blessing her devotees at Machail village while on the other hand there’s a Shiva Lingam on the opposite high mountain where the pilgrims visit to pay obeisance on the pious occasion of the Shakti yatra. The mountain is called Shiv Pahad which often remains covered with black clouds. The devotees describe it as a unique union of Shiva and Shakti at Machail.

Yet another beautiful aspect of the spiritual Machail Yatra, which gives an opportunity to have a union with the magnificent nature, is that it has strengthened the spirit of religious tolerance, bonds of secularism and mutual brotherhood among the masses which is apparent from the fact that even the Muslim brothers remain present in good strength to receive the Yatra where-ever it passes.