“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 his existence from the dawn of time.
Recently village Machail in Padder has turned out to be important place of religious importance and sanctity because of the temple of ‘Chandi Mata’. On the day of first Bhadon or Bhadoon Sankranti (15th or 16th August) every year, when the doors of temples in Padder are thrown open, a big mela is held outside Chandi Mata temple at Machail where people from all over Padder assemble and offer prayers to the deity and invoke her blessings.
A mace or Holi Chhari of Goddess Chandi Mata is taken out by the devotees from village Chinote Bhaderwah, the home village of Thakur Kulbir Singh. Under his auspicious control a procession is taken to Machail with people singing bhajans in praise of the goddess amidst beating of drums, playing upon flutes and chanting of mantras. Now a days the yatra is also taken out from Jammu.
This yatra has played the greatest role in highlighting the peculiarities of Padder and influencing among people the spirit of adventure. This procession starts from Bhaderwah than reaches Pul Doda on mid-day after that yatra moves towards Kishtwar crossing Thatari, Drabshalla, Kandni, Hasti than reaches Kishtwar near about 4pm. On next day, Yatra moves 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 continuously becoming popular day by day and is assuming the status of the second biggest pilgrimage in the Jammu Region, where more than 50 thousand pilgrims pored at Chandi Dham Machail at a time.
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 Hadar where from her “Chhari” (Holy Mace) starts in the month of August every year. Situated around 306 kms away from Jammu by (Jammu-Batote) (120 Kms), Batote-Kishtwar (121 Kms), Kishtwar-Atholi – Gulbgarh-65 kms) by road and thence on foot to Machail Mata which is barely 30 kms. Though the terrain is too tough to trek with the grace of almighty Mata Chandi, one feels hillbilly joyous in association with enchanting pilgrims echoing Jai Mata Dip Jai Chandi Mata. The entire track is dotted all along with yatries of all hues with colorful attire. The main stop-overs en route are from Atholi Gulabgarh are Layondee, S Kunderpul, Chishoti, Hamooree and thence Machail Mata’s seared temple. The entire area is landlocked 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 fury watery flames so gorgeously against perpendicular rocks. The Chhari starts from Bhadarwah town itself and this year this Chhari started from Bhadarwah on 19th August on foot led by the Pujari of Bhadarsah temple accompanied by the delighted devotees.
Darshan Dwar Machail
Machail Temple
Shiv Darshan
Pindi of Maa Machail
Idol of Maa Machail
Idols of Maa Chandi
Machail_Village
Idols of Maa Chandi
Idol of Maa Machail
Temple in Night
While on way, you come across many villages and hamlets on the left and right, though of course, unreachable and of the few hamlets are Matti, Seondi, Hamiddran, Massu, Mao, Garh, Naral, Sugliangadi, Bathree, Mulgo, Shagaani, Kokandran, Rotae, Palelee, Betha and a big village ligree having hamlets viz, Doordo, Stangarhi, Thatak, Shahalee, Totee, Pondale, Tunkhel, etc. etc. This village ligree is having a population around 1000 or so. It is a matter of pity that the educational front is very poor due to the inaccessibility of the area and there is no schooling above metric level. The entire belt is often surrounded by hot and cold springs which flow intermittently and some, of course, are perennial and these springs are called miracles of nature and these springs are considered as most sacred and meritorious. On reaching Machail a small village, rather hamlet is located at the sacred shrine of Mata Chandi depicted in the main photo and the devolve throng in queues for hours together to have a holy darshan of Mataji pay obedience and obtain blessings.
Though it may seem strange, but too true that lord Shiva is quite glitteringly with his consort Mata Parvati, through the rock is perpendicularly perched upon a very hard bed, not as yet reachable. This pious spot is located in the backdrop of the sacred shrine of Chandi Mata. Miraculous is the ways of the Gods and Goddesses who alone can well understand the mysteries of the vast, varied cosmic universe.
The Chhari as such culminated on 23rd August this year when a Maha Yaga was held and ended with Puran Ahoti. One should never forget to visit this holy shrine and if only really wants to enjoy nature, it is here and here alone – the sacred shrine of Mata Chandi Wali in whatever way we may call it to though, of course, this sacred shrine is the source of bliss in its long stretch of around twenty-nine km uphill/downhill trek, it is doubtlessly too though to trek the terrain for a normal being, tho are being exhausted in the process. The trek is serpentine and the Yatries are left with Hobson’s choice to reach the last reach of spot; the author, however, trekked the entire belt, interacted with locals en route, paid obeisance to sacred shakti of Mata Chandi of Machail, and during the course, ideas struck to my mind in respect of improvising this picturesque, spots, vibrant and salubrious pines which of course salute the Yatries echoless.
Machail Yatra attracts many visitors. Now with the increasing focus on Bhadarwah as a pilgrim and tourist spot, the civil amenities for this religious spot need to be undertaken on a war footing. Toilet blocks, the road up gradation plantation, rain shelters, and retaining walls at steep points have to incorporate in the developmental plan for Machail Mata Shrine. Then an increasing number of people will visit it to get spiritual peace. It will give a boost to the local economy which is hard-pressed at present.
Jaikara chandi mata da bolo sanche darbar ki jai. first the author deserves thanks for bringing out the whole information to all the viewers. i think the organising of the machail yatra needs to be given to some board like shri mata vaishnoo devi shrine board or some other board may be constituted because organising such an event is very difficult for the present organising committee although it has done a great job till now. first and formost thing that i think needs a special mention is the track that leads to the shrine since it is in bad shape. the government needs to provide funds for the development of the track into a road. it will serve the dual pvrpose of developing the road connectivity to the shrine as also to other villages as well as developing the area as tourist spot. MAY MATA CHANDI BLESS ALL!
Jai Maa Chandi… Thanks author for bringing this out… Year by year pilgrims are increasing and good news administration has already started out development for the road. The project is suppose to be road construction till Kandail Nala. Hopefully it will complete soon by grace of Maa Chandi. Jaikara chandi mata da bolo sanche darbar ki jai.
Jai chandi Mata Machaila Bali,we go to Mata Chandi Machail first time but we are enjoying the nature in which mata stay & darshan of mata darwar,its totaly out of our imigine.Hopefully we pray to mata for give the invitation for that holy place again & again Thanks with Jai Mata di Pardeep Bakshi
Jaikara chandi mata da bolo sanche darbar ki jai. first the author deserves thanks for bringing out the whole information to all the viewers. i think the organising of the machail yatra needs to be given to some board like shri mata vaishnoo devi shrine board or some other board may be constituted because organising such an event is very difficult for the present organising committee although it has done a great job till now. first and formost thing that i think needs a special mention is the track that leads to the shrine since it is in bad shape. the government needs to provide funds for the development of the track into a road. it will serve the dual pvrpose of developing the road connectivity to the shrine as also to other villages as well as developing the area as tourist spot. MAY MATA CHANDI BLESS ALL!
Jai Maa Chandi… Thanks author for bringing this out… Year by year pilgrims are increasing and good news administration has already started out development for the road. The project is suppose to be road construction till Kandail Nala. Hopefully it will complete soon by grace of Maa Chandi.
Jaikara chandi mata da bolo sanche darbar ki jai.
Jai chandi Mata Machaila Bali,we go to Mata Chandi Machail first time but we are enjoying the nature in which mata stay & darshan of mata darwar,its totaly out of our imigine.Hopefully we pray to mata for give the invitation for that holy place again & again
Thanks with
Jai Mata di
Pardeep Bakshi
finally i gt this blog..jai macheil mata ki
Hi
hi
jai chandimata di
may godess fulfil wishes of all her devotees
nice 2 see temple, even if u r away
jai mata di
dr. ajay sharma
jai mata paddar machail ke sada jai ho……….jai mata di
love u chandi maa
jai mata paddar machail ke sada jai ho……….jai mata di
love u chandi maa