Shri Machail Mata Yatra 2026 Deferred Till July 27
Due to Inclement Weather; Online Registration
and RFID Mandatory for All Pilgrims

📍 Kishtwar  |  📅 24 July 2026  |  🛕 Yatra: 25 July – 8 September 2026

“The primary reason behind the new SOPs is the safety and convenience of pilgrims.”

Yatra Deferred Due to Inclement Weather

Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Sh. Pankaj Kumar Sharma (JKAS), today informed that the Shri Machail Mata Yatra 2026 is officially scheduled to be held from July 25 to September 8. However, due to inclement weather conditions, the Yatra has been stopped for three days and deferred till July 27. The District Administration will review the weather situation following this, and the Yatra will commence only after favourable weather conditions.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the Holy Kapat of the Sacred Shrine of Shri Machail Mata Ji will reopen on the 25th as per the rituals, and the priests and locals at Machail will perform the traditional rituals. Thereafter, keeping in view the prevailing weather conditions, the pilgrimage for devotees will commence after July 28, subject to an assessment of favourable weather conditions.

New SOPs: Online Registration & RFID Mandatory

Highlighting the new SOPs introduced this year, the Deputy Commissioner said the primary reason behind them is the safety and convenience of pilgrims. He informed that 100 percent online registration has been made mandatory and an RFID system has also been introduced.

Under the RFID system, the movement of every pilgrim will be tracked. Necessary infrastructure has already been installed to monitor pilgrim movement and ensure that vulnerable areas, including steep gorges and landslide-prone stretches, do not witness overcrowding, thereby enhancing pilgrim safety.

Yatra Route & Facilities at Darshini Deodi

The Deputy Commissioner informed that the Yatra starts from Jammu. The total distance from Jammu to Machail Bhawan is 304.7 kilometres, of which only 1.7 kilometres have to be covered on foot, while the remaining stretch is motorable. At the last motorable point, Darshini Deodi, facilities including drinking water, electricity, sanitation, toilets, and parking have been arranged.

A small bus stand has been established at Darshini Deodi, Machail, with a holding capacity of 50–70 vehicles, which will carry pilgrims from Gulabgarh.

He further informed that pilgrims will be allowed to travel only between 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM. A daily cap of 8,000 pilgrims has also been fixed. Once the daily limit is reached, the remaining registered pilgrims will be allowed to proceed the following day.

How to Register Online for Machail Mata Yatra 2026

Appealing to devotees, the Deputy Commissioner urged all pilgrims to complete their registration before commencing the Yatra. Online registration can be completed through the official portal:

Security Arrangements

Referring to the security arrangements, SSP Kishtwar, Sh. Naresh Singh (JKPS), said that Police, NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Special Police pickets have been deployed along the Yatra route to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims. Police personnel have also been deployed at vulnerable risk locations to inform and create awareness among pilgrims to avoid staying at these locations.

The SSP Kishtwar has appealed to all devotees to carefully read and strictly follow the SOPs, observe the prescribed travel timings, and cooperate with the administration for the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Machail Mata Yatra.