Shri
Chandi Mata Machail
"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, spiritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of
time. Recently village Machail in Paddar 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 Paddar are thrown open, a big mela is held outside
Chandi Mata temple at Machail where people from all over Paddar 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 days the yatra is also taken out from Jammu. This yatra has played the greatest role in highlighting the peculiarities of Paddar 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.
 |
| Idols of Maa Chandi at Machail, Paddar |
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 days the yatra is also taken out from Jammu. This yatra has played the greatest role in highlighting the peculiarities of Paddar 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.
 |
| Temple of Maa Chandi at Machail, 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 pilgrim 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 Bhadarwah 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 bearely 30
kms. 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 Dip Jai Chandi Mata. The entire track is dotted all along with
yatries of all hues with colourful attire. The main stop-overs en route are
from Atholi Gulabgarh are Layondee, S Kunderpul, Chishoti, Hamooree and thence
Machail Matas scared temple. The entire arees is land locked surrounded by
lushgreen, 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 some times going against your track with roaring echoes
and foaming firry watery flames so gorgeously against perpendicular rocks. The
Chhari starts from Bhadarwah town on 19th August on foot led by the Punjari of
Bhadarsah temple accompanied by the delighted devotees.
While on way, you
come across many villages and hamlet on the left and right, through 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 arounding 1000 or so. It is a matter of pity that educational front
is very poor due to 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 mainphoto and the devolve throng in queues for hours together to have a holy darshan of Mataji pay obience and obtain blessings. Though it may seen 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 back drop of sacred shrine of Chandi Mata. Miraculous are the ways of the Gods and Goddesses who alone can well understand the mysteries of the vast, varied cosmic universe.
 |
| Yatries waiting for their turn to perform Darshan to this scared temple |
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 mainphoto and the devolve throng in queues for hours together to have a holy darshan of Mataji pay obience and obtain blessings. Though it may seen 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 back drop of sacred shrine of Chandi Mata. Miraculous are 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 Yagya was held and ended with
Puran Ahoti. One should never forget to visit this holy shrine and if only
really wants to enjoy the 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
kms uphill/downhill trek, it is doubtlessly too though to trek the terrain for
a normal being, though are being exhausted in the process. The trek is
serpentine and the Yathri are left with Hobson’s choice to reach the last reach
of spot; 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. Though the list goes endlessly, yet the major points are highlighted
here under: - Machail Yatra attracts many numbers of visitors. Now with the
increasing focus on Badarwah as a pilgrim and tourist spot the civil amenities
for this religious spot need to be undertaken on a war footing. Toilet blocks,
road up gradation plantation, rain shelters and retaining walls at steep points
have to incorporate in the developmental plan for Machail Mata Shrine. Then
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.
