Chandi Mata , Jammu & Kashmir, INDIA.

                              Chandi Mata, Jammu & Kashmir, INDIA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Machail Mata, or Chandi Mata, is an important pilgrimage site in Paddar of Kishtwar region of Jammu & Kashmir. Surrounded by the snow clad mountain ranges, it is located at an altitude of 9500 feet. Devotees need to cover a trek route of 30 km on foot to reach the temple from Gulabgarh, the last village connected by the transported road. Annually, thousands of pilgrims pay visit to the shrine to seek blessings of Mata Machala Wali. Infact, the number of pilgrims with each passing year has kept on increasing manifolds. As per legend, Mata Chandi appreared in the form of pindi, the same as it is in Mata Vaisho Devi. 

An annual Yatra of Mata Machail held in the month of August. The Yatra starts from Chinoti (Bhaderwah) and ends at Machail at the shrine. This is a two day journey from Atholi via Gulabgarh. Thousands of pilgrims from far and wide places partake in the Yatra to pay obeisance to Mata Chandi.

Last year our family decided to go to chandi mata .We are total 20 people.I along with my cousins , uncles and aunts.We started our journey at 5:00 am in our two personal vehicles.10 people in each vehicle From jammu 

After few hours , the  view which was in front of all of us was very beautiful.There were only beautiful hills around us .The road to chandi mata is very dangerous.
It is ony an one lane road.So it is very difficult to travel fast on this road.So our average speed is 40 km per hour .The road journey in itself was mesmerizing as the road traced sapphire like blue Chenab river.

At 9:00 pm we reached Gulabgarh from where the yatra starts.We stayed there that night in a hotel.Next morning we started our journey along with my family from Gulabhgarh.Gulabgarh in itself is a beautiful place with Buddhist monasteries, they're very serene and are full of adorable buddhist kids chanting.

It took 15 hours to reach at end at Machail at the shrine.The way to temple form Gulabhgarh is very beautiful and also very dangerous.One side there was a 9500 feet high hill and one side there was a 1200 feet deep chenab river.So we have to walk very carefully as there is no any source of support .We saw many beautiful hills , charming views along the way to the temple.We walked on a cable bridge.

The Shrine in itself is hauntingly beautiful, it's on top of a mountain and is covered in prayer confetti flags, It gets really cold in the night.Next day we returned back to the Gulabgarh and it again took 15 hours to reach there.We totally walk 60km on feet .We took rest at Gulabgarh one day and next day we returned back to Jammu.
Thanks For Visit.
By Sunny From Jammu.
Write a comment in order to improve me to serve you better.