“The annual pilgrimage to the revered Shree Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, has commenced following the temple’s reopening after the winter season. Officials announced the start of the Yatra on Baisakhi Sunday.
The idol of Goddess Machail Mata (Durga) was ceremonially moved from the local priest’s residence to the temple, accompanied by religious rituals and a fair. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, along with BJP MLA Sunil Sharma and Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan, attended the reopening.
Commissioner Kumar conducted a thorough review of the pilgrimage’s preparations, focusing on security, electricity, water, sanitation, accommodation, transportation, and healthcare provisions. Deputy Commissioner Shavan detailed the coordinated efforts of civil and police administrations, as well as local stakeholders, to ensure a seamless experience for devotees.
The Shree Machail Mata Yatra attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually. The district administration has urged all pilgrims to follow safety guidelines for their health and well-being.
