Machail Mata Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is a famous Hindu temple in Machail village of Paddar, Kishtwar. Also known as Machail Matasthan, the temple has beautiful landscapes including green hills, glaciers, and streams of river Chanaba This temple is also known as Chandi Mata Tirtha as Goddess Durga is also known as Chandi. A large number of devotees visit this Hindu temple during the famous Machail Yatra or Chhadi Yatra which starts from Chinote in Bhaderwah. The Machail Mata mace or holi chhari is removed by the devotees from village Chinote Bhaderwah and carried to Machail, where every year on the first day of Bhadon (August 15th or 16th) the temple doors are opened, and a grand ceremony is held . . . . During the Machaila Yatra, devotees gather at the temple to pray to the goddess and seek her blessings.
According to legend, the goddess appeared in the form of Svayambhu (manifested) in a distant realm. The shrine at Machail village has three idols namely Pindi, Mahakali (Mindal), Mahalakshmi (Machail), and Maha Saraswati (Chitto Mata), who are believed to wave their ornaments on their own without any wind or external force Many pilgrims have reported their own luster on the surface of the inner images.
How to Reach Machail Mata Temple?
- Reach Jammu or Srinagar: Your journey to Machail Mata Temple begins with reaching either Jammu or Srinagar, the two major cities of Jammu & Kashmir. You can fly into Jammu Airport or Srinagar International Airport, or you can reach these cities by train or road.
- Travel to Kishtwar: From Jammu or Srinagar, you need to travel to Kishtwar, which serves as a base for the yatra. You can hire a private vehicle or use public transportation to reach Kishtwar.
- Reach Atholi or Gulabgarh: From Kishtwar, you need to proceed to either Atholi or Gulabgarh, the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Atholi is the shorter route, but it’s advisable to check the current conditions before deciding on the route.
- From Gulabgarh, you have to travel 32 km to reach the village where the holy shrine is located. Another quick and easy way to reach Machailmata is by helicopter. There is a helicopter service from Jammu that drops at a distance of 7-8 minutes from the temple.
Best Time to Visit Machail Mata Temple
The Machail Yatra which takes place during the month of August (August 15 & 16) is the best time to visit the Machail Mother Temple. However, devotees can also visit the temple between March and November. The temple is inaccessible during the winter months between December and February.