STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Machail Yatra, considered as the second largest annual Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir after the Amarnath Yatra, is going to start from 25th July, 2015.
This information was given by General Secretary of the management committee of Machail Yatra Sarv Shakti Sewak Sanstha, Ram Singh Chouhan.
Chouhan said, “A meeting of the governing body was held on 27th May 2015 at the Sarkoot Mandir, Kishtwar. It was headed by Pt Krishan Lal, Co-founder, Machail Yatra Sarva Shakti Sewak Sanstha. A number of issues were discussed, including schedule of the Yatra, Langar arrangements and construction work, in Machail.”
Elaborating the details of developmental work initiated by
management committee for the convenience of the pilgrims during financial year 2013-14 to date, Chouhan said that major works are visible on ground which include construction of Yatri Bhawan at base camp Gulab Garh, in progress though 2nd storey of half of its portion stand raised, raising of Yatri Gram at Gulab Garh to give shed and tenting accommodation to the pilgrims with toilet and bathroom facilities, managing construction of waiting rooms accommodation facilities at the airport Gulab Garh for the pilgrims travelling by air, construction of pilgrims shed enroute Machail at Kundhail and Chishoti, construction of bathing Ghat and resting place for pilgrims at Marhel beyond Hamoori village, selver sheeting decoration of main inner seat of holy Chandi Mata Machail etc.
“Yatris can avail of the helicopter service and Langar facilities from the first day of the pilgrimage,” he added.
He requested Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to ensure that helicopter rates this year should not exceed Rs. 4000 per head from Gulab Garh to Machail and back.
He also stressed upon the administration to ensure protection to the pilgrims from Jammu, enroute all stations up to Holy Shrine Machail so that anti-social or antinational elements do not succeed in their nefarious designs to disturb the successful culmination of the Yatra.
“We hope over lakh yatris will offered prayers at the Machail temple this year,” he said and urged upon the government to form “Chandi Mata Machail Shrine Board” on the analogy of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board so that devotees get adequate facilities and their faith in the service of Holy Mata is not disturbed.
