Omkar Dattatray
A Hindu shrine ,Sarthal Mata is famous for the annual pilgrimage known as Sarthal yatra. The idol, considered as reincarnation of Goddess Durga ,was originally carved from stones by locals during the Raja Agar Dev of Kishtwar and later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1936.Mata Sarthal Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir .It is situated at approximately 6000 feet and usually covered with snow during winters .According to local legend ,Shri Paul who was the first saint from Kishtwar region ,had directed his disciples to worship goddess Durga in the form of Mother with 18 Arms .The legend goes on to say that one of the locals was able to invoke goddess in the form of a young girl who pointed towards the eighteen armed idol of goddess .King Agar Dev of Kishtwar is then believed to send his courtiers to make a temple for the idol at an appropriate place .It is said that the Idol became too heavy to be carried beyond its present abode at Sarthal where a stone temple was constructed .The management of the temple lies with the Dharmarth Trust that takes care of the running of the temple .An inn (Dharamshala) had been constructed next to the temple where pilgrims stay for the night at nominal payment .Annual pilgrimage in the month of July to the temple is an important event in the local calendar when people from nearby villages throng the temple to pay obeisance and seek the blessings from the Goddess .People bring in tridents -trishul to the temple .The temple boasts of trident collection that is hundreds of years old .During the Dogra rule ,this pilgrimage was known as Sarkari Yatra during which there was a 3-day holiday in entire Doda district for celebration of the yatra .It is considered auspicious to have Mundan (first Hair removal of a baby) at the temple .It has a dedicated vehicular road starting from Hasti near Kishtwar that leads upto the base camp .The temple is situated on the top of a hillock ,and has some difficult stairs to be climbed to reach the top .The ancient Asthdash Buja Mata black Idol of Mata Sarthal devi was stolen in 2008 from the temple .However the Idol could not be smuggled out of the area and was recovered and reinstalled at the temple .This incident caused anguish amongst the local populace .Kishtwar district has got the distinction of housing and having the religious places of all communities and one of the most famous shrines is the Sarthal Mata temple frequented by a large number of people especially during Yatra. ”Ashta -Dash -Bhuja Mata an incarnation of Goddess Durga has been the chief Deity of the Hindus of Kishtwar and adjoining areas from ancient time .The holy temple in the present form was got constructed by Maharaja Hari Singh in the year 1936-37 from the proceeds of the timber extracted from Dayalwan and Deviyun -Vun .The sacred temple of Mata is located at Sarthal which is 30Kms from Kishtwar town connected by a vehicular road which takes off from Hasti from the NH-18 ,11 kms ahead of Kishtwar town .The holy shrine is at an altitude of about 6000 feet ,surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges ,lush green fields ,vegetation and charming surroundings .The holy site has a cluster of villages and habitations like Agral ,Sarthal proper ,Lawa ,Karool etc .in the neighborhood having a good population .Thousands of Yatries from different parts of the UT throng the shrine almost throughout the year to pay their obeisance and get the blessings of Mata for their well being and prosperity .Whatever one prays has never found un-rewarded .So the people have an enormous faith in the mother deity .Many people proceed to holy shrine in the form of a big processions like yatra with large number of their kith and kins ,friends and relatives ,chanting and reciting bhajans amidst beating of drums and allied music to offer their prayers to the holy Goddess during the ceremonies of 1st hair cut of their children /babies or for fulfilling their oaths having made earlier to have blessings of Mata .For such occasions ,the yatra or function lasts for 2to 3 days .Sometimes such yatras are in dozens at a time when entire shrine complex gets flooded by Yatries and people ,and there is a great hustle and bustle and hectic activity which thrills one and all .The month of July every year witnesses heavy rush and excitement of yatries ,pilgrims and devotees who come in streams to visit the shrine and to get the blessings ,as it is in this month when Sarthal Devi Management Committee Kishtwar under Dharmarth Trust Jammu organizes a Shoba Yatra with holy Mace on Harshudi Saptami (7TH day of the bright fortnight of Ashaar month) which starts from Shri Gouri Shanker Temple Sarkoot Kishtwar and goes up to holy shrine of Mata Sarthal Devi ji with great pomp and show and religious fervor in the shape of a huge procession chanting religious slogans ,Bhajans and musical arrangements .The Yatra leaves Kishtwar on all types of available vehicles .During Dogra rule this yatra was declared as Sarkari Yatra. .Three days holiday were announced for the entire district of Doda on the religious festival .At the holy shrine of goddess ,Yagya, Pooja and Havans amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras ,Shalokas ,Bhajans is performed on Harshudhi Asthami with other religious ceremonies as per the ritual with Puran Ahaooti on the last day .Also Kirtan and Jagrata is performed at the shrine .Langer is also arranged at the shrine complex .At the holy shrine complex necessary arrangements for made for lodging and boarding of thousands of Yatries in the existing guest house and Dharamshala .But more accommodation for lodging and boarding is required to be made available by the Trust by constructing more huts and rooms ,as the number of Yatries and devotees is on rise day by day and year after year due to Mata’s blessings and growing faith among people .Even Muslim Rajas of Kishtwar used to take the holy mace to Sarthal on the prescribed day with great reverence .The government is required to harness and channelize the pilgrim ,religious and historical spots of the hilly district of Doda and cover these places including the Sarthal Mata shrine on the tourist map of the UT.People of Jammu and Kashmir are required and advised to visit the Sarthal Mata shrine and seek blessings from the Goddess .In short Sarthal Mata Shrine is the shining spot of Hindu-Muslim unity and mutual brotherhood as the people of Muslim faith also pay visit to this Shrine with great reverence.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).