Kishtwar: The revered 43-day long Annual Shree Machail Mata Yatra 2023 culminated in District Kishtwar on Tuesday amid religious ceremonies. An impressive 2 lakh pilgrims visited the sacred Machail Bhawan during the pilgrimage.
The concluding day witnessed the presence of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Inderjeet Singh Parihar; SDM Paddar, Arun Kumar Badyal; DPO, Sunil Bhutyal; Tehsildar, Satish Rana; SDPO Paddar Prehlad Sharma; AO DC Office, Imran Kichloo.
Together, they paid their respect in the Bhawan of Maa Chandi Temple and sought blessings for the peace, prosperity, and development of District Kishtwar.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner engaged with the local community, extending his heartfelt congratulations on the resounding success of this year’s Yatra. He expressed gratitude to the local residents and other stakeholders for their unwavering cooperation throughout the pilgrimage.
He expressed optimism that the annual yatra is on a path to surpass an impressive milestone of 3 lakh next year. In anticipation of this, the administration is actively considering measures to enhance the yatra experience. Plans include extending the yatra season to six months, providing continuous support and improving amenities for the pilgrims. Furthermore, there is a concerted effort to expedite the completion of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road up to Machail. These strategic moves are aimed at not only accommodating the growing number of devotees but also ensuring their safety, comfort and accessibility.
The local populace lauded the efforts of the District and local administration, particularly under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Dr Devansh Yadav, for their meticulous planning and execution, ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the Yatra.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner accompanied by other officials, visited the residence of the head priest of the temple, Shri Des Raj Ji, who passed away recently. They offered condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed soul.
Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner inspected various ongoing developmental and infrastructure projects in the area. He issued necessary directives to the concerned authorities, emphasizing the need for expeditious and high-quality work to enhance the basic facilities in the area. Given its significance for the Yatra, the area requires substantial development and upgradation.
Additionally, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar celebrated Teachers’ Day at Machail, joining teachers and students from the region. He highlighted the importance of the day and encouraged educators to continue their noble mission of spreading knowledge to enlighten society. During the event, a pledge-taking ceremony was held in conjunction with the ongoing Bhrashtachar Mukt Week, reinforcing the commitment to building a corruption-free and transparent society through teaching of noble ideas.
The Annual Shree Machail Mata Yatra’s successful conclusion not only marks a significant religious event but also showcases the dedication and cooperation of the community and administration in promoting a harmonious and prosperous District Kishtwar. The Yatra has become the second most famous religious destination in the Jammu Division.
