              Jammu: Locals demand Shrine Board for Yatra
Aman Zutshi
Jammu: Locals in Kishtwar on Wednesday demanded establishment of a separate Shrine Board for the annual Machail Mata pilgrimage asserting that the Yatra has become so huge that it has become difficult to manage it.
In a press conference with JK media, DDC Paddar Hari Krishan Chouhan along the local people of Kishtwar apprised their demand to the local authorities to  constitute Shrine Board/Local Board for the Machail Mata Yatra as the holy excursion has become big that it cannot be managed solely without any management body.
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“For two years the Yatra was halted due to covid pandemic and people were eagerly waiting to come to this Yatra, which has now become possible by the blessings of Mata Chandi.
“I have never seen such a huge rush of devotees in Machail yatra in my life. I commend the local administration’s aid towards the management of holy pilgrimage.
“But from some days the devotees are facing problems as there is less space remained in tents and our houses to give refugee to the upcoming devotees.
“The annual Machail Mata Yatra has become so huge that it needed a shrine board of its own cause its management has become uncontrollable.
“We demand a Mata Machail Shrine Board so that things become easy for people. The people of Paddar is really so good.
“There are 60-70 houses in Paddar and people arrange food and stay of the devotees in their houses for 3-4 days which is very tough,” said, DDC Paddar Hari Krishan Chouhan.
There are ten thousand Yatris who are coming daily to the attend Machail Mata Yatra and it needed a Shrine Board of its own, the report said.
