Jammu, 15 April (H.S.): The Machail Mata Yatra commenced with hundreds of devotees paying their obeisance at the 9,705 feet high shrine in the scenic Paddar valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said.

The pilgrimage to the revered shrine began with the reopening of its doors after winter, as authorities tightened regulations and made prior registration mandatory for devotees before darshan.

Last year, a devastating cloudburst struck Chisoti village — the gateway to the Machail Mata shrine — on August 14, leaving 63 people, mostly devotees, dead, injuring scores of others, and leaving around 30 persons missing.

The floods also washed away a bridge and damaged several other structures, severely disrupting connectivity and leaving the area’s infrastructure in shambles.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner (DC) Ramesh Kumar, Jammu IGP Bhim Sen Tuti, Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and SSP Naresh Singh joined the large number of pilgrims for prayers at the shrine, officials said.

They said the religious event also marked the shifting of the idol of goddess Machail Mata from the house of local priest Pehalwan Singh to the main temple.

After paying obeisance, the DC and the IGP took a comprehensive review of the arrangements put in place for the smooth and safe conduct of the Machail Mata Yatra.

The review included an assessment of security protocols, provision of electricity, water supply, sanitation, langar sewa, accommodation, transportation and healthcare facilities for the devotees, officials said.

The DC issued directions for effective implementation and enforcement of RFID registration, with counters to be established for on-the-spot registration at Gauri Shankar Mandir Sarkoot and base camp Gulabgarh.

He emphasised that no entry shall be permitted without registration. He issued instructions for the strict implementation of sanitation measures, including the deployment of sanitation workers and proper management of plastic waste to make the Yatra 100 per cent plastic-free, officials said.

Further, directions were issued to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity to Machail and adjoining areas.

The DC also directed for adequate water supply and provision of accommodation facilities in educational institutions (schools and colleges) in the event of adverse weather conditions and emergencies along the Yatra route from Gulabgarh to Machail.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar