History:

is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Mata Chandi, located in the Machail Village, Paddy of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple is situated on a hilltop in the mountainous terrain of the Himalayan and is a revered pilgrimage for devotees of Mata Chandi who have been visiting it since ancient times. The annual festival of Machail Mata is celebrated in the run-up to Navratri with a 40-day long Yatra from Kishtwar to Machail. Thousands of devotees from all over India visit the temple every year and participate in the festivities which include pujas, yagnas and rituals. It is one of the best temple in Jammu-and-Kashmir which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Machail Mata Temple is situated in the small village of Machail, in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. 2. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga who is worshiped as Machail Mata. 3. It is believed that the Goddess liberated her devotees from a demon named Chander-Daitya who was sent by the demon king Mahish-Asura. 4. Every year during the month of Sawan, a pilgrimage is held from mid-July to mid-August to Machail Mata Temple. 5. During the two-month pilgrimage, hundreds of thousands of devotees from all across India join the journey, walking for days and covering hundreds of miles. 6. Upon reaching the temple, devotees offer their prayers and perform rituals to seek blessings of the goddess. 7. The unique ritual performed here is during a very important festival known as Chari Mela which takes place during the end of August- beginning of September. 8. During this festival, thousands of devotees take a sacred dip in the river and undertake a holy procession that carries the deity. 9. The Machail Mata Temple is also popular for a variety of local fairs and folk-arts like music and traditional dances that are held during the festival period. Here are some facts about the Jammu-and-Kashmir temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Jammu-and-Kashmir

Worship Method:

The Machail Mata Temple in Jammu-and-Kashmir is a beloved shrine to the Hindu goddess Mata Chandi. Every year in August thousands of devotees make the pilgrimage to the temple, which is located in the Paddar Valley of Kishtwar District. The temple is open to visitors for a two-week period each year, during which time devotees of Mata Chandi come to perform their prayers and rituals. Worship at Machail Mata Temple incorporates traditional forms of devotion, including group prayers, recital of sacred mantras, offering of food and flowers to the goddess, circumambulation of her shrine, and offering of special havans and aarthi. The temple is also the site of a grand celebration on Raksha Bandhan, an important festival in the Hindu dharma. During the festivities, the devotees tie a bracelet on Mata Chandi’s wrist and make offerings of sweets and fruits. Other activities, such as singing, dancing, and storytelling, are also conducted throughout the day. This most visited temple in Jammu-and-Kashmir

Opening Timing:

The Machail Mata Temple in Jammu-and-Kashmir is open for devotees every day between 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. The temple remains closed during noon time. top temples in Jammu-and-Kashmir

How to reach:

Machail Mata Temple can be reached by a number of ways depending on your current location and the resources available. -From Jammu: Jammu is the closest major city to the temple and is relatively well-connected by road and air. The best way to reach from Jammu is by road and the distance is approximately 270 km. The journey takes 6-7 hours and regular bus service is available as well. -For those coming from Delhi, the best way to reach is by taking a train to Jammu Tawi station and then proceeding to Machail Mata Temple via road. The train journey takes approximately 13 hours. -The other way to reach the temple is via air. The nearest airport is in Jammu and you can take a taxi or a bus from there. -You can also explore the options of booking a private car if you want a more comfortable journey. famous temples in Jammu-and-Kashmir