Ashok Sharma
The eagerly awaited annual Shri Hudhmata Trisandhya Yatra, is usually organised in the month of Ashad. Alarge number of devotees from Kishtwar and outside converge at Shri Hudhmata and Trisandhaya Mata Shrine located, about 320 Kms from Jammu and 85 Kms from Kishtwar District Headquarter, at an altitude of about 2900 mts, in close vicinity of world famous Brahma Peak in village Anant Nallah of Tehsil Dachhan, District Kishtwar. According to the Shri Hudh Mata Trisandhya Yatra Prabhandak Committee, Dachhan Kishtwar ( Regd) this year, this world famous Yatra will commence on June,20 from Panch Narayan Mandir Dharalan,Kathua. The booking for the Yatra by buses will commence from June 10 to June18,2023 at Sri Ranbireshwar Mandir, Jammu from 5 PM to 8 PM daily. The pilgrims are advised to carry rain coats and warm clothes with them during the Yatra.Shri Hudh Mata Shrine is considered to be the abode of Shiva’s family i.e Lord Shiva, Mata Parvati ( Sati) and Lord Ganesha. In a small cave, there exist three naturally formed Shivlingams like that of Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi District. The entry to the shrine is like that of the original cave of Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Milky coloured water, being produced naturally without any apparent source, falls on the three lingams from the roof of the cave.

JUNE 10- JUNE18

The 9-day annual pilgrimage starts from Dharallan Nagri Kathua with night halts at Jammu, Kishtwar, Sounder, Dilgooth, Gugath and Kaikooth. During the foot journey of about 40 Kms from Dangdhuroo to Hudhmata Bhawan, pilgrims enjoy the breathtaking beauty of fresh water streams, bubbling springs, old temples, natural caves and high virgin mountain peaks. The Holy Mace of the Goddess always remains ahead of the groups of pilgrims, which provides spiritual strength and inspiriation to cover the tough paths.The Yatra to this abode of Divine Mother is the result of the tireless efforts of late Mahatama Dina Nath Teerath Wasi who started the pilgrimage from Geeta Bhawan, Jammu in 1983.The Yatra has been taken out every year since then.
LEGENDS
Many legends are associated with this famous shrine. According to one legend, inTretya Yug, Daksh Prajapati, Father of Mata Sati, arranged a grand Yagya. He invited all Devi- Devtas to participate in the Yagya but didnot invite Lord Shiva (his Son -in -Law) and Mata Sati ( his daughter). When Mata Sati saw all Devi Devtas going to participate in the Yagya, she insisted on Lord Shiva to go there and participate in the Yagya but Lord Shiva refused to participate saying that univited guests are hardly respected. On the contrary, they feel humiliated. Yet Mata Sati decided to go all alone to participate in the Yagya. Lord Shiva, however sent two Sevaks ( Gans) for her safety and security. But to her shock, she was not received with due respect even by her own relatives including her mother and sisters. Feeling deeply humiliated, she became angry and jumped into the Havan Kund and ended her life by burning Herself with Yog Agni. This news enraged Lord Shiva and He beheaded Daksh Prajapati after destroying the venue of Yagya. The Gods and goddesses present in the Havan became terrified and all of them urged Lord Shiva to give life to Daksh Prajapati so that Yagya and Havan could be completed. Lord Shiva acceeded to their prayers and transplanted the head of a He goat on the dead body of Daksh Prajapati who came into life again and completed the Yagya. Thereafter, Lord Shiva carried the burnt body of Mata Sati on his shoulders and started wandering in the universe in a raged mood. All the gods and goddesses became concerned. They urged Lord Vishnu to console Lord Shiva who had lost his Consort. Upon this, Lord Vishnu started using the Sudershan Chakra and cut the burnt dead body into various parts. Wherever these parts fell, these places became Shakti Peeths. At last, Lord Shiva reached this place with some part of dead body and disappeared somewhere in this holy place. With the passage of time, the word ‘Hutt’ (which means ‘ to offer in the shape of Ahuti’ or offerings, changed into ‘Hudh’. Since Mata Sati sacrificed herself for her own honour and respect and for Lord Shiva, she is called ‘Hudh Mata’.
According to another legend, this shrine actually existed at a distance of about one Km away from the present shrine, on the top of a hill. A devotee named Mahanand who lived four Km below the shrine, used to visit the shrine daily to pay obeisance. When he became old, he faced difficulty in reaching the shrine. One day, as he was going to the shrine, he felt so tired that he could not walk further and perform Pooja. He prayed to the Goddess to come down so that he could perform pooja daily. On the next day, as he was on his way to the shrine, he was astonished to see that the Goddess had changed her abode and come down by half a Km in the present shape. Thereafter, he started worshipping the Goddess regularly at the present location. There is a hollow space of almost same geometrical size on the top of the hill from where the Goddess has come down. This hollow space is called ‘ Hudh Kund’. This holy shrine is visited by people of all religions who come here for having their wishes fulfilled. While visiting Hudh Mata Shrine, devotees also visit Hudh Mata Bhawan, Garbh Joon, Shiv Gufa and Hudh Kund.
OTHER PLACES ENROUTE
There are some other places enroute and in the vicinity of this holy shrine, which are worth seeing. There is Shri Ram Mandir at Kaikooth located in the midst of lush green meadow with gentle slopes. This beautiful temple, made of cedar wood dates back to the 17th century under the reign of Raja Maha Singh of Kishtwar state (now Kishtwar District). Trisandhaya Mata is located about three Kms from the holy Hudh Mata. Trisandhya is a stream which flows thrice a day. Unlike other streams, it does not flow regularly but when it flows, there is huge volume of water in it. As it remains dry for most of the time during the day, pilgrims consider it lucky to have a bath in its water. Doodh Ganga is another stream which has its origin in the Brahma Peak. Its water oozes out in the form of a fountain and when it mixes with sand, it looks like boiling milk. That is why it is named as Doodh Ganga. Brahma Parvat is believed to be the abode of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the entire cosmos. This Parvat is still believed to be virgin as no mountaineer has perhaps reached its top. At a distance of about five Kms from Shri Hudh Mata shrine is located Brahmsar (bathing pond of Lord Brahma). This pond is located at the feet of Brahma Parvat and is surrounded by multicoloured flowers.It is believed that unless the pilgrims visit Brahmsar and take a holy bath in it, the’ Hudh Mata Yatra’ remains incomplete and pilgrims can’t have full blessings of Hudh Mata. Then,there are other attractions such as Tunnel Dhonagradh which, it is believed, leads to Ladakh and ‘Bheem ka Jharna’, where it is believed that Pandav Putar Bheem used to take bath during the period of exile. Hand and foot prints of Mata Kunti are also believed to be in existence at Dhonagrad. All the arrangements for free boarding and lodging of the pilgrims are made by the Shri Hudh Mata Trisandhya Yatra Prabhandak Committee, Dachhan with the active cooperation of the local residents. Therefore, people should participate in this religious pilgrimage in large number to have the blessings of Shri Hudh Mata on one hand and explore and enjoy the unparalleled natural beauty, on the other.

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