Never trained as...... Page 4 SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2019 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine World Wide Web....Page 2 SHRI AMARNATH JI YATRA Feel the difference this time

Rajan Gandhi Niwas has three storey residential building with 15 halls (including one cloak room) and each hall is capable of accom- With annual Holy Yatra starting on 1st July it's modating 100 pilgrims at a time. Ground floor five halls are time for salvation and nirvana, as whole Jammu non AC whereas number of installed ACs has been raised from existing 28 to 50 in the remaining 10 halls, almost dou- gets into festive mode to greet and serve lakhs of ble for the convenience of yatris. Gender based toilets 22 toi- pilgrims in the City of Temples. Shri Amarnath ji lets (11 male and 11 females) have been totally revamped with cave shrine is considered to be one of the holiest all modern facilities at par with best hotels. Whole kitchen/langar area has been revamped with total granite shrines in Hinduism and is one of highly table top fitting for cleanliness and steel sinks for washing revered religious places throughout South Asia. utensils. This community kitchen area can cater to 200 per- According to Hindu religious beliefs, this is the place sons at any moment of time for meals. Main gate of Yatri where Lord Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to Niwas has also been retouched along with white wash of his divine consort, Mata Parvati. The cave itself is covered whole complex and proper paint. Three Vertical Gardens with snow most of the year except for a short period of time have been put up for better ambience in the complex and the in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Out of all Hindu overall scenic view has dramatically improved along with the deities, Lord Shiva is extremely popular not only amongst best augmentation of round the clock facilities offered. Only Indians but also amongst the people of other nationalities. area of concern right now is laying down of nullah along the To get closer to their revered God, who appears on this earth side of the whole road from fourth bridge to Yatri Niwas caus- in the unique form of an Ice Lingam, millions of devotees ing immense dust pollution and traffic chaos. Also notice- trek through the daunting mountains to Shri Amarnath ji able is cutting down of old big trees to lay this nullah, the Shrine in South Kashmir every year in the summer months permission, if granted; to cut them is really a serious envi- to pay obeisance. The Shrine is managed by Shri Amarnathji ronmental issue. Another area of concern is malba lying Shrine Board (SASB), constituted by an Act of the Jammu along the bank of canal tributary from power house onwards. & Kashmir State Legislature in 2000 with His Excellency the It seems other departments are not in tandem with Tourism Governor of Jammu and Kashmir as its ex-officio Chairman. Department. The Holy Cave itself is at a height of around 13,500 ft with On the special initiatives of Department of Tourism Jam- track to cave passing through highest altitude of 14,500 ft mu an Amusement Park and Tourist facilities are coming up and as such problem of high altitude sickness as well as rain at Bhagwati Nagar itself at an estimated approximate cost of and snowfall make this pilgrimage as one of the toughest 23 crores. The facilities include tourist information centre, among all. There are two routes followed by pilgrim: Phal- Excelsior/Rakesh cafeteria, resting shelter, disaster management building, gam route 32 km track and Baltal route 14 km track. For the gender based toilets, IRCTC counters, ATM, queue complex, convenience of yatris 442 bank branches of PNB, J&K Bank code'' enabled authority slip to pilgrims to keep a track of the fried papad, chowmein, all other fried/ fast food, chips, cold police and paramilitary assistance booths, Open Amphithe- and YES Bank are registering yatris across whole India, pan actual number of people traveling to and from the cave drinks, halwa, jalebi, gulab jamun, laddu, khoya burfi, ras- atre, parking, landscaping and pathways. Also done are riv- 36 states/UT along with registered doctors for medical fit- shrine. For security reasons an enhanced number of upgrad- gulla, all other halwai items, matthi, namkeen mixture, pako- er protection works, food court and solar illumination sys- ness certificate as it is mandatory for yatra. Above 6 week ed electromagnetic chips or RFID (radio-frequency identifi- ra, samosa, fried dry fruits, all other deep fried items and tem to name few. All these tourism related projects become pregnant ladies, children below 13 years and adults over 75 cation) tags will be deployed on vehicles that will transport cold drinks. Yatris are advised to carry woolens, umbrella, more important keeping in view prevailing condition of our years are not permitted for the yatra. For convenience of pilgrims and other civilians associated with the yatra. The raincoat, rain/snow shoes, ID card with mobile number. Pre- NH which is blocked much more time than open. Jammu yatris SASB has also outsourced the accommodation at Nun- Centre has decided to deploy about 40,000 central paramil- ferred dress for trekking is salwar kameez or track suit. Keep- Tourism Department on its behalf has planned hoardings wan Base camp (10 rooms with 80 beds @Rs250/ per bed), itary and state police personnel to secure the 46-day yatra ing in view of environment no use of plastics, nothing to be depicting various tourists' destinations of Jammu along with Sheshnag Camp (7 rooms with 56 beds @ Rs 375/ per bed), that begins on July 1st from the twin routes - traditional offered at Lingam and all yataris are advised to have 4/5 km welcome hoardings for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Moreover, Panjtarni Camp (5 rooms with 40 beds @ Rs 375/ per bed) Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and shortest Baltal track daily morning walk for at least one month prior to yatra and Tourism Department has also undertaken publicity cam- and Baltal Base Camp (60 rooms with 240 beds @ Rs 375/ in Ganderbal district. The yatra slips will be triplicate, one regularly practice pranayams. In the past NGT has already paign of tourist destinations through radio channels pan per bed) in addition to tented and prefabricated accommo- each for the shrine board, pilgrim and for handing over to taken serious view of certain aspects specifically declaring India since June 1st, 2019 along with advertisement in print dation provided by SASB. Yatra is allowed from 5 to 11 from the checking staff on route. There will be access control the area around the Amarnath Shrine cave as "silence zone" media, local as well as national. For information of yatris, Domel to Chandanwadi and BSNL post paid or pre paid of checking gadgets that will be deployed both at the Pahalgam to prevent avalanches, there is prohibition on carrying of reli- information pamphlets with important instructions and JK Circle only work en route. After every two kilometers a and Baltal routes. The barcode will capture all the informa- gious offerings inside the cave to maintain its pristine nature, phone numbers of utility and emergency services have been medical camp is available but yatris are strictly advised not tion of a pilgrim and it can be accessed by a click of the mouse providing a proper path, proper facilities for toilets among printed for distribution. Brochures of various tourist desti- to stay at cave during night as sudden dip in temperature is to track the pilgrim. Keeping in the mind the security chal- several objections. The green panel also took exception to nations with brief write up of tourist places have also been imminent and as such no one is allowed to go beyond Panj- lenges that emerged after the February 14th Pulwama terror non-compliance of the directions issued by the Supreme printed. Also planned are Summer Festival at Panitop, Pad- tarni base camp after 3 pm. Keeping in view the present car- attack, an enhanced number of counter-IED teams have also Court in 2012 and asked the board to fulfill all at the earli- dar Festival at Gulabgarh Gompa, trekking from Gauri Kund rying capacity of the tracks, availability of infrastructure in been deployed that will sweep roads and vehicles against est. to Maudlot, cycle rally from Chenani to Dudu and Machail the Yatra area and all other relevant considerations it has such threats. Keeping in view the changed political equations in the Yatra during Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and of course Gandola been decided that 7500 pilgrims would be allowed to regis- Keeping in view of tough terrain, high altitude, as well as state and thumping return of BJP at Centre again Director ride at Patnitop not to forget. It seems Jammu Tourism is ter for Shri Amarnath Yatra - 2019 per day per route exclud- health of pilgrims SASB has strictly banned in the langars - Tourism Jammu has special focus on the pilgrim tourism well prepared this time to tap religious tourism fervor of ing yatris who would travel by helicopters on either route to poori, bathura, pizza, burgar, stuffed parantha, dosa ,fried this year. Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar has been specially yatris, intent is in right direction and one hopes Jammu gets Panjtarni. Authorities, in fact, have decided to issue a ''bar- roti, bread with butter, cream based foods, pickle, chutney, augmented with state of art facilities this year. In all this Yatri a much required tourism flip this year.

Raghu Nath Thakur Dev Bhumi of village Anant Nallah of newly created tehsil Dachhan, District Kishtwar is very sacred where two famous and Holy Dev sthans known as Shri Hudh Mata and Shri Trisindya Mata, are located Hud Mata pilgrimage at a height of about 8500 feet from the sea level shan and daily puja. Besides, there is Ram Mandir in Kaikoot as per Hindu philosophy i. e. early morning, noon and ing. Pilgrims consider lucky enough to have a bath in this near the famous Brahama Peak. which is about 150 years old and constructed during the evening prayers. " Hudh", is the changed form of Hindi word pious water and feel delighted. After two-three hours even These shrines are situated on the northern side of district reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh. It is said that the deodar tim- "Hutt", which means to offer in the shape of Ahuti (offer- a single drop of water is not seen in the stream. headquarter Kishtwar and western side of high altitudinal ber used in its construction has been brought by the devo- ings); to offer completely essential material for havan; to Due to lack of motorable road connectivity, publicity and Zanskar(Ladakh). These shrines are unique in nature tees on their backs and shoulders from a distance of about sacrifice oneself for good cause . Since Mata Parvati sacri- failure of the successive Government to explore such like reli- because miraculous darshans are witnessed here. One side 30/40 Kms away from the temple namely Turien Bham ficed her self for good cause i. e. for the honour and respect gious places and the tourist sectors of the Jammu Province, of this Brahma Peak is always covered with snow and clouds these shrines do not come to lime light and are unknown to and is considered the abode of Lord Brahama. Besides these the devotees of the state/country. natural gifts, there is Dood Ganga, a spring in which sand mixes with water and looks like milky water, that is why it PROGRAMME OF YATRA called Dood Ganga; and Braham Sar at the foot of Brahama Every year Trishul Yatra starts from Panch Narayan Peak which is surrounded by various types of natural flow- Mandir Dharalan Nagri Kathua on 2nd Tithi of Ashar Shuk- ers and looks very beautiful during Yatra days. It looks as if la Paksh. After night halts at Geeta Bhawan Parade Ground, God Brahama is really living there and bathes in this pious Jammu, Gouri Shanker Mandir Sarkoot Kishtwar, reaches water. To have a bath in this pond is considered auspicious. Radha Krishan Mandir Sounder wherefrom pious Some times at the Sandhaya time (evening prayers), differ- Jhanki/Chhari of Shri Hudh Mata is taken out with religious ent musical sounds of Dhol and Nagaray are also heard if fervour and enthusiasm. On further journey the Yatra along any one gets a chance to stay in the area. On the other side with the pious Jhanki and Trishul halts at Dilgooth, of Brahma Peak, there is also a pond of the same nature where Gowkoot and Kaikooth and reaches Bhawan on Ashtami. On a temple has been recently constructed. Another Yatra Ashtami after Puran Ahuti, the yatris take a pious bath in named Brahma Sarover yatra is taken to this side of the Brah- Trisandhaya Nadi and Braham Sarovar. On Novmi, the ma Peak. Both sides of the Brahma Peak Shine in natural Yatris return to their homes. Any devotee from outside Jam- beauty. Satarcheen meadow on one side and Dhobati, mu intending to perform this Yatra has to reach Jammu on Sonamarg meadows on the other side are worth seeing. 2nd Tithi of Ashar Shukla Paksh (Bright half) wherefrom he Nomad Gujars and Bakarwals rear their cattle in these mead- can join the Yatra. ows during their migration to hilly areas in summer season. This year Trishul Yatra is going to start from Panch Shri Hudh Mata Shrine is considered to be the abode of Narayan Mandir Dharalan Nagri Kathua on 3rd of July, and Shiv Parivar i.e Shiv Ji Maharaj, Mata Parvati (Sati) and after staying in Geeta Bhawan Jammu, Gouri Shanker Ganesh Ji. There is a small cave where three natural Shiv- Mandir Sarkoot, Kishtwar, shall reach Radha Krishan lings exist. Milky water falls naturally on them from the Mandir Sounder on 5th July where from the Jhanki (Chhari) roof of the cave. There is a pond where Darshans of dif- of Mata Rani shall be taken on 6th July, which shall stay at ferent Devi-Devtas are observed differently by the devo- Virat Mandir Dilgooth, Gaikooth and Kaikooth. It will reach tees. There is also the Garb Joon. One can also see a live Bhawan on 9th July. snake in the Bhawan during Yatra days. Pigeons which sym- bolise the presence of Shiv Parvati in the Darbar are also seen Suggestions by the pilgrims. It is said that the Shrine at the present site of Lord Shiva, (her consort) and for her own respect also by If the Government is really sincere and interested in pro- was located at the top of the mountain and a Pujari used to moting the tourist sector in the State especially in Jammu go there for daily worship. Due to age and infirmity, he found HUD MATA YATRA jumping in the Havan Kund, so she is called as Hudh Mata, Ahuti Mata or Sati Mata. province and enlarging the tourist circuit in the District himself unable to reach the shrine. Being helpless, he prayed 3RD JULY TO 9TH JULY Kishtwar, it should accelerate the speed of construction of to the Goddess you are really kind and benevolent and have The pilgrims wait anxiously for hours together on both sides of the stream and pray to the Goddess by singing bha- Dangdhuru Dachhan road which will bring these virgin Shakti, then come down so that I can perform puja/arad- forests in Dachhan which is considered very pious area in shrines on the religious tourist map of the state/country hana in this aged days also.” Next morning when he reached jans/artis and chanting Jaikaras in her praise so that pious whole Dachhan because Turien leaves (a herb) used in Puja water of Trisandhaya Mata (stream) comes down. It is a besides exploring the tourist potentiality of the area for which the present location of the Shrine, he was astonished to see Archana etc. are found in this forest which is situated in worth seeing scene of devotion and faith of devotees towards the State and the Central Governments are striving hard. If that the Shrine along with whole surroundings had come between Tunder and Prangas villages. the Mata when the pious water flows down. The devotees these miraculous shrines come to limelight, there will be down in the same shape as it existed at the top. Mata in the About two-three kms away from the Holy Hudh Mata get enthralled and become jubilant and dance in happiness great rush of tourists including pilgrim tourists to this area. guise of a Kanya (girl) also gave him Darshan and asked him Shrine, is holy the Shrine of Trisindhya Mata, a stream as the Goddess has accepted their prayer. This Darshan and The fate of the poor people will certainly change and decrease to perform puja there. Mata also gave him a trident (Trishul) (Nadi) which sometimes miraculously flows thrice a day bath in the pious water of Trisandhaya Nadi vanishes the the unemployment problem in the area. as a gift for the puja/archana he performed for Her. The from the top of a hill and stops naturally. This is not a fatigue of the pilgrims who have travelled such a long dis- This year with the kind cooperation of Deputy Commis- descendants of the said Pujari have preserved that Trishul regular flowing stream (Nadi) like other streams (Nadi-Nal- tance on foot. After flowing for 1 to 2 hours the water starts sioner, Kishtwar, heli service to these shrines shall operate up till now as a Nishani/Sign of Mata and have kept it in lahs) and mostly remains dry. There is neither any lake nor receding from the bottom of the stream (Nadi) towards from 3rd to 10th July. The contract has been allotted to M/s their house. Last year, the residents of Anant Nalla construct- any pond on the top of the hill where from the water upper reach. One can see the water coming from the upper Aryan Aviation Pvt. Ltd MG Road Gurugram (Haryana) and ed a small temple and kept this pious Trishul in it for Dar- could come out."Trisandhya"means three times of worship reaches but from the bottom / lower side, it starts decreas- Heritage Aviation Pvt. Ltd. Bhikaji Cama Palace New Delhi.