Shri Ram Sena demands cut in Machail yatra helicopter service fare

07 July, 2012

Shri Ram Sena Jammu- Kashmir has demanded cut in fare of helicopter service of Machail yatra - on the pattern of Shri Amanath Ji yatra.

ADDRESSING A press conference here today Shri Ram Sena state president Rajiv Mahajan said that their organisation three months ago had put two demands before the government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for a cut in helicopter fare of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra and Shri Machail yatra, which was unjustified and exhorbitant.

On the plea of Shri Ram Sena, the government conceded only one demand by decreasing the helicopter fare of Shri Amanath Ji yatra, while the the second demand of Mata Machail yatra helicopter fare remained undecided.

Mahajan said, as the Machail yatra is fast approaching but the government has not announced any yatra arrangements till today. He appealed the government to decrease the fare of helicopter service for Machail yatra as has been done in case of Amarnath Ji yatra for the comfort of the pilgrims and announce other arrangements made for the yatra.

Paddar is famously known for the Machail Yatra of Goddess Chandi. Maa chandi resides in the remotest corner of Paddar at an altitude of around 9500ft above sea level. It is a trek distance of around 30 kms on foot from the Gulabgarh Village. This is the last village connected by road. Every year thousands of devotees pay visit to the Holy Shrine with the faith undeterred and to receive the blessings of Mata machail waali.

The Government of J&K via the District administration in Kishtwar provides facilities to pilgrims in terms of clean water, healthcare, security arrangements, rationed items, and transportation, as also the recent chopper service from Kishtwar and Gulab Garh to the Holy Temple Machail. The entire yatra is organized by Sarv Shakti Sevak Sanstha Doda.