Hud Mata - Tri Sandhiya Yatra

श्री  हुद माता - त्रि संधीय 

  The world famous Brahama Peaks, talking to sky and standing side by side in the nanth nala region of Dachhan, have a series of sites of pilgrimage under its lap. Beyond the last habitation namely Nanth Nala, 9kms away from village Panjdhara of Dachhan, one finds nature in its fullest bloom. In fact, this area offers a lot of attraction to the trekkers, adventures, pilgrims, sight seer and the film makers. 

The area is quite virgin and so far untouched by the so called bursting civilisation. One is, really, face to face with God in his various manifestations here, be they be Hud-Maata, Tri sandhiya, brahm sar or Brahma peaks. An annual Yatra to 'Hud-Maata' and 'Tri Sandhiya' is held on 'Haar Shudi Ashtmi' (8th day of bright Lunar fortnight of haar) with great fan fare. Initially, only the people of Dachhan would participate in this yatra but now it has gained momentum and people from other areas of Kishtwar district are joining it. The shrine of HUD Maata is an abode of 'Shiv Parivar' just like Shiv khori in the Reasi district.

"Hud-Maata' is the local name of Paarvati Maata derived from sanskrit word Hutti or Ahuti poiniting to Paarvati Maata, who in her previous incarnation, was the daughter of Daksh Prajapati and had resorted to self-immolation in the yagya of her father, after she could not bear the insult inflicted on Lord Shiva by her arrogant father. In the 'Nanth Nala' of Dachhan there is a cave where three naturally formed Ice Lingams of Lord Shiva, Maata Parvaati and their son , Ganesha are a source of attraction to the devotees. From the ceiling of the cave, milky lime water oozes out of a naturally sculptured udder and teats and in the form of droplets falls on the three 'Lingams'. Elderly local people say that previously, there used to be a 'Kund' inside the cave in which darshan of the 'Shiv parivar' or deity as per the wish of the devotee, could be had with the help of the torch light.

Pilgrims of Kishtwar and its adjoining area assemble at Gori Shanker mandir Sarkoot Kishtwar and there from travel on buses upto Patimhala and thenceforth on light-vehicles to Ikhala 40 kms, away from Kishtwar. From Ikhala, they travel on foot to reach Sounder village, which is the base camp of the Yatra; After the nights halt at Sounder, the pilgrims, along with the holy mace of 'Hud-Maata' start their on-ward journey from Radha Krishan Temple Sounder to 'Viraat Maata mandir Dilgoot' travelling a distance of about 6 kms. Peoplle from length and breadth of Dachhan throng to welcome the holy mace and to join the yatra. After the night-halt at Dilgoot, the picturesque journey towards Nanthnalla is started. Travelling a distance of about 20 kms. the pilgrims reach at 'Gugath' the picturesque summer resort of the shepherds of Dachhan for their night halt.

Next morning, the yatra starts for its destination i.e. the shrines of 'Hud-Maata' about 8 kms, away from 'Gugath'.The day is 'Haar Shudi Ashtmi'. On taking a bath at the holy shrine, Pilgrims py obeisance to the Maata, have a darhan of the lingums and partake of 'Prasad and langar' held at the shrine. They, then, proceed to the site of 'Tri-Sandhiya' about 2 kms away to have a bath in  its waters.

TRI SANDHIYA 

Tri Sandhya, a wonderful stream flowing down the slopes of a mountain twice or thrice a day is considered as very scared by the devotees. The main characteristics of this stream is that after flowing for some time from the top of the mountain down the ravine, it gets receding and surprisingly from downwards to upwards and finally disappears leaving no trace of water. Astonishingly, there is neither a lake/pond nor any glacier at the top of the mountain where-from it may originate.

The name 'Tri sandhya' has been attributed to this stream in the belief that three-times a day prayers are performed by this stream to Lord Shiva, Maata Parvaati and Brahma who stand nearby in the form of 'Hud-Maata' and 'Brahma Peaks'. the place is situated quite opposite to Brahma Peaks with river 'Nanthnala' flowing in between.Locally say that in ancient times, Trisandhya would appear three times i.e. morning, noon and evening regularly. They also say that for the good and the noble people, it would appear but for the wicked, it would never come down. This seems to be a superstition. The devotees hold this stream in great reverence and a dip in its waters is considered very auspicious. 

Nearby, is an old historical temple 'Kaikut'. I is a Naga temple, made of deodar wood and stone during the rule of Raja Maha Singh of Kishtwar in the 17th century. Fine carvings on wood and stone sculpture points to the craftmenship of the period in which it was built. The land in terraces near the temple and the stone walls speak that some civilaisation existed there in ancient times. On the foot of the peaks is a small lake called 'Brahmsar' of icy cold, fresh and clean water with sky blue colour. Taking a dip in the waters of this lake is considered as very auspicious. Pilgrims have a faith that by having a dip in this lake, their sina are washed off by the grace of Lord brahma present there in the form of lofty Brahma peaks. The toursits circuit of Kishtwar , Ikhala-Panjdhara-Nauthnala-Tri Sandhiya-Brahmsar if developed can attract thousands of tourists of various tstes. The natural beauty of the area is indeed matchless.