Machail yatra: Holy mace leaves Bhaderwah in JK

Amid tight security arrangements, the 'Charri' (holy mace) was today taken out from its abode at Chandi Mata temple here and left for Machail in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The 43-day long Machail yatra commenced on July 25 and so far over 1.20 lakh pilgrims had visited the cave shrineto seek the blessings of goddess 'Chandi' after walking 30-Km arduous track from the Gulabgarh base camp.

Thousands of devotees in 220 vehicles are accompanying the holy mace which will have night halts at Kishtwar, Athooli-Gulabgarh, Massu and Chassoti before arriving at the Machail cave shrine on August 23, the officials said.

Special prayers would be offered to the 'Charri' at the shrine for two days before the return journey on August 25, they said.

The officials said the 'charri' yatra started from the famous Chandi Mata Temple in