THE RELIGIOUS TOURIST SPOTS OF SHREE HUDH MATA YATRA
- 1) Shree Hudh Mata
Shree Hudh Mata Shrine is considered to be the abode of Shiv Parivaar i.e. Shiv Ji Maharaj, Mata Parvati (Sati) and Ganesh Ji. There is a small cave in which three natural Shivlingams exist like that of Shiv Khori Shrine in Reasi District. The entry of the cave is like that of oridinal Vaishno Devi Shrine Cave in Katra. Milky coloured water naturally falls on these Shivlingams from the roof of the cave.
Many legends are connected with this Shrine. One is that in Tratya Yug 'Daksh Prajapati', (Father of Mata Sati) arranged a grand Yagya. He invited all Devi-Devtas to participate in the Yagya except Lord Shiva (His Son-in-law)& Mata Sati (His Daughter). On seeing all Devi Devtas going to participate in the Yagya, Mata Sati became anxious and asked Lord Shiva to go there and participate in the Yagya. But, Lord Shiva refused on the pretext that they are not invited and non-invited guests are never entertained and respected. In that eventually they will face humiliation and insult. But Mata Sati insisted that she would certainly go for participation in Yagya even without getting any invitation. Mata Sati left all alone. Lord Shiva feeling adamancy of Mata Sati became helpless. He, however, sent two Sevaks (Gans) for her safety and security. On reaching the venue of Yagya she becme surprised to see that she was not received passionately and respectfully as other guests were. Even her mother and sisters did not bother and entertain her. On feeling humiliated and insulted, she became angry and jumped in the Havan Kund and ended her life by burning herself with Yog Agni. When lord Shiva heard the news, He rushed there in a raged mood along with Sevaks (Shiv Gans) and beheaded Daksh Prajapati after destroying the Yagya venue. The Devi-Devtas present in the Havan became panicy and requested Lord Shiva that due to the killing of Daksh Prajapati the Yagya cannot be completed. Lord Shiva acceded the prayers of Devi Devtas and transplanted the head of He GOat on the dead body of Daksh Prajapati. He came to life again and completed the Yagya. Thereafter, Lord Shiva took the burnt body of Mata Sati on his sholders and started wondering/roaming in the Universe in a raged mood. Devi-Devtas requested Lord Vishnu to console the sad and angry Lord Shiva who had lost his consort. Upon this, Lord Vishnu started cutting the burnt dead body of Mata Sati with his Sudershan Chakra in various parts. Wherever these parts fell, these places become Shakti Peeths.At last, Lord SHiva reached this place with some portion of dead body and disappeared somewhere in this Holy Place. "HUDH" by the passage of time, is the changed to "HUTT" a hindi word which means to offer in the shape of AHUTI, (offerings, to offer completely, essential material for Yagya, to sacrifice one self for good cause). Since Mata Sati sacrificed her self for good cause i.e. for the Honour and respect of herself and Lord Shiva, so she is called Hudh Mata.
Another story revealed to the Shrine of Hudh Mata is that the Shrine where it exists now was not originally at this place but was at a distance of about 1 km away on the top of the hill. Mahanand a devotee used to go there daily for Pooja/Archana from Village Prasan, about 4 km below the Shrine. When he became very old he faced difficulty in reaching the Shrine. One day he travelled some distance and became very tired and helpless to perform the pooja. He prayed to the Goddess to come down so that he may be able to perform the daily rituals/pooja. On the next day when he reached the same place he was astonished to see that the Shrine had slipped down by about half a km in its.
- 2) Shree Ram Mandir Kaikoot
 Kaikoot is a huge green meadow, with gentle slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cow-bells. The meadow is surrounded by perpetual snow capped mountains with heart stealing silver coloured waterfalls. There is a beautiful temple made by Deodar (Cedar) wood. It is believed that the Deodar wood had been brought from "Turin Bham" forest approximately 30 kms away from this site located above villages of Tunder & Prangas. This Mandir is known as Shree Ram Mandir Kaikoot. The construction of the mandir dates back to 17th century A.D. under the reign of Raja Maha Singh of then Kishtwar State (now District Kishtwar).
One more interesting story about this temple is that once there were living two saints. Their main aim was to climb the Holy Brahma Peak. The saints were the staunch devotees of Lord Brahma. Every day they attempted to climb the holy peak but failed to secure their destination in a single day, so they slept in a mid way but next day found themselves on the same place where from they had started climbing. Their attempt continued for long twelve years. One day the Guru saint had gone for usual bath early morning and his Chela (Disciple) was cooking food. Suddenly he saw a snake boiling inside the pot. The disciple didn't disclose this to his Guru. In a routine the Guru Saint came back and divided that food into two equal parts but the Chela (Disciple) refused t take and Saint ate his share also. By that food he got the flying power and flew towards the Brahma Peak which was his main aim. In this way Saint obtained salvation after long twelve years of dedication, devotion and faith.
- 3)Trisandhiya Mata

About three kms away from the Holy Hudh Mata Shrine, There flows Trisandhiya Stream (Nadi) miraculously thrice a day from the top of a hill and stops naturally, which means that it is not a regular flowing stream (Nadi) like other streams (Nadis) and mostly remains dry. When the stream flows the volume of water is so much that a water mill can easily function. There is neither any lake nor any pond on the top of the hill where from the water flows or spills. "Trisandhiya" means three times of worship as per Hindu philosophy i.e. early morning, noon and evening prayer.
The astonishing fact is that water after flowing for 2-3 hours recedes flowing from the bottom of the stream (Nadi) towards upper reach. One can see the water coming from the upper reach but from the bottom/lower side, it starts decreasing. After two-three hours even a single drop of water is not seen in this stream. Usually, Pilgrims feel lucky enough to have a bath in this pious water because at some occasions the water does not flow at all as per its routine. This type of unique darshans has never been heard existing anywhere.
- 4) Doodh Ganga
Doodh-Ganga is another religious stream which originates from the border of the great Brahma Peak. It has inland drainage system.Its water comes out in fountain form, after digging a few inches of the sand. The stream has got its name after the color of the water. Its water looks like milk. The sand mixes with the oozing water of the springs and looks like boiling milk so it is called by the people Doodh-Ganga.
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| Bharma Parvat |
Bharm Sar
- 5) Brahma Parvat & Brahm Sar
 Brahma Parvat is believed to be the abode of Lord Brahma, the creator of entire cosmos. It is believed that the parvat inspite of having less height than Mount Everest, Nanga Parvat, Nanda Devi, K2, Kanchanjunga etc. is still virgin. No mountaineer of te world reached on its top. At a distance of about 5-7 km from Shree Hudh Mata Shrine is Bhramsar (Braham means Lord Brahma & sar means bathing pool), which is believed to be the bathing pond of Lord Brahma Ji. During summer season the pond is surrounded by varieties of natural flowers. Silver coloured water of pond and multi colored flowers around it looks like moon and stars in cerulean sky. After looking it, one feels that God's love for his wonderland is legendary. Pond is located at the feet of great peak of 'Brahma Parvat'. It is believed and said that Lord Brahma use to bath in this magnificent pond. The deep and clear water of the pond reflects the Brahma peak and its surrounding flower gardens. As it is generally seen that all the religious places have got their own background for what these places are famous and in this respect it would be worth to refer the world famous pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno Devi about which it is believed that without having Darshan of "Bhairav Baba" one's Yatra remains inconclusive even though he takes the Darshan of Shri Vaishno Devi. The "Hudh Mata Yatra" as discussed is also incomplete, if one does not visit "Bhram Sar". Brhamsar, as it is believed is the place where people wash away their sins by taking a holy dip in it.
- 6) Tunnel at Dhonagradh
Near village Suid Dachhan is a tunnel called Bhattastal cave which has inscriptions in an ancient language. According to local tales this tunnel leads to Zanskar, Kargil District of J & K. Some local adventurers traveled in the tunnel half a km. local tales also revealed that a dog disappeared near the tunnel and appeared after a period in Ladakh.
If the authenticity of this tunnel is proved by Archaeological Department a lot of tourists shall be attracted.
- 7) Bheem Ka Jharna (Bhumun Chown)
The Pandvas have passed some period of thier exile in this area also and some memorable remains of their works still exists there. It is said that Pandvas prepared rice growing fields with their nails and then removed the earth from them with these stones which are called Daijan in local language a revered name of stones and these are still present at Pandav Daijen Panjdhara Dachhan. Other places like Bheem Ka Jharna (Water fall where Bheem used to bath) and Hand and foot prints of Mata Kunti (Kuntha Matayened Hathen) are also in existance at Dhonagrad Suid.
Beside these places there are some inscriptions on rock in ancient language at Sirchi Janakpur and near this place some Bowlies (Bathing ghats of stone) of olden times were also excavated which can also attract devotees for pilgrimage.
Gautam
Jai Ho Hudh Maiya Ki
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