KISHTWAR, July 24: The official start of the Shri Machail Mata Yatra 2026, originally scheduled to run from July 25 to September 8, has been deferred until July 27 due to ongoing severe weather conditions.
District officials confirmed that while the holy shrine doors will reopen on July 25 for local priests to perform initial traditional rituals, general public access is expected to begin on July 28 after a full weather assessment.
The administration will review local conditions closer to the date and resume movement only when the safety of the route is assured.To enhance safety along the journey, local authorities have made online registration and Radio Frequency Identification cards mandatory for all pilgrims, including children.
Movement tracking systems have been installed across the route to manage crowd density and prevent congestion in landslide-prone stretches and steep gorges. Security checkpoints have been instructed not to allow any unregistered traveler past initial security barriers without a valid card.
Registration counters have been set up at Sarkoot and Gulabgarh to handle the expected surge, though visitors are encouraged to register online beforehand.The route from Jammu to Machail Bhawan spans roughly 305 kilometers, with almost the entire distance now motorable except for the final 1.7 kilometer walking path.
Basic amenities, including parking, sanitation, water, and power, have been arranged at the final vehicle stop in Darshini Deodi. Daily pilgrimage hours have been restricted to between 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with an overall cap of 8,000 visitors per day. Security personnel from police, rescue teams, and military forces have been deployed along the route to monitor travel and maintain safety throughout the event.