Sukrala Mata Shrine: Mata Mal Rani, the re-incarnation of Mata Sharda
Jammu, June 17: Sukrala Mata is one of the famous shrines of Jammu where thousands of pilgrims have been visiting for a long time but have either been ignored or discriminated by the successive governments in promoting it as major pilgrim tourist places.
Mata Sukrala Devi Shrine, the most famous shrine dedicated to mother goddess is at a distance of 9.60 Kms from Billawar and about 75 Kms from Kathua in Kathua district. The Shrine is located at a height of 3500 ft on a hillock amidst sylvan surroundings. The white line coated imposing edifice of the temple stands erect majestically. The pilgrims have to scale flights of many steps to reach venerated temple. The holy shrine is the abode of goddess Mal Devi, the re-incarnation of Sharda Devi. The goddess has manifested herself here in the shape of a Shilla (Stone Slab) seated on a Brass Lion with a silver mounted head. Behind it is also an image of Mahishasur Murdini (re-incarnation of Maha-Luxmi) standing on the body of Mahishasur, the Demon King. The Goddess is four armed with a sword in one of her hands. Many legends are associated with the Shrine. The Holy Shrine is believed to have been built by Madho Singh and exiled Prince of Chamba (Himachal Pardesh). The Pilgrimage to the Shrine is increasing every year. During the Navratras the Number goes upto over 50 thousand.
While Sukrala Mata evokes a soothing religious feeling it is also a fact that except for those who strongly believe in visiting every place of worship or have the Kuldevi link the authorities have made little effort for its promotion except for smaller arrangements during the regular annual mela.
It was however after a long struggle that the government finally woke up to the reality and constituted a shrine board on the pattern of Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board. The board by the name of Mata Sukrala and Bala Sundri Shrine Board took over the management of the twin shrines on November 11, 2013 to look after the affairs of the shrine but till now it is yet to promote or publicize the shrine on the scale it was expected to do.
However the annual mela which attracts thousands of pilgrims is continuously going on even though the old managers complain that the new shrine board has not been taking much interest in the promotion of the pilgrim tourism of the shrine.
Headed by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, the board comprises Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Additional CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Director Tourism Jammu and SDM Billawar as ex-officio members. Renowned scholar Pawan Shastri, Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Neelam Vaid, Dr Narinder Vaid and Sham Lal Gupta are non-official members of the Board.
The board after taking over had threadbare discussions on the issues related to these two shrines, their management affairs, style of functioning, Master Plan for developing these pilgrim sites, their surroundings, rehabilitation of affected people etc.
Compensation for settlement of Baridars in the shrines was also discussed by Board members who had met the local stake holders soliciting their suggestions and to take them into confidence for management as well as development of the pilgrim sites.
The then Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, had disclosed after taking over the shrine that more facilities to the visiting pilgrims, overall development of the shrines and their security were the priorities of the Board, while the then MoS Cooperatives, Dr Manohar Lal had said that all stakeholders will be taken along and issues of locals would be addressed and their participation ensured for overall development of the shrines, their surroundings, and facilities to the visiting pilgrims.
However till date no satisfactory work has been done by the board and the purpose for which the board was constituted has not been served, says a local resident Shamsher Singh.
Singh believes that there is more politics in the board than actual work adding people were expecting huge influx of pilgrim tourists after the board takes over and publicizes and promotes it on the pattern of Mata Vasihnodevi ji but nothing of that sort has been done.
The locals also hope that since the deputy Chief Minister has won his elections from this area and takes keen interest in developmental activities would infuse fresh life into the board and rejuvenate it so that the shrine and the local people get the desired results.