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@akash_manhas

@akash_manhas

The ancient Sheetla Mata temple, perched on a hillock called Rehoshra on the eastern side of the Chinta valley, Bhaderwah (dist.Doda, Jammu) , devotees gather here to celebrate 'Ashtami', with religious fervour and gaiety.
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The festival, which marks the beginning of autumn, saw a large number of devotees trekking eight kilometre steep hill to pay obeisance at the 8,000 feet high ancient temple, the doors (kewaar) of which were opened on first Navratra

The place comes alive during Navratras, especially on Ashtami (eighth day of Navratra) as devotees converge at the temple surrounded by snow-peaked mountains to seek the blessings of Sheetla Mata, a local deity.

Located in a mountain pass, 43 kilometres away from Bhadarwah, the temple remains out of bounds for most part of the year for the devotees owing to heavy snowfall during winters. Legend has it that Rehoshra temple is believed to have its origins in Mughal emperor Babar's era.

The 'Ashtami' celebrations start early in the morning with the opening of the 'kewaars'.
"It is the most ancient festival of this area. Devotees from the different parts of the state arrive here with holy mace to have blessings of Sheetla Mata at this 1000-year-old temple,"

The holy mace (Chardhhi) from Chinta, Shourara , Nalthi, Chirala, Sunarthawa, Atalgarh, Rainda and Dalain reach the temple at 12 pm after which people begin celebrating 'Ashtami' with traditional 'Dekhu' dance.
Langar is served to devotees by the volunteers of Chinta village.