SARTHAL MATA MANDIR

Sarthal is a small village in district Kishtwar. It is about 17 km away from DHQ Kishtwar. It is connected via a motor-able road.
This village is the adobe of Shri Shiitla Mata in the form of Ashtdashhuja manifestation one form of Mahakali Mahisasurmardini. Mata is the kuldevi of the entire Kishtwar area. This temple has a magnificent divine history. Mata Durga is present in the form of ancient vigrah in this historical temple.

Mata Sarthal Devi Mandir is an important Hindu temple at Sarthal of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) of India. This temple is famous for the annual pilgrimage known as Sarthal Yatra.

Sheetala (Sanskrit: शीतला, IAST: śītalā) lit. '"Coolness"', also spelt as Shitala and Seetla is a Hindu goddess venerated primarily in North India.[2] She is regarded to be an incarnation of the goddess Parvati. She is believed to cure poxes, sores, ghouls, pustules, and diseases, and is most directly linked with the disease smallpox. Sheetala is worshipped on Tuesday[3] Saptami and Ashtami (the seventh and eighth day of a Hindu month), especially after Holi during the month of Chaitra. The celebration of the goddess Sheetala on the seventh and eighth day of the Hindu month is referred to as the Sheetala Saptami and Sheetala Asthami, respectively.[4]

Sarthal Mata Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is dedicated to the goddess Durga and is a popular pilgrimage site. The temple is situated at an altitude of 6,000 feet and is surrounded by hills and forests. The temple is known for its annual pilgrimage, which is known as the Sarthal Yatra. The yatra is held in the month of Ashadh (June-July) and attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country.
The temple is said to have been built in the 15th century by Raja Agar Dev of Kishtwar. The original idol of the goddess was carved from stone and is said to have been brought to the site by a shepherd. The present temple was built in 1936 by Maharaja Hari Singh.
The temple is a simple structure, but it is said to be very powerful. The goddess is believed to grant the wishes of her devotees. The temple is also a popular place for Mundan (the first haircut of a child).
The Sarthal Yatra is a three-day event that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The first day of the yatra is marked by a procession from Kishtwar to the temple. The second day is dedicated to prayers and offerings. The third day is the most important day of the yatra, when the pilgrims bath in the sacred spring near the temple. Sarthal Mata Mandir is a beautiful and peaceful place. It is a great place to visit if you are looking for a spiritual experience. The temple is also a great place to visit if you are interested in Hindu mythology and history.

.Best holy place for everyone. Very pure and clean surroundings.People come to visit this temple from all over the UT JAMMU AND KASHMIR. People believe in Goddess Sarthal Mata

Went to visit this temple 4th time. Its great experiance to seek blessing Mata Sarthal

Very beautiful location and have positive & auspicious vibes, must visit

Jagatjanni jagdamba very famous temple which about 24 km away from Kishtwar this temple is popularly known as sarthal mata Mandir u must visit this temple u will feel the divine power of mata rani jai mata di jai sanatan dharm ki

Nice place devotees visit here every year paying abesense to Mata Sharavali .In the month of August yatra comes from Kishtwar . The managment of mata sharine was not good dirty lanes ,bathroom's etc. Poor facility .
##tourist ##India
##tourist department J&K

Temple of Sarthal Mata is 16 km from Doda - Kishtwar Highway. This is very beautiful place with powerful divine connection. People regularly pay homage to this Shrine all year around.
This temple is managed by Dharmarth Trust, J&K.
People make wishes here and when they get their wishes fulfilled, they sacrifice a Sheep or a Goat to the Mother Goddess.
Cleanliness is an issue here as people are not much aware about it.

Situated at an altitude of approximately 6000 feet it is a well known and famous temple of Kuldevi of Kishtwari people and adjoining areas - Maa Ashtadash bhuja (Mother with eighteen arms) popularly called Sarthal Mata by local devotees. Lodging facility is available at the shrine's inn (dharamshala) at nominal charges. Temple can be reached by road. Keep the place clean. Kindly maintain the sanctity of the place and avoid consuming liquor in the premises.

TempleMata Sarthal Devi Mandir is nestled in Sarthal village of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. Sarthal Mata, a re-incarnation of Devi Durga, is the presiding Goddess of Hindus in Kishtwar and adjoining regions. Sarthal Devi is also known as Athara Bhuja Mata or Goddess with 18 arms among the devotees. Situated at approximately 6000 ft, this beautiful temple is covered with snow during winters. It is a cave temple which houses a single piece black idol of 18 armed goddess Sarthal which was brought from the Kashmir valley in the 14th century.

Ashtdashbhuja Mata (Eighteen armed goddess), an incarnation of Durga has been the chief deity of the Hindus of Kishtwar and its adjoining area from the ancient times. Shri paul, the first saint who settled in Kishtwar, had directed his disciples to worship Durga Mata in the form of Ashtadashbhuja. One of his devout disciples residing at Agral village of Sarthal succeeded in propitiating the goddess who appeared in the form of a pretty girl showing him a place at Kaligarh (Galigarh) where Mata was hidden in the form of an idol. Soon the news was conveyed to Raja Agar Dev of Kishtwar also, a devotee of Mata. He, along his courtiers reached the spot and got back idol of rare black stone dug out and brought it to, Agral where the idol became too heavy to lift. This was an indication that the goddess wanted to make that place her abode. A verse in Kishtwari, coming down to us from our ancestors, testifies the story of the appearance of Mata in eighteen-armed idol form. A stone temple was got constructed at Agral Sarthal and some devotees along with their families settled there and this settlement was named Agral after the name of Raja Agar Dev. The surrounding patch of dense forest was declared as a property of the temple and a decree was issued that revenue from this forest called ‘Deviyun Van’ (Mata’s Forest) will be spent on the maintenance of the temple. With the passage of time, a new grand temple was constructed about 500 meters away from original site and the ‘Sthapana’ of the idol amidst vedic rituals was done by Raja Maha Singh on Bhadarpad Amavasya Tuesday called by locals as “Magha Amas. From the day onwards the devotees of Mata living in Sarthl, Saroor, kantwara and other areas celebrate ‘Magha Amas’ as a festival with great fanfare.

Sarthal Mata mandir is chandi mata mandir .it is situated on hills. Very peaceful and calm place .

Divine place...
Always love to visit.
But management is weak...
The washrooms and toilets are filthy.
People deserve better facilities.

every year sarthal devi ji yatra is celebrated with peace and love btwn Hindus and this is the best thing for pilgrims

Sarthal mata, kul devi of Kishtwari people. And a very good pilgrimage area. Good for hindu pilgrims.

Very nice place with full facilities

Famous temple of Kishtwar, Must visit for blessings of Mata. Jai Mata Di

One of the oldest temple of Maa sarthal wali.must visit ..

This temple is mostly Known for home of mother goddess maa bhagvati Asthadash bhuja mata 🙏🙏🙏🙏