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= SHRINE OF MATA BIANA CHOUN =

Introduction.
Shrine of Mata Biana Choun is situated at the height of 8628ft, about one hundred kilometres from district head quarter Udhampur, in tehsil Latti-Marothi, village Pachaund No.1. It is situated on a dome shaped hillock resembling very much with mount Kailash if viewed from a distance. The word " CHOUN " has been derived from a Gaddi or Bharmouri dialect which means cow dung container made up of wooden strips. The shape of the hillock resembles very much with the container inverted upside down.

Just below and to the left side of the hillock where Shrine is situated there is a lush green meadow known as Dhamdiyal adjoined by many beautiful glades and surrounded alpine and deodar trees. On the other side i.e. on south east side is inaccessible sloppy crags. This magnificent hillock is easily accessible only from a pass where the staircase starts for upwards ascendance to the temple, here the Mata Behana Chaun is seated in the form of its tridents magnifying the glory of its sanctum sanctorum.

Near the col there is very ancient high and long wall believed to be built by the Pandavas during their exile. Towards north there is a pond presently filled with mud and soil up to the brim and is known as Bhim Tal after the name of Pandava Hero, Bhim Sen.

Shrine of the Mata Biana Choun remains open throughout the year except for the few months when snow makes the pilgrimage unaccessible that too in the harsh winters. Mata is considered as the custodian of life and property of its devotees, not only from the Udhampur district, but people come from far off places like Kathua, Jammu,  Banni, Bilawar, Doda and Bhaderwah to pay obeisance at the lotus feet of Mataji. It is believed that those whosoever woships the Mata with full devotion, true faith from the core of his or heart. Mata bestows upon them her mercy and wishes are fulfilled. Huge rush of devotees can be witnessed during Navratras, especially on the day of Dussehra. This Shrine of Biana Choun  was first build by Dillu Sujan.

Shrine's Origin.
According to the legends Dillu Sujan was the resident of village Dhaggar District Kathua. He was staunch devotee of Mata Chamunda. He was born in the third generation of Rupa Sujan, the prime initiator and establisher of famous Nauknali Shrine as well as Daulla temple and also the initiator of Bhagti cult among people of hilly area was believed to be the great grand father of Dillu Sujan. He had a large flock of several hundred sheep, goats and horses. During summer season he would take his flock to the high hills of Nauknali area, but before the onset of winter he would migrate to the hot plains of Kathua to save and feed his vast flock. This was his usual annual, regular routine. His route from Dhaggar up to Kathua was fixed and permanent with fixed halting places at various places enroute to Kathua. Halting places were often chosen on the basis of abundance of green grass meadows, fresh spring water and safety from wild animals, one such rout selected by was from Dhaggar to Chochru Galla, then Khaned, Basant garh, PaChaund, Charaka Lerh near Chatnari, Biana Choun was his favourite halting place, where used to spend several days before proceeding to onward migration to Kathua.

As Dillu Sujan was owner of the flock so he had engaged several shepherds for rearing the flock. Another significant quality was that he used to keep a trident symbolising the direct presence of mother Chamunda along with him, while migrating either to the plain in winter or towards the Nooknali during summer season. Wherever he stayed, he used to worship the trident twice a day with great devotion, faith and self surrender.

Once it so happened that when Dillu Sujan set out in his annual migration for Kathua, Suddenly he saw a little girl near his flock, before Dillu Sujan could say something there little girl told that she is from nearby hills and was along with her flock but has forgotten the way and now wanted to accompany him. Reluctantly and after deliberations Dillu agreed thinking someone will definitely come to took her away, with this wrangling in mind he reached Biana Choun, his favourite halting place along with flock and that little girl. It was quite surprising that despite his conveying message to all the surrounding villages through a special messenger, nobody came to take the girl back.

One day when Dillu was enjoying the haltage with his flock at Biana Choun, still there were few days left for him to proceed onward journey, sun was slowly approaching toward western horizon, suddenly dark black clouds started overcastting the blue sky and cool breeze started blowing anticipatingly warning the incoming violent snow storm. Dillu hurryingly and in utter confusion ordered his shepherds to move down ward. By the time they reached at Shiv Galli it was snowing lightly. And in this hast they reached near the Charaka Lerh(Present time). When they were looking just the safe place for the night haltage someone told Dillu, “Where is the little girl.” All the shepherd cried in same tone, “Where is the girl.” Dillu started trembling, crying, “We have left her at Biana Choun. Evening is approaching, it is snowing. She will die! I am responsible for this sin.” Saying this and in the fit of trance he rushed back to Biana Choun, when he reached there it was pitch dark and was snowing. He started calling, Mata, Mata, instead of the little girl. Suddenly a soft voice from the top the hillock responded, “Yes my devotee, i am here, come here.” He saw there, same girl has been transformed itself in a ball of light effulgence was emanating from it and his eyes were dazzled, voice came again. I am Mata. I want to live here, install my trident which you are carrying all the time with you. I shall merge my power in this trident, build a Deri (Temporary Temple), reside near me. I shall work through you this is my promise. Later on Dillu built a simple cottage near the present Naughara and started living there permanently. Mata Biana Choun used to converse with her devotee, Dillu Sujan in dreams, and would tell the solution of every problem found by the devotees. Many legends are associated with the miracles exhibited by Dillu Sujan throughout his life.

Perhaps it was the result of Maa Chamunda Behan Choun’s boon given to Dillu Sujan that in his third generation, Fauza Sujan was born. He was a wealthy person, who purchased whole area right from Shiv Galli to Kirkiri and established his own principality. He remained the head of this principality till his death and built a beautiful palace known as Naughara which means a palace with nine gates. He had also built prison for culprits to punish. Although the palace has completely been ruined but its remnants can be seen scattered all around the Naughara(PaChound) as an evidence. He used to feed sanyasis, Mendicants, Hermits and used to give them alms.

Trust
At present Sh. Kasturi Lal Sujan and Munshi Ram Sujan are the fourteenth generation of Dillu Sujan, who are serving as the priest of the Shrine. Since with the passage of time the old wooden planks used to build Deri of Mata Biana Choun had completely been decayed due to the snow and brisk icy winds,. So during the year 2018 a committee for the development of Mata Biana Choun which suggested that now time has come to construct a magnificent temple over this old wooden structure (Dehri), work was started in the same year. Outer structure is complete and rest of the work is going on. On the suggestion of senior members of the committee it was decided that this committee should be got registered. So, a trust was formed in April 2022 under the chairmanship of Er. Kewal Krishan Sujan and got registered by Sub. Registrar Udhampur. Er. Kewal Krishan Sujan who is the first chairman of the trust also belongs to the Sujan Clan and is the fifteenth generation of Dillu Sujan.