Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Vaishno Devi , Mata Vaishno Devi , Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Vaishno Devi Yatra, Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage, How to reach Vaishno Devi, Vaishno Devi Temple, Vaishno Devi Mandir,


Mata Vaishno Devi 
As the legend goes, more than 700 years ago, Vaishno Devi, a devotes of Lord Vishnu used to pray to Lord Ram  had taken vow of celibacy.BhaironNath , a tantrick (demon-God) tried to behold her and gave a chase. The Goddess felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from where water gushed out. The Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adhkawari. It took Bairon Nath nine month to locate Her, the reason why the cave is known as 'Garbh Joon' Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave with Her Trident when the demon -God  located  Her. On arriving at  the holy cave at Darbar, she assumed  the form  of Maha Kali and cut of Bhairon Nath's head  which was flung up the mountain by the force of blow and fell at the place where the Bhairon Temple is now located . The boulder at the mouth of the holy cave according to the legend is petrified torso of Bhairon nath who was granted divine forgiveness by the benevolent Mata in his dying moments.




THE SHRINE......

Ma Vaishno Devi shrine is  the  most  holy  and  sacred  place nestled  in the mighty Trikuta mountain,61 kms from north of Jammu, at the height of 5200 ft above the sea level, in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India. The Mata Vaishnmo Devi Shrine is one of the most popular shrines of INDIA. 



Appropriate Season  :


The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winter due to snow fall.

How to reach Vaishno Devi :

i) Air Way; Nearest Air-port at Jammu . Daily flights from New Delhi to Srinagar. These flights (IA) connect Chandigarh & Amritsar on some days of the week.

ii) By Rail; Daily trains from New Delhi to Jammu. Besides, it is connected with other major cities of the country.

iii) By Road; Daily Bus service at short intervals from New Delhi to Jammu in the terminus of a large number of Inter State bus services . From Jammu to Katra-48 kms distance is to be covered up by bus and taxi services.

iv) Trekking:


Trekking of 13 kms starts from katra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine . Those who cannot comfortably walk can hire pony or dandi (Palanquin). Pithus can be hired for carrying children & luggage on shoulders. It is advisable to avail the services of only registered people and keep their token for the period they are engaged.
Where to stay:

At Jammu ; yatri Niwas managed by the shrine Board and various private hotels, the room rent ranges from Rs. 300/- to 3000/- per day. At Katra; Yatri Niwas managed by the shrine Board, Rest houses maintained by Jammu & Kashmir Tourist
Department & other hotels.

Vaishno Devi YATRA

The yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 kms on foot to reach the Darbar/Shrine.

Yatris are advised to obtain slip from the Yatra Registration counter at the Tourism Reception Centre, Katra Bus Stand. Without an authentic yatra slip, crossing Banganga check post will not be allowed . the slip is free but necessary to commence the years.

One km away from Katra, Banganga is situate, a place where Mata quenched her thirst. Six kms away from Katra, you will find Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months. Do visit the cave.

After 9.5 kms of trekking , you will reach Sanjhi Chhat where you can rest for some time. Accommodation is available at this place. Bhawan is just 3.5 kms away from here.

The entire 13 kms route is quite clean , wide & tiled. Besides, the whole path is lit up at night by powerful sodium vapour lamps. The yatris are requested to keep the path clean.

Shelter cum sheds & cafeterias are set up enroute and pure vegetarian food is available at these outlets. Drinking water & public utilities with automatic flushing system along the track and at the Bhawan are made available.

On reaching Bhawan, show your yatra slip at the Registration Office and obtain the Batch No. provided on the slip. This number will determine your place in the queue for darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi.

Have a bath and change your cloths.
Buy chuni & prasad.              

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