subject: Vaishno Devi Tours Journey Of A Lifetime [print this page] Vaishno Devi is a popular religious centre and the call of the goddess has turned many non- believers to become staunch believers of the Mata. People coming here as mere tourists leave this place by becoming staunch devotees of her. It's said that no prayers go unanswered here in the shrine of the goddess and it is ultimate destination of the helpless and the disheartened. About 61 km. From Jammu, is the location of Katra from where passes for this yatra can be sought. March to July are the best seasons for this holy pilgrimage. It is very cold in the rest of the seasons. Another pleasant time for the visit is September and October. People prefer these seasons for the pilgrimage. It requires 13.5 km of walking or trekking from Katra to the top of the temple where this cave shrine is situated. It takes about four hours to reach the abode of the goddess. It is situated at a height of 17, 00 km above sea level.Vaishno Devi can be reached by road, rail or air routes. Jammu is the nearest airport as well as the nearest railway station.
Vaishno Devi there is a 120 minutes journey by road to Katra from where the trekking starts. After walking for one hour from Katra, the pilgrims reach Dakshini darwaza. Here is situated the Bhumika temple from where the three peaks of Trikuta mountains (abode of the goddess) is visible. It's believed that the goddess disappeared from here and reached the Ban Ganga temple. It's said that the holy river Ban Ganga sprung from a stone when the goddess shot an arrow on it. She did so because veer langur was thirsty. The goddess washed her hair here so it called Ban Ganga. Pilgrims can also take their bath here to purify themselves. It is here that the slip bought from Katra is shown to move further. This place is around three km. From Katra. About 1.5 km from Ban Ganga, there is a place where the 'holy footprints or charanapaduka' of the goddess is seen on a stone. This place is called charanpaduka.Now comes the half-way point between Katra and the shrine.
Vaishno Devi place is called ardh kuwari and many pilgrims stay here overnight to take the rest. The goddess had hidden herself for about nine months here in cave called garbha joon. It is 15 km long cave and the pilgrims have to crawl inside it to cross it. It is 4.5 km from charanpaduka. After ardh kuwari, the pigrims have to cross very steep paths for about 2.5km. This increasing slope is called the Hathi Mata ascent. This is called as the mountain is shaped like the forehead of an elephant. The footpath is a better option than the stairs here. It takes another 15, 00 ft climb to reach the Sanjhi chatt. From the Sanjhi chatt, the cave is at a distance of four km very close to the Vaishno Devi caves is the Sri Ram temple where the pilgrims climb 125 steps downstairs to pay their homage to a Shiva lingam situated here.Then finally the devotees reach this beautiful cave where the goddess is present in the form of three pindis. 'Maha saraswati, maha laxmi and maha kaali,' are the three forms of the mother durga.
Vaishno Devi here the demon Bhairon was slain by the goddess. After visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, it is the custom of pilgrims to visit the bhairav temple situated about 2.5 km from the main shrine. This is the final destination of the Yatra. It's believed that the goddess fulfils the desires of her devotees who visit this temple after paying homage to her. So the Yatra is a very hard climb for the pilgrims though pleasant. This holy and divine shrine is one of the ancient in India, known by the name of Mata Vaishno Devi, this shrine is situated at a height of 5300 feet on the trikuta hills of the Shivaliks. This is also located 13 kms from the Base camp of Katra.As per the history of this place, Mata Vaishno Devi has spent time here while observing spiritual disciplines. In this cave she got merged with the three Supreme Energies from which she was created. This place is one of the most visited holy places in India and there is a never ending rush of devotees all round the year.
Vaishno Devi can reach till Katra by the use of modes of transport after which the journey is on foots for 13 kms and the final steps are taken by running through a cave with a chilly stream named as Charan Ganga. After all the hardships and pain one then finally reached the cave in which there are natural pindis of the three Supreme powers ie: Maha-Kali, Maha-Lakshmi and Maha-Saraswati. This is an ancient shrine and its reference can also be found in the ancient Vedas.It is also being said about Mata Vaishno Devi that she is the one who fulfills whatever is wished from her and this is one of the reasons why this place attracts lakhs of devotees from all over round the year.Miracles are granted to those who are determined enough to make it to the cave. Stories are told of people ascending the innumerable stairs on foot when they have never walked small distances from their homes. The most common link is the shout of Jai Mata Di that dissolves in the cold air on the climb up to the cave.
