Vaishno Devi Temple

August 19, 2013 eweekendbreaks 0 travel guide,

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One of the most famous sacred destinations in North India, Vaishno Devi Temple is dedicated to Maa Vaishno Devi, a reincarnation of Goddess Shakti. Situated at a hilly trek from Katra, the shrine is said to be one of the shakti peethas all across the country. Soaked in pure divinity and tranquility, the temple witnesses a large number of devotees everyday and thousands of them during the auspicious month of Navratri.

There is a strong mythological connection to Vaishno Devi temple which goes like this- the goddess Vaishno Devi who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu took to celibacy. She then founded an ashram at the foothills of the famous Trikuta Mountain where she worshipped her idol. It is said that the demon god, Bhairon Nath observed her and started fancying her. The goddess soon realized his intentions and fled to the Himalayas to continue her meditation and worship. She took shelter in the Ardh Kuwari caves but Bhairon Nath located her after a good nine months. Finally, she took the form of Maa Kali and beheaded the demon god. Before his death, Bhairon Nath realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness. The goddess made Trikuta Mountain her permanent abode and since then Vaishno Devi Temple has been a popular shrine for Hindus.

Once you are here, don’t be surprised to see a long queue for the darshan at the temple, so be prepared to wait for long hours before you make your way to seek blessings from the Goddess. The maximum number of visitors is limited to 23000-24000 per day. If there is a large crowd, waiting slips are issued. During peak times, the waiting period can be as long as 12-20 hours though the yatra can be done in a single day.

As you are on your way to the hills for darshan, you will be accompanied by fellow travellers enthusiastically chanting Jai Mata Di. The whole atmosphere is soaked in divinity and you will instantly feel connected to the almighty. Such is the aura of Vaishno Devi Temple. There are three Pindis at the temple which represents three Goddesses- namely Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. Surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque surroundings, the temple calls for some soul searching and divine intervention.

How to reach: It is located 12 km from Katra (walking on the hilly terrain) and the nearest airport is Jammu (50 km from Katra) and the closest railhead is Jammu Tawi. You can take a cab from either airport or railway station to reach Katra and then walk up to the temple. However, Palanquins, Porters and ponies are available.

Where to stay and eat: At Katra, some nice accommodation options are Niharika, Shakti Bhavan, Hotel Asia, Hotel Vaishno Devi and Hotel Subash among others. You will get only veg food in Katra and all along the route.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Vaishno Devi Temple is during the months of March to October, while the temple is open for devotees all throughout the year.