Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine is one of the most popular
pilgrimage in India. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a holy cave
located in the Trikuta hills. It is 13 km from Katra within the Indian union
territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Shree Mata Vaishno Devi is also known
as Mata Rani, Trikuta, Ambe and Vaishnavi. The holy cave attracts millions
of devotees every year. More than one crore devotees visit Vaishno
Devi temple each year. This is due to the faith of devotees on
Mata Rani from all over India and abroad.
Vaishno Devi is said to be Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Krne Wali Mata (mother that fulfill the wishes of her children). The darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji in the holy cave is in the form of three naturally formed rocks known as Pindies. The Pindies manifest the three form of goddess Parvati/Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati.
The temple is nearly a
million years old. The route to the beautiful cave temple is not original
one. The path that led to holy cave is was quite narrow. Only a few
pilgrims can witness the original cave which is usually the case when there
are 10000 or fewer pilgrims. This is typically possible in the month of
December and January. The original cave is the place where the body of
Bairavnath lies after Mata Vaishno Devi beheaded him. Holy river
Ganga is said to flow from the region of the holy cave.
It is belief about Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple that no matter how
much time you try, you will not be able to visit despite of millions of
efforts. You need to get a Bulawa (calling from Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Ji) and only then visit is possible. I personally believe this that I
wanted to go there since my childhood days but this is not possible for many
years. And finally wait is over in the year August 2018.
August is the month of celebrations for us. My husband (Aman), mother in law, brother in law, sister, nephew, and daughter (Anika) birthday comes in August. So, we planned to celebrate our daughter birthday at Bhawan. Our tickets were confirmed on 15th to 19th august. After overnight journey from Ludhiana to Katra by train Hemkunt express (11:15 pm), we reached early morning (around 6:30 am) at Katra(base camp).
Day 1(Katra, Banganga Ghat, Adhkuwari, Himkoti, Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan)
Katra is the base camp for yatra to the holy Shrine of Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. We booked a hotel Bhavini for some rest in Katra. The hotel is nearer to main yatra gate. Katra has all type of vegetarian and dining places. We freshen up and took our breakfast. After being fresh, we packed a small bag to carry for night staying at Bhawan.
Before staring our journey, Aman obtained passenger slip(Yatra Slip) from yatra registration counter (YRC), near bus stand Katra. Passenger slip is mandatory requirement and without this slip pilgrims are not allowed to proceed further. We boarded an auto-rickshaw from hotel to reached the main entrance (first check post) located at Banganga. Our tracking to Bhawan started after checking the yatra slip at first check post.
Banganga
Banganga is located at the foothills of Trikuta from where trekking begins. Banganga is located on the bank of a small river Ban Ganga(Ban means arrow and Ganga stands for scared river ganga) at a height of 2700 Ft. It is believe that Mata Vaishno Devi, while on her way to the holy cave created this river with an arrow, hence the name Banganga. It is also said that Mata Rani taken a dip bath in it and had washed her hair here. Thus some people prefer to call it as Bal Ganga (Bal means hair ). The river associated with the miracle and legend of Mata Rani. There is water in the river all through the year. It is as Hindu tradition, devotees like to bath in it before proceeding further.There are couple of ghat built for this purpose.
We had continued our journey to Banganga Ghat. We crossed a small bridge under which flows river Banganga. We skipped the traditional bath and continued our journey upward to Bhawan. The track was difficult for our daughter Anika. She was tired of climbing. So, we hired pony to Adhkuwari temple.
Adhkuwari
Adhkuwari is the mid-point between this trekking path. After 7 Kms we saw a big building and crowd of people. There was huge rush at Adhkuwari temple. We took coupon for darshan. But at counter we came to know that waiting is going on up to 24 hours. They told us that Your number will be come by tomorrow. You have to go ahead and do darshan here in return. We rested a little after lunch here.
So, we plan to go ahead and start the journey to Bhawan by new track.
Himkoti
Himkoti is situated at a distance of 2.75 kms from Adkuwari on the new track.Himkoti is one of the most beautiful spots on this track with scenic views of the entire valley. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has developed a view point, restaurant and a dosa counter here. Packed and cooked food including meals, hot and cold beverages and other important items including medicare and oxygen cylinders, cassettes are available here. We stayed for a while to see the scenic beauty of Himkoti. Then we started our journey to Bhawan.
Himkoti to Bhawan
The entire trek is much wider than old trek. The road up to Bhawan is neat and clean. Number of toilets, restrooms, cloakrooms, viewpoints have been constructed on the entire path. Medical facility, drinking water point, water-cooler have been constructed on this track. Sufficient number of shelter sheds is also available. Battery vehicles are run on this track. This facility is available at Indraprastha (Adhkuwari) and Manokamna Bhawan for sick, old age and handicap devotee.
Our daughter was very excited. through out the way she asked when we will reach at Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. How far trek was. She was tired of walking. We were telling her that we will reach in a while. We walked ahead for Bhawan
Bhawan
While walking we don’t know when we reached nearer to Bhawan. We saw the first glimpse of Bhawan around 1.5 Kms before we actually reached there. The first sight of the Holy Bhawan brought a energy and all the tiredness of the climb evaporates as if by a magic wave of some mystic wind. The feeling of having almost reached there fills us with devotion.
The Holy Bhawan, is the main centre for the devotees. It is also the key location in the entire Yatra. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has developed many facilities for the convenience of the devotees. These include Cloak Rooms, Medical Dispensary (with a ICU), General Stores, bhait Shops, free & rented accommodation, Toilet Blocks, Bhojanalayas,P Office; Banks, STD/PCO, Announcement Centres, Blanket Stores, police station etc.
Shrine Board has organized free cloak room facilities at many points in the Bhawan complex. In particular, a shoes/bags cloak room has been made just outside Gate No.1 which is the entrance to the queue complex. There was huge rush at clock room. We had deposited all leather, luggage and mobile phones at clock room which are prohibited inside the Holy Cave.
The most important role of yatra slip is at Bhawan, where yatra slip is re-validated and issued a group number. Aman obtained a group number and parsad slip from the yatra counter located at left side of Bhawan. The group number makes the process of darshan easier. you can join the queue only when your group number is announced.
After a group number displayed, we went through Gate No.1 into the queue complex. The queue complex is a long corridor which opens first into two large waiting halls, one after the other and finally opens at the mouth of the Holy Cave. The Shrine Board has installed coloured Television sets all along the queue corridor.These television sets relay a direct telecast of the Holy Cave and the Holy Pindies.
There were hundreds of us in queue. Because they shut the entrance of temple for evening aarti. We were in queue to darshan of Mata Rani more than two hours. Due to of heavy rush, we had to wait inside the railings for some time before the queue ahead gets cleared. After two hour we finally reached at the main temple. The whole area was resonating to the tune of the Jai Mata Di and Bol Sanche Darbar ki Jai. We were inside the cave more than two hours of waiting. We got the privilege of seeing Mata Rani in the form of Pindies. We offered our prayers. On the exit the holy water coming from Mata Rani’s feet can be collected which is coming out of stone elephant mouth. We collecting parsad (mishri with Mata’s Khazana i.e coin ) on our way out. It was very pleasant experience. My wish for years was fulfilled.
After darshan we went to the rest house to book a room. But rest house was already booked. The entire area was crowded with devotees. Devotees were sleeping on the footpath and waiting chairs. We saw an empty space for ourselves. Aman arranged blankets from Shrine Board. We laid one blanket on the floor and another to cover ourselves. We took sweatshirt and shawl for Anika. We were sleeping under the open sky. The sky was cloudy. It seemed like it was going to rain. But it did not rain due to the Mata Rani's grace.
Day 2(Shiv Mandir, Baba Bairavnath, Sanjichat, Adhkuwari)
We did not know when it was morning. The entire area was devotional. Aman take bath in the Ghat with freezing chilled water. It was not possible for me due to have a health issue. So, after requesting at guest house, we fresh there. The washrooms of guest house were neat and clean. There were geysers for hot water in the bathrooms. we had taken breakfast after being fresh.
After that we visit Shiv Mandir nearer to main
Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. This temple is built inside the cave.
It has a small pool with fresh water coming from glacier.
Baba Bairavnath Temple
Our next destination was Baba Bairavnath temple which is perched higher in the mountain. The Bairavnath temple is only 2.5km walk up from main shrine. Anika was too tired so we hired ponies up to Sanjichat. It is believed that a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi is complete only after paying a visit to Bairavnath. We offered our prayer here. After worship at Baba Bairavnath we reached at Sanjichat.
Sanjichat
Sanjichat is another must visit place in Vaishno Devi. The place is located
at a height about 6200 feet above sea level. It is a flat and beautiful
plateau region. It acts as a resting point for pilgrims. The Shrine board
has developed this place beautifully. A new shopping complex and toilet
blocks are constructed here. The main platform was beautified by a fountain
and flood light. The helipad is also located at this place. This helipad has
provided the helicopter service between Katra and Sanjichat. A 24-bed
hospital also constructed to provide medical facility for pilgrims. It is
about 2 Km comfortable track to the Shrine of Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Ji.
We stayed for a while to see the scenic beauty here and have lunch. Then we
started our journey back to down. we walked ahead for our next stop
Adhkuwari.
Adhkuwari
It is belief that Shree Mata vaishno Devi worshiped Lord Shiva in a cave (popularly known as Garbh Joon) for nine months. When Bairavnath discovered her inside the cave, the Goddess made a new opening with her trident and run towards the Bhawan.
The Holy Cave is very narrow, only one-person can pass through it at a time. The entrance is comfortably broad. When we enter further, we start wondering it would possible for us to pass through it or not. A remembrance of Mata Rani in the heart and name on the lips, and crawl by crawl we were out of the cave. We were fully recharged with a divine energy. It is generally belief that by passing through this cave devotee’s sins are cleansed and soul becomes pious again.
We offered our prayer at Adhkuwari temple. After resting for a while, once again we were ready to start our journey downward to Katra. Anika was very tired. So, we hired stroller for her. There were many small shops on the way back to Katra. we captured pictures in Kashmiri traditional dress and do foot message. Finally, we reached at our hotel.
Finally, we reached at our hotel. We rested after being fresh. We were too tired not to know when it was night.We went to the Katra main market for dinner. Finally, we celebrated Anika’s birthday. She was very happy. While shopping we see Shiv Khori Shrine pictures. The shopkeeper told us about this shrine.We decided to visit here in the morning.
Day 3 Shiv Khori ( Click here for more details )
In the morning, we booked a taxi from the hotel and move on to our next destination Shiv Khori. The famous holy cave of Shiv Khori situated at the distance of 80kms from Katra in district Reasi of Jammu and Kashmir. The holy cave shrine is located on a hillock in Ransoo village. Buses and light vehicles travel up to Ransoo which is the base camp. Shiv Khori is surrounded by green luscious mountain. It is at a tracking distance of 3.5kms. we took the ponies up way and have darshan of Shiv Lingam there. We offered our prayer at Shiv Khori Shrine. After darshan we walked ahead up to Ransoo (base camp). We did some shopping here and returned to Katra. At last we reached at our hotel Bhavini.
Day 4(back to Home)
The next day our train back to Ludhiana was scheduled. Finally, we boarded the train around 6:30 am back to Ludhiana.
Travelling tips for pilgrims:
- Yatra slip is compulsory for proceeding for the track. No one is allowed to proceed beyond Banganga check post without obtain the yatra slip. Obtain a yatra slip from yatra registration counter (YRC), near bus stand Katra
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It is advisable to avoid peak season for a comfortable darshan. Waiting time during Navratri’s and holidays seasons can go up to 12 to 24 hours
- In case you wish to avail of the facility of rented accommodation at Katra, Adhkuwari, Sanjichat and Bhawan, you can do room reservation at inquiry and reservation counter at Niharika complex near bus stand Katra.
- Please leave all unnecessary cloth and luggage at Katra. Travel as light as you can. Food, drink and blanket are available at Bhawan.
- Carry heavy woolen for winter and light woolen for summer. comfortable walking shoes are must for the yatra.
- Video camera and other electronic gazettes are not allowed on the track.
- Kindly confirm the rates of the porters, ponies and palanquins before hiring them and ensure that they carry a valid registration card.
- Devotees with high blood pressure, heart or asthmatic problem must seek clearance from their doctor before starting the journey.
- Avoid resting near landslide prone area.
- Chanting of slogan inside the cave is not allowed.
- Darshan of Bairavnath temple are done only after the darshan of holy cave.
- Keep the environment clean. Throw the disposal in the dustbins only.
At last but not least for any other queries you can comment in comment
box or email me at replytosarika@gmail.com
