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Vaishno Devi Yatra |
Katra
Town, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains, 48 kms.
from Jammu, serves as the base camp for visiting the
famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which is
approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid
footpath. The famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is
located in Jammu. Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims
pass through Katra on their way to the holy shrine. The
cave shrine of Mata Vasihnodeviji or Trikuta Bhagwati at
the height of 5,200 feet has been a beacon of faith and
fulfillment to millions of devotees from all over the
world. The pilgrimage to the Shrine holds great
significance for the pilgrims.
Everyday of the year throngs of people surge up the
steep pathways that cut across the Trikuta hillsides for
mile after mile. This show of faith is finely interwoven
with the cultural strands of the Indian subcontinent,
and these pathways have been trod on for many centuries
now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the
Himalayan trail to the goddess abode to ask for a boon
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rarely goes
back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a
forthcoming examination, marriage or birth, the devout look up
to the Mata for blessings and guidance. There are many who
journey year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their
faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion.
Upon reaching Katra, please obtain a Yatra
slip only from the Yatra registration counter at the Tourist
Reception Centre at the Katra bus stand. Without an authentic
Yatra slip, crossing of the Ban Ganga check post is not
permitted. Upon reaching the Bhawan, a group number is
allotted to the pilgrims at the slip (‘parchi’) counter
against the Yatra slip issued at Katra. The Yatris are required
to stand in queue at Gate Number 2 till the announcement of
the group’s number is made to proceed to the sanctum
sanctorum. While inside the cave, one should concentrate on
the Darshan of the mother goddess in her three Pindi forms –
Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi or Maha Vaishnavi and Maha Saraswati.
The holy water coming from the feet of the Mata can be
collected on the way back.
The Legend of Mata Vaishnodeviji
The Yatra to the holy shrine is as fascinating as the legend
associated with it. It goes that thousands of years ago, a
maiden called "Vaishnavi" was created by the three lords
(Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). She attained human form and was a
devotee of Lord Vishnu. Having taken a vow of celibacy, she
spent almost all her life in meditation and prayers. In time
she attained enormous spiritual powers and is believed to have
extracted an assurance from Lord Rama that he will marry her
in Kali-Yug if she persisted in her spiritual quest. This is
why she is also known as Ardh Kanwari or the "eternal virgin".
She established an ashram in the foothills of the Trikuta
Mountain and began to meditate. As predicted by Lord Rama, her
glory started spreading and people began to flock to her
ashram to seek her blessings. As time passed, a Tantrik called
Gorakh Nath (Demo God), who had a vision of the episode
between Lord Rama and Mata Vaishno Devi, became curious and
wanted to know more about her. Accordingly, he sent his most
able disciple `Bhairon Nath' to find out. Bhairon Nath started
observing her secretly and realized that despite being a `Sadhvi',
she always carried bow and arrows and was always surrounded by
langoor (apes) and a ferocious looking lion. Bhairon, the
demon God took a fancy to her. But the Mata spurned his
advances and fled to the Himalayas to continue her spiritual
quest. On the way the goddess felt thirsty at Banganga and
shot an arrow into the earth from where water gushed out.
Charan Paduka, which is marked by the imprints of her feet, is
the place where she rested. |
The
Goddess then meditated in the cave at Ardh Kanwari. It
took Bhairon nine months to locate her, which is why the
cave is known as Garbh Joon. When the demon found her,
Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of
the cave with her trident and fled to the Holy cave at
Darbar (temple). However, Bhairon was persistent and
followed her there to harass her. Then goddess became
very angry and assuming the form of Mata Kali, beheaded
Bhairon outside the cave with the aid of the flying disc
gifted to her by Lord Krishna. The severed head of
Bhairon fell at a distant hilltop. In his dying moments,
Bhairon |
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begged and
received divine forgiveness from the goddess. Today, it is
believed that the Yatra is not complete unless the pilgrim has
been to Bhairon ka Mandir (2.6 km from the main sanctum) as
well, after the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
The goddess herself took up permanent abode
in a cave in the Trikuta Mountains by metamorphosing herself
in to three pindis (Rock). This holy shrine of Mata Vaishno
Devi is unique as it contains the holiest of holy Pindis
manifesting the Mata in her three forms - Maha Kali, Maha
Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati - each form representing a
particular attribute. Maha Kali represents Tamas Guna, Tamas
means darkness. In her manifestation of Kali the omnipotent,
absolute and all pervasive, she is said to be beyond fear and
finite existence and is therefore able to protect her devotees
against fear and give them peace. Maha Lakshmi represents
Rajas Guna, Rajas means prosperity. In this manifestation, the
goddess blesses her devotees with wealth and prosperity for
living a better life. Maha Saraswati represents Sattav Guna,
Sattav means wisdom and knowledge. This manifestation enables
her devotees to distinguish between good and bad and helps
them to adopt the right path in life. The combination of these
three attributes in a single Shakti is a unique combination,
which makes it revered all over the world.
How to reach here from Katra
The distance from Katra town to Vaishno Devi (Durbar) is 13
kms, which has to be traversed by pony, ‘dandi’ or on foot.
‘Pithus’ (coolies) are also available.
What to remember
Obtain a yatra slip only from the yatra registration counter
at the Tourist Reception Centre at the Katra bus stand and
nowhere else. Without an authentic yatra slip, crossing of the
Ban Ganga check post is not permitted. Take official receipts
for all payments made to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board (SMV Shrine Board) as well as those made to private
vendors. Use only the donation boxes provided by the SMV
Shrine Board. In case of donations at the donation counters of
the board at Katra (central office), Ardhkawari, Sanji Chhat
and various points at the Bhawan, obtain a formal receipt for
the same. Donations to the shrine are exempt from income tax
under the Income Tax Act. Avoid over straining yourself on the
climb. Walk on the paved track, instead of the stairs. Do not
relax at points where warning notices are displayed. Do not
break traffic discipline or try to over take others at
difficult stretches. Good accommodation, with bedding
facilities is provided by the SMV Shrine Board on payment.
Facilities for booking of such accommodation on fixed rates
are available at various offices of the Board. To maintain the
sanctity of the place do not indulge in playing cards, smoking
or chewing betel (paan) at Bhawan or enroute. Do not paint,
stick posters or disfigure signboards, and also avoid
littering the area. Fellow pilgrims are bound to you by their
faith in the Mata. Avoid playing transistors or tape recorders
too loudly or creating blockage or hindrances in the passages
meant for circulation of the yatris. Qualified doctors are
available at the Primary Health Centre, Katra and at the
dispensaries at Adhkawari and Bhawan, round the clock. They
are also available at the evening clinic at Katra bus stand.
Medical Aid Centres run by the SMV Shrine Board provide
necessary assistance to the pilgrims at the Katra bus stand,
Banganga and Sanji Chhat.
Where to eat
The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMV Shrine Board) and
various private vendors runs a large number of cafeterias and
viewing points along the trail between Katra and the shrine
where snacks, coffee and cold drinks are provided to the
yatris on a no-profit-no-loss basis. The Shrine Board also
runs ‘bhojanalyas’ at Katra, Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and at the
Bhawan / shrine for providing hygienically prepared food to
the yatris on a no-profit-no-loss basis.
Clothing
Light woolens are required at night even during summer.
During the remaining parts of the year heavy woolens are
required.
How to reach Katra
Jammu, 48 kms from Katra, is the nearest airport, railhead and
inter-state bus terminus. Buses leave for Katra at 10 minute
intervals between 5:30 a.m and 8:30 p.m. During peak season,
additional buses are pressed into service. Taxis are available
both at Jammu and Katra for the journey. In Jammu city, these
can be hired from the Jammu airport, Jammu railway station and
the Tourist Reception Centre. We also conduct tours to Katra
regularly from Delhi and other major cities of India.
Helicopter Service
Pawan Hans operates two flights daily from Jammu and 5 flights
from Katra to Shrine. Its capacity is of 6 persons per flight.
This service has been discontinued for the time being.
Where to Stay in Katra
At Katra accommodation to suite all pockets and preferences is
available in hotels, guest houses, sarais, and hostels. The
SMV Shrine Board provides accommodation and other services
en-route and near the Bhawan. |
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