Vaishnodevi
This place is about wish fulfillment. About a cave that lies 61
km North of Jammu, and the faith that surrounds it. People visiting
Vaishnodevi undertake a tough yatra (pilgrimage) to reach the cave
with the shrine of the 'Mata' (mother goddess) Vaishno Devi. She
is represented in the three divine aspects of goddess-hood in Hindu
mythology -- Mahakali (the fierce form of the goddess), Saraswati
(goddess of knowledge) and Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth).
The gruelling yatra to the cave works as a kind of catharsis
for the pilgrim soul. Believers -- and they are not just Hindus
who come here but people of all faiths -- cover a 13 km trek
on foot from Katra at the base of the Trikuta mountains to reach
the holy cave.
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.
Location:
The cave shrine lies in the Trikuta mountains, 61 kilometres north of Jammu. Situated at a height of 5,200 feet above sea level, this mountain forms the lower ranges of the Himalayas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is 30 m long and 1.7 m in height.How to Reach
Air: The nearest airport is at Jammu (48 km from Katra). You can catch daily flights from Delhi and Srinagar.Rail: The nearest railway station is Jammu which directly connects Calcutta, Delhi and Kanyakumari.
Road: Jammu is the terminus of a large number of Inter State Bus Services.
Jammu to Katra
Buses leave for Katra every 10 minutes from the main bus stand
at Jammu between 5.30 am to 8.30 pm. During rush hour extra
buses are pressed into service between Jammu and Katra.
You can hire private taxis between Jammu and Katra. These can
be engaged from Jammu Airport, Jammu Railway Station and the
Tourist Reception Centre in the city.
The Yatra
A 13 km journey that covers Banganga, the Adhkawari cave, Sanji
Chhat, Bhawan, the shrine and the Bhairon temple.
The entire route has been widened and tiled recently. It is
also well-lit at night with sodium vapour lamps. Other facilities
include, rest shelters, cafeterias, drinking water fountains
and coolers and a public utility with an automatic flushing
system.
The yatra begins at Katra as pilgrims go on foot to reach the
darbar (the sanctum sanctorum). A kilometer away from Katra
is the Banganga, the place where the Mata is believed to have
quenched her thirst (see legends). Six km away is the holy cave
at Adhkawari.
Produce the free yatra slip (collected from the Yatra Registration
Counter at the Tourism Reception Centre, Katra Bus Stand) which
allows you to cross the Banganga checkpost.
After a six km trek, you reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where
Mata meditated for nine months. Another 9.5 km takes you to
Sanji Chhat where you can rest for sometime. Accommodation is
also available at this place. Bhawan is just 3.5 km away.
On reaching Bhawan, show your Yatra Slip at the Registration
Office and take down your batch number. This number is important
as it will determine your place in the queue for darshan (glimpse
of a deity or saint).
At Bhawan, you can bathe and change. All leather items and luggage
can be booked here in the cloak rooms. Book your valuables separately.
Preserve both the receipts. You can also collect blankets on
a refundable deposit of Rs.100 from here. Offerings like prasad
(food blessed in temple sanctuaries), chunri (veil for the goddess)
and coconuts can be bought here.
The Temple
You can queue up for darshan according to your group number
at gate number two outside the cave temple.
You will not be allowed to carry the coconut into the narrow
cave. Deposit it before entering the cave and collect your token.
In a bid to keep the shrine clean, your blessed coconut can
be collected on your way out after darshan. The prasad of sweets
can be carried inside. Inside the cave, the goddess exists in
her three pindi forms -- Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.
The water at the feet of the shrine is believed to be holy.
The yatra is considered complete after a visit to the shrine
of Bhairon on the return journey. Bhairons Shrine is 2.5 km.
from Bhawan.
It is important to collect your belongings deposited at Bhawan
before leaving, as the return path follows a different route.
The Bhairon shrine joins the main path at Sanjhi Chhat.
Legend has it that while dying, Bhairav prayed to the mother for mercy. He is believed to have said, Mother, I am not mourning my death as I have died at the hands of mother creator. I only beg your forgiveness. I did not understand you were a goddess in the form of a human. If you do not forgive my sins, the world may hate me.
His boon was granted and today people throng here for darshan.