Vaishno Devi Temple Info---Pls Read & Reply

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Shraddha

@tia23

Inactive

Posted: 17 years ago

Hello Everybody,

This is my first topic in this forum. I thought of posting the temple info for u all. Maybe u might be knowing all this but still this info is for people who have not visited or do not know anything abt the temple location. Sorry if posted before.

Pls Read & Reply.

Location: Jammu and Kashmir in North India.
Altitude: 5300 feet.
Best time to Visit: Throughout the Year.
Famous as: Pilgrimage center of Hindus.
Languages : Hindi, English

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Information
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in India. It perched on the Trikuta Mountain at a height of 5, 300 ft. The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi nestles in a cave of Himalayan Mountains in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This cave temple is at a distance of 61 kms from Jammu. The gateway to temple has a stretch of 13 kms that has to be covered on foot by the devotees. The trail turn into a cramped tunnel with a running stream called as 'Baan Ganga.' The pilgrim has to pass through the cave to reach the holy sanatorium.

Thousand of devotees pay their devotions throughout the year irrespective of the difficulties untaken by them especially during the winter's seasons when the detour is generally obstructed by snowfall.

Deity the Godess Vaishno
The house of worship of Vaishno Devi is dedicated to Vaishno, the manifestation of Goddess Sati. The shrine is the abode to deity Vaishno representing in the configuration of a five and half feet tall rock structure and three Pindies or heads. Legend has it that goddess in order to coalesce with Lord Vishnu to accomplish her destiny was born as Vaishno in the house of Ranker.

The Significance of the Temple
The holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Jim is most sacred and divine as it embody the holy Pindies depicting Mata in her three forms:
Mahal Kali represents Tam Gun : Tam stands for gloominess and unhappiness.
Mahal Lakshmi represents Raj Gun : Raj stands for livelihood, prosperousness and happiness.
Mahal Saraswati represents Sat va Gun : Sat va stands for pureness, righteousness and honesty.

A unification of these three temperament form a distinct Sati known as Mata Vaishno Devi Ji that makes her worshiped through out the world.

The Pad Yatra/ Divine Journey
The Pad Yatra commence at Kara is a 13km stretch of hard and rough terrain. The pilgrims generally cover the journey by foot or can go for a pony or a horse ride. Baan ganga is a place where Mata quenched her thirst 1km from Katra and at the distance of 6km lies the holy cave at Adhkumari. Throughout the journey devotees are fed with shelters and bhandaras (eating joints) with pure vegetarian food. A facility of coolers for drinking water is available all over the route.
Blankets can also be obtained on refundable deposit for Rs.100.
The Darshan Prasad, Chunri and Coconuts from the shops located at the entrance of the Bhawan.
The Yatris are issued a token number mentioning the group number and the time for Darshen.

The Aartis
The Aarti ritual of the Goddess Vashnavi is performed twice a day, early morning at sun rise and during evenings at sun set. It usually takes two hours for the Aarti to be completed, during this period the premises are closed for the pilgrims. Only the Pujaris, Sahayaks are permitted in the cave when the Aarti is being performed. Whole shrine echoes with the holy sound of chanting Mantras by the Pujaris accompanied by uttering 108 names of Durga-Ma. Pujaris chant the Pratigyaa Sankalp and they pledge to worship Maha Saraswati, Mata Maha Kali and Maha Lakshmi Vaishno Mata .

Accomodation
At Katra, Yatri Niwas managed by the Shrine Board, Rest Houses maintained by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department are available Adhkumari, Sanjichhat and Darbar. Dharamshala, run by various organisations offer reasonable accommodation to the pilgrims. Free accommodation (sarais) are also available

Mode of Transport
Air: The nearest airport 48km from Katra is in Jammu. Helicopter service can also be obtained from the airport at Sanjhi Chat in Jammu in the morning. The ride costs about Rs. 2,000 one way.

Train: The nearest train station is in Jammu.
Road: There are regular buses leaving for the 52 km trip from the central bus stand in Jammu to where the road ends at Katra (2 hr).

Katra
The gateway to the shrine is situated at 2,800 feet and takes about 2 hours to reach from Jammu by bus. It is 48 km from Jammu, 650 km from Delhi 520 km from Udhampur, 410 km from Chandigarh and 80 km from Patnitop

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Frequent Posters

Shraddha

@tia23

Inactive

Posted: 17 years ago

I wud like to add some more info.

Katra to Bhawan

Darshani Darwaaza
As per the legend, Mata Vaishno Devi met Pandit Shridhar in the form of a girl child at the spot which is today known as the Darshani Darwaza. This spot is also known because Darshani Darwaaza because from here one gets a complete view of Trikuta Mountain.

Holy Track: Old Track
In the earlier days, there used to be an unpaved track and a few flights of stairs that used to lead the way to Bhawan. This track called the old or original track was mostly built on the traditional track of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, which had been used by the pilgrims since hundreds of years. Then, after the takeover of the management of the Holy Shrine by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in 1986.

Holy Track: New or Alternate Track
The old track is steep and narrow at some places. Therefore it was decided to construct an alternate track to Bhawan that would have a gentler gradient and would be wider and shorter.

Baan Ganga
Situated on the bank of a small rivulet called Baan ganga and at a height of 2700 ft., Banganga is the first major station for a yatri when he undertakes his on-foot journey from Katra to Bhawan. As per the legend, the goddess, accompanied by Langoor-Veer was moving to her destined abode in the Trikuta Hills, when Langoor-veer felt thirsty. The goddess shot an arrow into the ground and a spring gushed out.

Charan Paduka
The ancient temple of Charun Paduka, situated at a distance of nearly one Km from Banganga, is also connected to the legend of goddess Vaishno Devi. As per the Legend, the goddess stopped at this place for a while to look back and check whether Bhairon Nath was still chasing her or not. Due to Her standing there for a while, her footprints got engraved there, hence the name.

Adhkumari
The word Adhkumari means Eternal virgin. At this place the Goddess is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva in a cave for 9 months and when Bhairo Nath discovered her inside the cave She made an opening in the cave with her trident and proceeded towards Bhawan. Adkumari also marks the midpoint of the Yatra and most pilgims like to rest here for a while and refresh themselves.

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 breathtaking scenic views of the entire valley. Although there is no traditional or religious significance associated with this point, yet the very nature of this spot and its natural splendour envelops the pilgrims in a ethereal and mysterious charm. 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. There is adequate place to rest and relax and also enjoy the beauty of nature. Himkoti is being developed something more than a view point, with an artificial pond, a garden and a meditation centre.

Sanjhichhat
Sanjhichhat is the highest point for the pilgrims on their trek to the Holy Bhawan. The place is situated at a height of about 6,200 feet above the sea level, and presents a panoramic view of the landscape below. The final destination is about 2 km. away from this point.The Helipad is also located at this point.

Bhairon Ghati
Bhairon temple is the next halt for the pilgrims after visiting the holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. This old temple is significant from the point of view of a holy legend associated with the Shrine. After beheading Bhairon Nath and after his profuse repentance, the Almighty Mother Goddess forgave and blessed him and granted him the boon that the Darshans of his temple would be the final link of Her Great Pilgrimage. Thus, for the full blessings of the journey to Mata Vaisno Deviji, Yatries would have to pay obesiance at Bhairon temple on their return.

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zinny.xo

@zinny.xo

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 17 years ago

Oh my, even I didn't know ALL THAT! Tremendous job Tia.. thanks so much & awesome, awesome topic! 👏

Loved & enjoyed reading it.. very soothing! :)

Hope more topics like these will be up.. =]

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Sattvik

@sattvik

Dazzler

Posted: 17 years ago

Wow, that is a lot of useful information! Thanks for that!

Jai Mata Di!

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Pooja

@pooja12

Inactive

Posted: 17 years ago

Interesting and useful information. Thanks for sharing.

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Shraddha

@tia23

Inactive

Posted: 17 years ago

THIS IS A "MEMBERS ONLY" POST
The Author of this post have chosen to restrict the content of this Post to members only.

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Shraddha

@tia23

Inactive

Posted: 17 years ago

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. Demand to see official rate lists when making payments.

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), Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and various points at the Bhawan and obtain a formal receipt for the same.

Donations to the shrine are exempt from income tax under the Income Tax Act. Do contact the central office of the Shrine Board located at Katra, or the Sub Divisional Magistrate or Tehsildar in Room No. 8, Kalika Bhawan, Durbar, or write to the Chief executive Officer, SMV Shrine Board for any suggestions/complaints.

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 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; open 2 p.m to 8 p.m. Medical Aid Centres run by the SMV Shrine Board provide necessary assistance to the pilgrims at the Katra bus stand, Banganga and Sanji Chhat.

Clothing

Light woollens are required at night even during summer. During the remaining parts of the year heavy woollens are require.