Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple, India’s most-visited Hindu pilgrimage destination, is located in the Trikuta Hills near Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Hindu pilgrims from all over the visitors come to this well-known devotional place, where the Mother Goddess, Mata Vaishno Devi, is claimed to grant their wishes. This sacred site is known as the most important Shaktipeeth since it is said that the Goddess Sati’s skull fell here.
Vaishno Devi Temple – Full Guide
The goddess is depicted at Mata Vaishno Devi Cave by a five-and-a-half-foot-tall rock with three heads, known as the Pindies. On the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, devotees offer chunri (a red colored drape), sarees, dry fruits, silver or gold jewelry, Cholas, flowers, and other customary offerings to Mata. जय माता दी
History of Vaishno Devi
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was established in 1986, and since then, it has attracted a large number of Hindu devotees to Jammu.
Pandit Sridhar, a Hindu priest, is said to have discovered Mata Vaishno Devi’s holy cave. In the priest’s dream, Goddess Vaishnavi appeared and told him how to locate her temple on the Trikuta Hills. Following her instructions, the priest sets off on his trek after the dream and finds the cave as directed. Mata Vaishno Devi appeared to him and blessed him with four sons. She also awarded him the honor of being the cave’s custodian. Pandit Shridhar’s descendants have kept the promise to this day.
Before visiting Vaishno Devi Mandir, there are a few things you should know.
Photography and videography are not permitted within the temple.
Mythology of Mata Vaishno Devi Temple
Mata Vaishno Devi was born as Vaishnavi and was instructed by the goddesses who created her to stay on Earth and devote her time to achieving a high degree of enlightenment. Lord Rama later told her to build an Ashram at the base of the Trikuta Hills, meditate, and grow spiritually, and she followed his instructions.
When the goddess began to reside in Katra’s Trikuta Hills, Mahayogi Guru Goraksh Nathji dispatched his pupil, Bhairon Nath, to see if the goddess had progressed to the next degree of spirituality. Bhairon Nath, on the other hand, began to lose his sense of purpose as he fell in love with her and began to annoy her to marry him.
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Vaishnavi rushed to the mountains to continue her Tapasya/meditation uninterrupted, but was pursued by Bhairon Nath. The goddess killed him, and as he died, Bhairon Nath realised his mistake and begged forgiveness. Mata Vaishno Devi not only forgave him, but she also awarded a blessing on him. After visiting the goddess, each pilgrim must experience the Darshan of Bhairon, and only then will the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra be complete.
How to Reach Mata Vaishno Devi Temple?
The goddess portrays herself in the natural rock formation (holy pindies) at the sanctum sanctorum of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage site, which is a 13-kilometer hike from Katra town in Jammu Region (cave). Devotees used a tunnel to reach the sanctum sanctorum of this sacred site in Jammu. Due to its narrowness, however, two additional tunnels have been created to aid in the quick passage of pilgrims queuing here.
The nearest train station to the pilgrimage is Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, which is about 20 kilometres away from the Holy Bhawan. Although there are no direct flight connections, the nearest airport is Jammu Tawi, which is 46.7 kilometres from Katra by NH 144. Regular bus services run between Katra and other Indian cities, especially from Jammu Tawi, New Delhi, Amritsar, and other cities in the beginning.
– How to reach Vaishno Devi by flight
The nearest airport to Katra is Jammu Airport, also known as Sarwari Airport. This airport serves Katra with regular aviation services. Once you’ve landed, take a taxi from the airport and you’ll be in Katra in under an hour. This route is also served by buses. Helicopter flights are provided at Katra for the main Bhawan until Sanjhhi Chat, which is around 5 kilometres from the Holy Bhawan.
Nearest Airport: Jammu – 34 kms from Vaishno Devi
– How to reach Vaishno Devi by road
Regular bus services operate to and from Katra, the pilgrimage’s starting point. Buses are available from a variety of locations, including New Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu Tawi, and others. Once you’ve arrived at Jammu Tawi, you can also take a shared taxi or cab.
– How to reach Vaishno Devi by train
The Katra railway station is the closest railway station to Vaishno Devi’s holy caves. Regular rail services run from practically every major Indian city, stopping in Jammu Tawi before. Luxurious lodging is also available close to the train station. The best method to get to Vaishno Devi is to take the Sree Shakti train, which departs from Delhi on Friday evenings and returns on Sunday morning.
– Local transport in Vaishno Devi
The most common means of transportation is taxis. You can either travel 13 kilometres from Katra to reach the Bhawan. Palanquins, ponies, and helicopter flights are among the other alternatives available.
Vaishno Devi Helicopter Yatra
From Katra (the starting spot of the yatra) to Sanjhichatt, a helicopter is provided for the Vaishno Devi yatra. At a time, 5-6 passengers can be seated, and the flight takes around 8 minutes. The Katra helipad is located on Udhampur Road, 2 kilometres from Katra Bus Station.
It takes around 30 minutes to climb 2.5 kilometres from the Sanjhichatt helipad to the Vaishno Devi Bhawan. From Sanjhichatt, ponies, palkis, and porters are available to take you to the Bhawan. The helicopter service is offered through the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s official website as well as private companies.
Vaishno Devi Helicopter Ticket –
The cost of a one-way ticket from Katra to Sanjhichhat or vice versa is INR 1730 per person. The cost of a two-way ticket from Katra to Sanjhichhat is INR 3460 per person. Children under the age of 2 are carried for free and must travel in the lap of an adult.
- The official website allows you to reserve a helicopter for the Vaishno Devi yatra.
- Tickets for helicopters are also available through private websites and tour operators.
- In the event of an age-related dispute, valid ID proof may be requested.
Vaishno Devi Yatra Helicopter Timings
Helicopter services starts at 8:30 a.m., and the journey from Katra to Sanjichhat takes around 8 minutes. The service operates until around 7:00 p.m., with helicopters leaving every 20 minutes or so from both Katra and Sanjichhat.
Darshan Timings: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM; 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Online Booking of Vaishno Devi Helicopter
www.maavaishnodevi.org is the only official website for booking. Advance bookings can be done on the official website, and tickets can be purchased at the Current Heli-Ticket Counter for offline bookings. By registering an account at New Devotee Registration, you can schedule official helicopter services online. The advance booking window opens at 10:00 a.m. 60 days prior to the departure date.
What You Should Know Before Visiting Vaishno Devi
- The distance between Katra and Mata Bhawan is 13 kilometres. Climbing takes 5-8 hours while ascending takes 3-6 hours.
- There are two routes from Katra to Ardhkuwari (mid-point of the trek). The previous path is 5.5 kilometres long. On the way, you’ll pass by the Charan Paduka shrine. The new path is 7.5 kilometres long. Because it is steeper, it is preferable to descend.
- There are two ways from Ardhkuwari to Vaishno Devi Bhawan. One is a 6.5-kilometer hard ascent. The other is 5.5 kilometres long and less steep.
- Katra to Bhawan: Mule: INR 1250 one side/pp, Palki: INR 3150 one side/pp, Pitthoo: INR 540 one side/pp
- Ropeway: INR 100 two way/pp from Bhawan to Bhairon Nath Temple
- Helicopter: INR 1730 from Katra to Sanjichhat (1.5km from Bhawan). Ponies are also available from Helipad to Bhavan.
- Massage chairs available on the entire route. Cost around INR 50 for 15 minutes.
- Toilets available on every 300-400 mts
- Shrine board Yatri Niwas near Katra bus stop ideal for a short stay of few hours
- Shrine board shop near Bhawan is best to buy prasad
- Mobile, wallets, cameras and belts are not allowed inside the Ardhkuwari temple and main bhawan.
- Katra, Ardhkuwari, Sanjichhat, and Bhawan offer both free and paid basic accommodations. Reservations must be made at the Niharika Complex’s Enquiry and Reservation Counter, which is located near the Katra Bus Stand.
Things to Do In Vaishno Devi
- Visit the Ardh Kuwari Cave, which is about halfway to the Bhawan on the old route. This tiny cave is well-known not just for its religious significance, but also as a rest point for yatra travelers. To reach to the other side, where the main temple devoted to the goddesses is located, one must crawl on their knees. Mata Vaishnodevi is said to have took refuge here for 9 months while fleeing Bhairav Nath.
- A bath in the holy water of the bathing ghat is regarded the ideal purification before the holy darshan after you get at the Bhawan.
- Before sunrise and after sunset, visit the Bhawan’s famous aarti. Pujaris do this sacred aarti in front of the holy god before taking it outside for the worshippers. During this period, Darshan is halted. Individual hawan/poojan services are also available at the temple, although slots must be reserved in advance.
- Apart from the darshan of the three Pindies in the holy cave, the original cave contains a number of other holy darshans, including the emblems of Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Bhairon Nath, the five Pandavs, and so on. Only during the lean season, when the ancient cave is used, are these darshans possible. Within the Bhawan complex, you may also visit temples devoted to Mata Durga, Lord Shiv, and Lord Ram.
Places To Visit In Vaishno Devi
- Ardhkuwari – The 52ft Long Cave Known As Garbajoon Cave
- Bhairavnath Temple – Dedicated To Saint Turned Demon, Baba Bhairavnath
- Dera Baba Banda – A 300-Year Old Gurudwara, A Major Pilgrimage Point For Sikhs
- Amarnath – The Immortal Place Where Lord Shiva Revealed The Secret Of Life And Death
- Dastageer Sahab – A 200-Year-Old Shrine
- Raghunath Temple – The Largest Shrine Complex In North India
- Katra- 200 years old cave
- Patnitop- highest gondola ride in India
- Bhaderwah- mini Kashmir
- Kashmir- 240 km from Vaishno Devi.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mata Vaishno Devi Temple
Q. Why Vaishno Devi temple is famous?
Because of its history, the Vaishno Devi temple is incredibly popular. When you witness three stoned shaped bodies of Mata Vaishno Devi in the main Bhavan. Actually, that is Mata Vaishno Devi, who is performing penance in preparation for Kalki’s arrival.
Q. Who built Mata Vaishno Devi Temple?
It used to be merely a cave. Then, in 1846, Maharaja Gulab Singh discovered this cave and donated five lakh rupees to have this temple built.
Q. Where is the Vaishno Devi temple in India?
The Vaishno Devi shrine is located in Jammu’s Katra district. This location’s pin code is 182301. The temple is nestled between the Himalayan mountains.
Q. When is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi?
The greatest time to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine is in the winter. The best time to visit is between the months of October and March.
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