Vaishno Devi
Tucked away in the ranges of Trikuta Mountains in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Vaishno Devi shrine is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi. The shrine is positioned at an elevation of around 5,200 ft above sea level. Travellers and devotees keep flocking to the shrine all the year round to seek the blessings of the goddess. The shrine is actually a cave, measuring 100 ft in length. At the shrine, the goddess is worshipped in different forms. Not only from across India but pilgrims and travelers arrive at Vaishno Devi from all over the world. The shrine lies at a distance of just 61 km from the city of Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir.
Best Time to Visit
Pilgrims continue to make a visit to Vaishno Devi throughout the entire year. However, the shrine remains inaccessible during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
Mythological Background
According to the Hindu mythology that history of the Vaishno Devi shrine dates back over 700 years. Legend has it that Vaishno Devi was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. However, she worshipped Lord Rama, the legendary hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. On learning about this, the demon god Bhairon Nath followed Vaishno Devi. To quench her thirst, Mata Vaishno Devi shot an arrow into the earth to give rise to a fresh stream. Later, she halted and had rest at a place called Charan Paduka. Finally, Mata Vaishno Devi spent her time meditating at the cave in Ardhkanwari. With another cast of magical spell, the Mata created an opening at the cave’s other end.
Places to See
During your pilgrimage tour to Vaishno Devi in Jammu & Kashmir, you can also plan to visit some religious places located close by.
Shiv Khori Cave
A visit to this holy cave can be a part of your excursion tour. The cave is positioned at a distance of 70 km from the town of Katra. The ‘lingam’, the phallic symbol of Shiva, located in the cave measures four feet in height while the cave itself spreads over one kilometer.
Baba Dhansar Temple
Just at 15 km from Katra lies a temple named Baba Dhansar. The temple remains dedicated to Lord Shiva. A big spring, a dense growth of trees and a group of rapids surround the temple, giving it a sanctified look.
Dera Baba Banda
The shrine attracts both Sikh as well as Hindu pilgrims. Dera Baba Banda’s shrine occupies a position at 30 km from Katra town. Banda Bairagi was very dear to Guru Gobind Singh. He is referred to as the ‘saint soldier’ of the Sikh guru.
Reaching the Pilgrimage Site
Travellers and pilgrims first need to reach the town of Katra in Jammu & Kashmir. A 13-km trek from onwards the town takes one to the Vaishno Devi shrine. Hire ponies at Katra to cover the distance. Jammu is both the closest domestic airport and railway station. Frequent express trains link Jammu with cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.
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