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Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra

This place is about wish fulfillment. About a cave that lies 61 km North ofJammu, and the faith that surrounds it. People visiting Vaishnodevi undertake atough yatra (pilgrimage) to reach the cave with the shrine of the 'Mata' (mothergoddess) Vaishno Devi. She is represented in the three divine aspects ofgoddess-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 toreach the holy cave.

Miracles are granted to those who are determined enough to make it to thecave. Stories are told of people ascending the innumerable stairs on foot when they have never walked small distancfrom their homes. The most common link is the shout of Jai Mata Di that dissolves in the cold air on the climb up to thcave.

Location:

The cave shrine lies in the Trikuta mountains, 61 kilometres north of Jammu. Situated at a height of 5,200 feet above slevel, this mountain forms the lower ranges of the Himalayas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is 30 m loand 1.7 m in height.

How to ReacAir: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 Service

Jammu to KatBuses leave for Katra every 10 minutes from the main bus stand at Jammu between 5.30 am to 8.30 pm. During ruhour extra buses are pressed into service between Jammu and KatYou can hire private taxis between Jammu and Katra. These can be engaged from Jammu Airport, Jammu Railway Statiand the Tourist Reception Centre in the city.

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The YatA 13 km journey that covers Banganga, the Adhkawari cave, Sanji Chhat, Bhawan, the shrine and the Bhairon tempThe entire route has been widened and tiled recently. It is also well-lit at night with sodium vapour lamps. Other facilitiinclude, rest shelters, cafeterias, drinking water fountains and coolers and a public utility with an automatic flushi

system.The yatra begins at Katra as pilgrims go on foot to reach the darbar (the sanctum sanctorum). A kilometer away froKatra is the Banganga, the place where the Mata is believed to have quenched her thirst (see legends). Six km away

the holy cave at AdhkawaProduce the free yatra slip (collected from the Yatra Registration Counter at the Tourism Reception Centre, Katra BStand) which allows you to cross the Banganga checkpoAfter a six km trek, you reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months. Another 9.5 km takes y

to Sanji Chhat where you can rest for sometime. Accommodation is also available at this place. Bhawan is just 3.5 kaway.On reaching Bhawan, show your Yatra Slip at the Registration Office and take down your batch number. This number important as it will determine your place in the queue for darshan (glimpse of a deity or sainAt Bhawan, you can bathe and change. All leather items and luggage can be booked here in the cloak rooms. Book yovaluables separately. Preserve both the receipts. You can also collect blankets on a refundable deposit of Rs.100 fro

here. Offerings like prasad (food blessed in temple sanctuaries), chunri (veil for the goddess) and coconuts can be boughere.

The Temp

You can queue up for darshan according to your group number at gate number two outside the cave tempYou will not be allowed to carry the coconut into the narrow cave. Deposit it before entering the cave and collect yotoken. In a bid to keep the shrine clean, your blessed coconut can be collected on your way out after darshan. The pras

of sweets can be carried inside. Inside the cave, the goddess exists in her three pindi forms -- Mahakali, Mahalakshmi aMahasaraswati.The water at the feet of the shrine is believed to be hoThe yatra is considered complete after a visit to the shrine of Bhairon on the return journey. Bhairons Shrine is 2.5 kfrom BhawaIt is important to collect your belongings deposited at Bhawan before leaving, as the return path follows a different routThe Bhairon shrine joins the main path at Sanjhi Chhat.

Bhairav TempThe place where compassion triumphed over rage. When Vaishno Devi slew Bhairav, this is where the head landed. It

called Bhairav Ghati. The temple has been constructed at the same spot. The body of Bhairav remained near the cave athe huge stone, outside the cave is a symbol of Bhairav's bodLegend has it that while dying, Bhairav prayed to the mother for mercy. He is believed to have said, Mother, I am nmourning my death as I have died at the hands of mother creator. I only beg your forgiveness. I did not understand yowere a goddess in the form of a human. If you do not forgive my sins, the world may hate mHis boon was granted and today people throng here for darshan.

Your Itinerary for Vaishno Devi(DELHI - JAMMU - VAISHNO DEVI - JAMMU - DELHI (6 Days) )

Day 01:Arrive Delhi and transfer to Hotel Imperial or similar. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi/Jammu/Katra - After breakfast, transfer to airport to connect flight for Jammu. Arrive Jammu atransfer to Hotel Asia Jammu-Tawi to deposit the baggage with hotel security. Even though the holy shrine of VaishDevi is 61 kms from Jammu, the aura and the influence of the Goddess can be seen and felt as soon as one lands Jammu. After lunch and a short break, leave for Katra by car/coach around 1700hrs. Arrive Katra at about 1900hrs abegin the Yatra on foot to the temple of Vaishno Devi (14kms/6hrs).

Day 03: Vaishno Devi/Katra/Jammu - Arrive the temple of Vaishno Devi - world famous holy shrine where yo

prayers are answered - at around 0100 hrs. The legend runs that over seven centuries ago Vaishno Devi was an ardedevotee of Lord Vishnu. Bhairon Nath, a tantric, was bewitched by Vaishno Devi and gave her a chase when she was goitowards Trikuta Mountains. When thirsty, the Goddess shot an arrow into the earth and water gust-out at the place whe

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