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To see and do in Vaishno Devi

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Travel Guide » Asia » India » Vaishno Devi
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Vaishno Devi
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(Jammu & Kashmir)


Jai Mata Di

More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of. And the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi gives credit to this famous line of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poetry. Sheer faith brings in multitudes of people of all ages, races and religions to kowtow before the Goddess, who showers her grace on each of them and grants them their wishes. The pilgrimage requires great fortitude, both physical and mental, as you have to climb mile after mile, uphill, before getting a glimpse of the Goddess. But as they say tough times never last, tough people do and millions of people make this journey successfully, year after year. So can you.
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To See & Do
The pilgrimage from Katra to Bhawan is like a piece of priceless jewellery studded with precious stones. The path to the shrine is peppered with places of spiritual significance and also great beauty.
  • There are two tracks that lead to the holy shrine. The old track, as it is known, follows the ancient path taken by the Goddess herself. It is steep and requires you to make your way up to Sanjichhat (6,200 ft) and then walk downhill till Bhawan (5,200 ft). In 1994, the Shrine Board commenced the construction of a new wider track that would be shorter and have a gentler gradient. The new track commences at the view point of Indrapastha. Both the old and new tracks are equally well-equipped in terms of facilities, but the latter is more convenient and cleaner since pony treks are not allowed on it.
  • Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari are the spots along the route that the Goddess took before reaching the cave. On the way she felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from where water gushed out. Charan Paduka is where she rested, and you can see two footprints imprinted on a rock. The Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adhkwari.
  • The first picturesque spot that you will see is Himkoti, 2.75 km from Adhkwari. It's a lethal combination of snowy peaks and deep serenity.
  • Hathi Matha (forehead of the elephant) is the toughest part of the trek upward that leads up to Sanjichhat.
  • Sanjichhat is 3.25 km from Adhkwari. It is also a beautiful place to rest and appreciate the bounties of nature. Inside the holy shrine.
  • The main shrine is the spot where Vaishno Devi shed her human body before assuming the form of a 5.5-ft tall rock with three heads (called pindis). The pindis represent the three goddesses: Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Maha Saraswati, who together took the form of Vaishno Devi on earth. These pindis are in the sanctum of the holy cave known as the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
  • There are innumerable images and figurines of divine figures inside the cave. It is believed that every one of the 33 crore gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon attend the daily aarti here. Unfortunately, this ritual is not open to the public.
  • Inside the cave, you can one see the Vakra Tund Ganesh close to which are the symbols of Surya and Chandra Dev. Next is the torso of the demon Bhairon Nath. Nearby is the mysterious Charan Ganga, the ever flowing river at the Goddess feet. You can also later see the cave flaring out to almost rest completely on the mighty Shesh Nag. Inside the cave are symbols of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), five Pandavs, the Seven Rishis (Saptarishis), and than (udders or breast) of the divine cow Kamadhenu. On an elevation can be seen the khamba or the pillar that was gripped by Vishnu-devotee Prahlad. A good distance beyond is the Sher Ka Panja, symbolising the lion on which Mata Vaishno Devi Ji rides.
  • Immediately opposite the pindis is the natural symbol of Lord Pashupati Nath. At the end, you glimpse launkra, the symbol of Hanuman.

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Religious Places
 
  • The main shrine is the spot where Vaishno Devi shed her human body before assuming the form of a 5.5-ft tall rock with three heads (called pindis). The pindis represent the three goddesses: Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Maha Saraswati, who together took the form of Vaishno Devi on earth. These pindis are in the sanctum of the holy cave known as the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
  • There are innumerable images and figurines of divine figures inside the cave. It is believed that every one of the 33 crore gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon attend the daily aarti here. Unfortunately, this ritual is not open to the public.
  • Inside the cave, you can one see the Vakra Tund Ganesh close to which are the symbols of Surya and Chandra Dev. Next is the torso of the demon Bhairon Nath. Nearby is the mysterious Charan Ganga, the ever flowing river at the Goddess feet. You can also later see the cave flaring out to almost rest completely on the mighty Shesh Nag. Inside the cave are symbols of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), five Pandavs, the Seven Rishis (Saptarishis), and than (udders or breast) of the divine cow Kamadhenu. On an elevation can be seen the khamba or the pillar that was gripped by Vishnu-devotee Prahlad. A good distance beyond is the Sher Ka Panja, symbolising the lion on which Mata Vaishno Devi Ji rides. Immediately opposite the pindis is the natural symbol of Lord Pashupati Nath. At the end, you glimpse launkra, the symbol of Hanuman.

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Festivals
  Navratri (October) One of the most colourful and significant Hindu festivals, it is celebrated with great fervour in Katra. Organised jointly by the Shrine Board and the Tourism Department, the highlight of the festival is the devotional songs competition. This is also the time that maximum number of people take up the pilgrimage, as it is considered the most auspicious period.
 
 
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