India /Jammu and Kashmir /Udhampur / Vaishno Devi

Vaishnodevi temple in has got international acclaim as a much desired pilgrim centre. Dedicated to Mother Goddess Vaishnodevi, this fabulous shrine allures millions of devotees from all over the world. A deep sense of devotion and faith helps the devotees to mount the tedious journey of 13 kilometers to have a darshan. Believed to be built by the Pandavas, this shrine is one among the oldest of the all shrines in India. At an altitude of 5200 feet, this temple depicts almost all the deities of the Hindu Pantheon. Legends have it that in order to escape from the tantric, Vaishnodevi went to Trikoot and when her meditation was disturbed she killed the tantric. The idol of the main deity is in the form of natural Pindies, representing Goddes Kali, Saraswathi and Lakshmi. These three stone structures symbolize creative, preservative and destructive characters of the mother Goddess. Pilgrims have to get down at Katra, from where the new route to the shrine starts. Some adventurous people opt for the more tedious steeply pathway which is much harder to ascend. It is mandatory that the tourists should register their names and obtain a yatra slip from the registration office. A slip in hand is so obligatory that without it one would not be permitted to cross the Banganga check post. The authorities do not charge any fee for the slip. The tourists are required to mention the number of other tourists traveling along with them. Tourists are also requested to reveal the mode of their journey to the authorities. The experience one get in the darshan is so spectacular that they would even forget all haphazard they have under took during their arduous journey. The feeling is so great that it would fetch the devotee again and again to this holy abode of the mother Goddess. Nothing would defeat the deep belief and fondness of the devotees and the uphill path offers the unusual site of all class of people walking with the same devotion. Another attribute of visiting this sacred place is the trudging like experience, it provides throughout the mounting path. Located in the snow clad mountain ranges, this sacred shrine commands the pictorial beauty of the majestic Himalayas.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Pilgrim

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 182301

STD Code: 1991

Info Website: maavaishnodevi.org

Best Time to Visit:  March – October

HistoryEdit

‘Vaishnavi’ means the one who is related to lord “Vishnu”. Goddess Vaishnavi is the manifestation of the collective spiritual strengths of Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati. It is described in Durga Sapatshati that the Goddess was born as a young girl of extraordinary beauty and strength, out of the collectively pooled ‘Tejas’ of various ‘Devtas’ and three lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar. The immediate purpose of the creation of the Goddess was the annihilation of Asura (Devil) Mahishasura. However another purpose of her creation was that she might usher on earth an era of pious and ascetic life so that the peace could prevail upon the world and she through her penance could rise to higher levels of spirituality and ultimately merge with Vishnu. Mata Vaishno DeviThe ‘Goddess’ having been created by the Devtas and the three lords ordained the human form in the house of one Ratnakar as his daughter whom the family named as Vaishnavi. The girl right from her childhood displayed a hunger for knowledge which was like a vortex and which no amount of teaching and learning could sufficiently satiate. Subsequently, Vaishnavi started looking into her inner self for knowledge and soon learned the art of meditation and realized that meditation and penance only could bring her close to her greater objective. Vaishnavi thus relinquished all household comforts and went deep into the forest for Tapasaya (meditation). Meanwhile, Lord Rama, during his fourteen years of exile happened to visit Vaishnavi who recognized him immediately as no ordinary being but the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and immediately asked him to merge her into himself so that she could become one with the supreme creator. However Lord Rama, knowing that it was not the appropriate time, dissuaded her by saying that he will visit her again after the end of his exile and at that time if she succeeded in recognizing him, he will fulfill her wish. True to his words, Rama visited her again after being victorious in the battle, but this time he did so in the guise of an old man. Unfortunately, Vaishnavi was unable to recognize him this time and was distraught. Upon this, Lord Rama consoled her that the appropriate time for her being one with the creator had not come and he will eventually do so in ‘Kaliyug’ in his incarnation of ‘Kalki’. Rama also directed her to meditate and set up an Ashram at the base of Trikuta hills to elevate her level of spirituality so as to bless the mankind and rid the poor and destitute of their sufferings and only then will ‘Vishnu’ merge her into himself.

Places to VisitAdd

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Nearest airport is Jammu airport, which is at a distance of 50 km from Katra, the motorable place nearby Vaishno Devi. Jammu is well connected with many major airports in the country, including Delhi, Srinagar and Leh. Almost all air service providers operate regular flights from Jammu. Taxi services are available from Jammu to Katra, costing about Rs 1500.

By Train : Nearest railway station is also Jammu. This railway station is connected to all major cities in India including the southern most Trivandrum Railway station.

By BUS : The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation buses operate many buses from Jammu to Katra at regular intervals. Private deluxe bus services are also available from Jammu to Katra, charging about Rs 300. Jammu to Katra, state public buses leave at an interval of 15 minutes.

By Taxi : N.A.

By Other : Mata Vaishno Devi Helicopter services from Katra on the foothills and the flight will drop you at Sanjhichatt. This visit to the sacred Shrine, enveloped by the clouds is the beginning of a breathtaking heli-hop. Vaishno Devi Helicoter Bookings Offers Mata Vaishno Devi Helicopter Tickets & Mata Vaishno Devi Helicopter Packages at reasonable price.Online booking Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking by Vaishno Devi Helicoter

Top HotelsAdd

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• The Vaishnodevi Hotel ; Jammu Road, Katra, Katra 182301, India. ; Ph – 01991 233 301 ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk ,24-hour room service ,Laundry ,Parking ,24-Hour Security ,Game Room ,Doctor on call.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Country Inn & Suites by Carlson ; Jammu Katra Highway, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182301 India. ; Ph – N.A. ; Facilities – Travel Desk ,24-hour front desk ,24-hour room service ,24-Hour Security ,Doctor on call.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Hotel Asia Vaishno Devi ; Katra (J&K) India -182 301. ; Ph – 01991 – 232061 ; Facilities – 24-hour room service ,Laundry ,Parking ,Doctor on call.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Kens Food Planet ;  Kashmir Road, Katra, 182301, India. ; M –  N.A. ; Food Serve :  Indian.

• Prem Lahori Vaishno Dhaba ;  Ban ganga road, Katra, 182301, India. ; M –  N.A. ; Food Serve :  Chinese North Indian Fast Food.

• Punjabi Haveli ;  Katra Jammu Road, Katra, 182301, India. ; M –  N.A. ; Food Serve :  North Indian.

Must Eat FoodAdd

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

• Pilgrimage, Audio cassettes, Cds , Gold and Silver Coins. ; Sovenir Shops ;  Sovenir Shops,Katra. ; Ph/M:  N.A.

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

SpaAdd

FestivalAdd

Navratra Festival ; Venue:  Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. ; Period :  October ; Details:  Navratra Festival is celebrated every year in Katra, the base camp of Sri Mata Vaishno Devi. On this auspicious occasion entire Katra town is decorated tastefully and people from the region participate in large numbers.A view of Mata Vaishno Deviji Bhawan.The Navratra Festival starts with the formal inauguration ceremony. On the first day, after the prayers are offered to Goddess Mata Vaishno Devi, flowers are showered from a helicopter (at times) to mark the beginning of the celebrations. The entire cultural heritage of the region is on display everywhere. One can see the locals dressed up in the traditional attire symbolizing the rich Dogra culture.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Beware of pickpockets as Vaishno Devi is a major tourist city in India.
• Beware of fake items. Better to buy from reputable shops even though you have to pay more.

HelplineEdit

• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 100

ItineraryEdit

N.A.

Gallery