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Overview
of Vaishnodeviji shrine complex
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Katra Town, lying in the
foot of Trikuta Mountains, 48 kms. from Jammu, serves as the base
camp for visiting the famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi,
which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid
footpath. Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass through
Katra on their way to the holy shrine.
The cave shrine of Mata
Vasihnodeviji or Trikuta Bhagwati (alt: 5,200 ft.) has been a
beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions of devotees from all
over the world. The pilgrimage to the Shrine holds great
significance for the pilgrims.
The Legend of Mata
Vaishnodeviji.
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View of
Vaishnodeviji from Bhavan
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Everyday of the year
throngs of people surge up the steep pathways that cut across the
Trikuta hillsides for mile after mile. This show of faith is
finely interwoven with the cultural strands of the Indian
subcontinent, and these pathways have been trod on for many
centuries now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the
Himalayan trail to the goddesses's abode to ask for a boon rarely
goes back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a
forthcoming examination, marriage or birth, the devout look up to
the Mata For blessings and guidance. There are many who journey
year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or
belief, creed or class, caste or religion.
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Night
view of Vaishnodeviji Bhawan
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The Yatra to the holy
shrine is as fascinating as the legend associated with it. It goes
that thousands of years ago, a comely maiden called "Vaishnavi"
have been created by the three lords attained human form and was a
devotee of Lord Vishnu. Having taken a vow of celibacy, she spent
almost all her life in meditation and prayers. In time she
attained enormous spiritual powers and is believed to have
extracted an assurance from Lord Rama that he will marry her in
Kali-Yug if she persisted in her spiritual quest.
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Adh Kanwari at night
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This is why she is also
known as Adh Kanwari or the "eternal virgin".
Mata Vaishno Devi
established an ashram in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountain and
began to meditate. As predicted by Lord Rama, her glory started
spreading and people began to flock to her ashram to seek her
blessings. As time passed, a Tantrik called Gorakh Nath (Demo
God), who had a vision of the episode between Lord Rama and Mata
Vaishno Devi, became curious and wanted to know more about her.
Accordingly, he sent his most able disciple `Bhairon Nath' to find
out. Bhairon Nath started observing her secretly and realized that
despite being a `Sadhvi', she always carried a bow and arrows and
was always surrounded by langoor (apes) and a ferocious looking
lion. Bhairon, the demon God took a fancy to her. But the Mata
spurned his advances and fled to the Himalayas to continue her
spiritual quest.
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Banganga
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On the way the goddess felt
thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from
where water gushed out. Charan Paduka, which is marked by
the imprints of her feet, is the place where she rested.
The Goddess then meditated
in the cave at Adh Kanwari. It took Bhairon nine months to
locate her, which is why the cave is known as Garbh Joon.
When the demon found her,
Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave
with her trident and fled to the Holy cave at Darbar
(temple).
However, Bhairon was
persistent and followed her there to harass her. Then goddess
became very angry and assuming the form of Mata Kali, beheaded
Bhairon outside the cave with the aid of the flying disc gifted to
her by Lord Krishna
The severed head of Bhairon
fell at a distant hilltop. In his dying moments, Bhairon begged
and received divine forgiveness from the goddess. Today, it is
believed that the Yatra is not complete unless the pilgrim has
been to Bhairon ka Mandir (2.6 km from the main sanctum) as
well, after the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
The goddess herself took up
permanent abode in a cave in the Trikuta Mountains by
metamorphosing herself in to three pindis (Rock). This holy
shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is unique as it contains the holiest
of holy Pindis manifesting the Mata in her three forms - Maha
Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati - each form representing a
particular attribute. Maha Kali represents Tamas Guna,
Tamas meaning darkness. In her manifestation of Kali the
omnipotent, absolute and all pervasive, she is said to be beyond
fear and finite existence and is therefore able to protect her
devotees against fear and to give them limitless peace. Maha
Lakshmi represents Rajas Guna, Rajas meaning
prosperity. In this manifestation, the goddess blesses her
devotees with wealth and prosperity for living a better life.
Maha Saraswati represents Sattav Guna, Sattav meaning
wisdom and knowledge. This manifestation enables her devotees to
distinguish between good and bad and helps them to adopt the right
path in life. The combination of these three attributes in a
single Shakti is a unique combination, which is what makes it,
revered all over the world.
What to
remember
- Obtain a yatra slip only
from the yatra registration counter at the Tourist Reception
Centre at the Katra bus stand and nowhere else. Without an
authentic yatra slip, crossing of the Ban Ganga check post is
not permitted.
- Take official receipts
for all payments made to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
(SMV Shrine Board) as well as those made to private vendors.
Demand to see official rate lists when making payments.
- Use only the donation
boxes provided by the SMV Shrine Board. In case of donations at
the donation counters of the board at Katra (central office),
Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and various points at the Bhawan and
obtain a formal receipt for the same.
- Donations to the shrine
are exempt from income tax under the Income Tax Act. Do contact
the central office of the Shrine Board located at Katra, or the
Sub Divisional Magistrate or Tehsildar in Room No. 8, Kalika
Bhawan, Durbar, or write to the Chief executive Officer, SMV
Shrine Board for any suggestions/complaints.
- Avoid over straining
yourself on the climb. Walk on the paved track, instead of the
stairs. Do not relax at points where warning notices are
displayed. Do not break traffic discipline or try to over take
others at difficult stretches.
- Good accommodation, with
bedding facilities is provided by the SMV Shrine Board on
payment. Facilities for booking of such accommodation fixed
rates are available at various offices of the Board.
- To maintain the sanctity
of the place do not indulge in playing cards, smoking or chewing
betel (paan) at Bhawan or enroute. Do not paint, stick posters
or disfigure signboards, and also avoid littering the area.
- Fellow pilgrims are
bound to you by their faith in the Mata. Avoid playing
transistors or tape recorders too loudly or creating blockage or
hindrances in the passages meant for circulation of the yatris.
- Qualified doctors are
available at the Primary Health Centre, Katra and at the
dispensaries at Adhkawari and Bhawan, round the clock. They are
also available at the evening clinic at Katra bus stand; open 2
p.m to 8 p.m. Medical Aid Centres run by the SMV Shrine Board
provide necessary assistance to the pilgrims at the Katra bus
stand, Banganga and Sanji Chhat.
Clothing
Light woollens are required
at night even during summer. During the remaining parts of the
year heavy woollens are require.
How to
reach
Jammu, 48 kms from Katra,
is the nearest airport, railhead and inter-state bus terminus.
Buses leave for Katra at 10 minute intervals between 5:30 a.m and
8:30 p.m. During peak season, additional buses are pressed into
service.
Taxis ar
e
available both at Jammu and Katra for the journey. In Jammu city,
these can be hired from the Jammu airport, Jammu railway station
and the Tourist Reception Centre. A number of travel agencies
conduct tours to Katra regularly from Delhi and other major cities
of India. There are also daily scheduled services to Katra from a
number of cities and towns of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal
Pradesh.
Helicopter Service
Pawan Hans
operates two flights daily from Jammu and 5 flights from Katra to
Shrine.
Capacity: 6 persons per flight. (The
service stands discontinued for the time being)
The distance from Katra
town to Vaishno Devi (Durbar) is 13 kms, which has to be traversed
by pony, ‘dandi’ or on foot. ‘Pithus’ (coolies) are also
available.
The Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine Board (SMV Shrine Board) runs a large number of cafeterias
and viewing points along the trail between Katra and the shrine
where snacks, coffee and cold drinks are provided to the yatris on
a no-profit-no-loss basis. The Shrine Board also runs
‘bhojanalyas’ at Katra, Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and at the Bhawan /
shrine for providing hygienically prepared food to the yatris on a
no-profit-no-loss basis.
Upon reaching the Bhawan, a
group number is allotted to the pilgrims at the slip (‘parchi’)
counter against the yatra slip issued at Katra. The yatri is
required to stand in queue at Gate Number 2 till the announcement
of the group’s number is made to proceed to the sanctum sanctorum.
While inside the cave, one should concentrate on the darshan of
the mother goddess in her three-pindi forms – Maha Kali,
Maha Lakshmi or Maha Vaishnavi and Maha Saraswati.
The holy water coming from the feet of the Mata can be collected
on the way back.
Where to
Stay in Katra
At Katra accommodation to
suite all pockets and preferences is available in hotels, guest
houses, sarais, and hostels. The SMVD Shrine Board provides
accommodation and other services en-route and near the Bhawan. The
J&K TDC also offers furnished
accommodation of various categories in its properties at Katra.
Following is the list of various types of accommodation in the
private sector at Katra: -
Hotels : Katra town
offers hotel accommodation to suite various pockets & preferences
- for detailed list of hotels. Following is the list of hotels in
Katra.
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Hotel Asia Vaishno Devi
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(37 rooms) |
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Hotel Basera |
(19 rooms) |
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Hotel Surya Palace
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(48 rooms) |
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Hotel Atul Regency
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(47 rooms) |
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Hotel Ambica |
(55 rooms) |
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Hotel Asia Shripati
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(50 rooms) |
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Hotel Vivek |
(17 rooms) |
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Hotel Damini |
(20 rooms) |
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Hotel New Natraj
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(20 rooms) |
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Hotel Tridev |
(37 rooms) |
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Hotel Durga |
(37 rooms) |
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Hotel Rama Palace
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(20 rooms) |
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Hotel Subash |
(20 rooms) |
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Hotel Natraj |
(20 rooms) |
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Hotel Kings |
(16 rooms) |
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Hotel Prem |
(15 rooms) |
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Hotel New Subash
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(70 rooms) |
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Hotel Vasu |
(9 rooms) |
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Hotel Trikuta |
(24 rooms) |
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Hotel Shivalik
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(28 rooms) |
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Hotel Bandu Palace
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(30 rooms) |
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Hotel Malti Palace
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(24 rooms) |
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Hotel Akash Ganga
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(23 rooms) |
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Hotel Sunrise |
(42 rooms) |
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Hotel Mahindra Palace
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(29 rooms) |
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Hotel The Vaishnodevi
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(38 rooms) |
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Hotel Ishwar |
(33 rooms) |
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Hotel Shivam |
(31 rooms) |
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Hotel Abinandan
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(8 rooms) |
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Hotel Mount View
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(38 rooms) |
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Hotel Ashok |
(19 rooms) |
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Hotel Kanchan |
(17 rooms) |
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Hotel Tara Deluxe
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(9 rooms) |
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Hotel Durga Palace
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(42 rooms) |
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Hotel Jai Maa Inn
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(30 rooms) |
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Subash Guest House |
(20 rooms) |
32303, 33318 |
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Shanker Guest House |
(23 rooms) |
33162 |
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Panchvati Guest House |
(8 rooms) |
33050 |
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National Guest House |
(40 rooms) |
32165 |
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Bandhu Guest Houses |
(12 rooms) |
32199, 32299 |
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The Katra Yatri
Niwas
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JK TDC's Tourist
Bungalow at Katra
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Places to visit
from Katra
Aghar Jitto
Just 5 km away from Katra
is Aghar Jitto, the Shrine of Baba Jitto, a devotee
of Mata Vaishno Devi and a revolutionary who led a campaign
against the feudal order. According to legends, a dip in the holy
spring water, flowing in front of the shrine, does miracles to
pre-natal women for safe delivery of children. A path from here
leads to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
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Dera Baba Banda
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Dera Baba Banda:
At about 30 kms from Katra
lies this major Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda
Bairaagi was Guru Gobind Singh's favourite
'Saint-soldier', who had the gurudwara constructed on the banks of
river Chenab, where he spent his last days.
Baba Dhansar
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Baba Dhansar
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Located 10 kms from Katra
(1 km on foot) is Baba Dhansar, a beautiful and cool picnic spot.
Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick
grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before
flowing into the holy Banganga. Next to the spring
in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed
‘Shivling’ on which droplets of water fall naturally all the
year round. A major ‘mela’ (fair) is held here during
Shivratri.
Shiv Khori
This holy cave is nearly a
kilometre long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed ‘Shivling’.
It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in
religious importance. There are stalactites & stalagmites dripping
milky limestone water from the ceiling. Situated at a distance of
about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms from Katra, Shiv Khori
hosts a major fair on Shivratri day every year.
