Vaishno Devi

Faith has moved mountains. From a cave shrine tucked away deep in the the Trikuta Mountains of Kashmir to a bustling religious centre, the call of Mata Vaishno Devi has drawn and converted many a non-believer. Those who come as tourists leave as staunch followers singing her praises. This is the ultimate refuge of the helpless. The one place that answers your prayers. Where all dilemmas are resolved. So come with faith - that's all that is asked of you.

Location: The holy cave shrine of Vaishno Devi is nestled in a beautiful recess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas. It is located 61 km north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the cave there are images of three deities viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Maa Saraswati.

Season: The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winters when the route is often blocked by snow-fall.

 

The Yatra Route

The Yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 km of terrain on foot to reach the Darbar. One kilometer away from Katra, is Banganga, place where Mata quenched her thirst and at 6 km further down, is the holy cave at Adhkawari.

The entire 13 km route is quite wide and tiled. Besides, the whole path is lit up every night by powerful sodium vapour lamps. The whole route is swept and cleaned from time to time throughout the day. Yatris are requested to keep the path clean.

Shelter cum sheds and shelter cum cafeterias are setup throughout the route. Pure vegetarian food is available at these outlets. Price charts are exhibited at all these outlets prominently. Drinking water has been made available all along the route, with water coolers and storage facilities.

 

Public utilities with automatic flushing systems along the track and at the Bhawan. After 6 km. of trekking, you would reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months. Do visit the cave. After 9.5 km., you would reach "Sanjhi Chhat" where you can rest for sometime. Accommodation is also available at this place. Bhawan from here, is just 3.5 km. away.

On reaching Bhawan, show your Yatra Slip at the Registration Office and obtain the Batch number provided on the slip. This number is important as it will determine your place in the queue for darshan. On reaching Bhawan, get your luggage and leather items booked in the cloak rooms and obtain the receipt. Book the valuables separately and obtain the receipt. You can also get blankets on refundable deposit for Rs.100. Prasad, Chunri and Coconuts are also available from the shops situated close to the entrance of the Bhawan

Authentic Papers: Yatris are advised to obtain a yatra slip only from the Yatra Registration Counter at the Tourism Reception Centre, Katra Bus Stand, and not elsewhere. Without an authentic yatra slip, crossing of Banganga check post will not be allowed. The Yatra Slip is absolutely free but is necessary to commence the Yatra.

Equipment: Caps, canvas shoes, sticks etc can be obtained on hire, for the Yatra, at a number of shops at Katra. Pithus or porters (people who carry weight on their backs) can be hired for carrying your luggage. Those who have problems in climbing on the mountains, can hire the services of a pony or dandi (palanquin). Pithus can be hired for carrying the children on shoulders. It is advised that you should avail of the services of only registered people be it the pithu, pony or the dandiwalla and keep his token for the period he is engaged.

 

Things to remember

•  Official rate lists for all vendor services are available. Demand to see them when making payments.
• Avail of the services of only registered people be it pithu, pony or the dandiwalla and keep his token for the period he is engaged.
• Contact the announcement counters of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at Katra, Banganga, Adhkawari and Darbar for locating missing persons.
• Use only the donation boxes provided at various places by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. In case of donations at the donation counters of the Board at Katra (Central Office/ Vishram Ghar), Adhkawari, Sanjhi chhat and various points at the Bhawan, obtain a formal receipt.
• Avoid overstraining on the climb and prefer the track over the stairs and stick to either of the paths.
• Luggage and belongings should not be deposited with unauthorized persons or left unguarded at the bathing ghats.
• Qualified doctors are available at the Primary Health Centre, Katra, Adhkawari and Bhawan - Open round the clock. The Evening Clinic, Katra Bus Stand - Open 2 pm to 8 pm.
• Clothing - Light woolens required at night during the summer months. Heavy woolens required during the remaining part of the year.
• Note: 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 SDM or Tehsildar in Room Nno. 8,, Kalika Bhawan, Durbar or write to the following address for any kind of suggestions/complaints: The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra, J&K, India.

The Aarti (Prayer)

The two-hour long Aarti or Prayer is performed twice a day, first at sunrise and again at sunset. The holy cave is closed to pilgrims at this time. Only the Pujaris (priest), Sahayaks (attendants) and an officer is permitted in the holy premises.

Prayer Proceedings:

The priests chants out loud the 108 names of Goddess Durga. Then they perform Atam Puja for their own purification. This is followed by Tilak (urging the gods to grant the priests health), chant of Pratigya Sankalp (vow to worship the three deities), bathing of Ganesh, Surya (sun) and Chandrama (moon) symbols. Then the holy Pindies (what you see in the picture at the top, on this page) are bathed with water and the five Amrits: Milk, Curd, Ghee, Honey and Sugar.

"Pashupatinath" is then given a bath with Panchamrit. This is followed by a general cleaning of the area of the sanctum sanctorum. Ganga water is poured over the holy Pindies. The priests chant Devyapradh Kshamapan Stotram or the mantras seeking forgiveness for their sins. Meanwhile the preparations for the adorning of the sacred Pindies go on.

The garments used for adornment is red, the bridal colour of all Hindu girls. This symbolizes that Goddess Vaishno Devi is in her bridal attire awaiting Vishnu's arrival. Once the Tilak ceremony is over the Pindies are adorned with flowers, gold necklaces, silver crowns, bangles, sindoor. A curtain is drawn covering the entire sanctum sanctorum.

Aarti begins which includes ad dedication to Sridhar, the Brahmin credited with having found the shrine. After the local Aarti is over, the priests sing hymns in Hindi and Dogri to the accompaniment of bells and cymbals. The head Priest, a descendant of Sridhar, provides to Darshan to devotees and distributes Prasad. Puja is also performed in the holy cave which is once again thrown open to the pilgrims for Darshan.
 

"The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave.


Darshans are open round the clock throughout the year"