Mata Vaishno Devi
A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Popular the world over as "Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata", which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot).
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.
This cave temple has a very popular following from people of all faiths. Among the most revered of shrines, and the oldest in the region, it entails a 13.5 km trek from Katra which in turn is 50 km from Jammu. The route up to the shrine consists of both tiled paths as well as steep staircases, and the devout often walk barefeet up the Trikuta mountain. Several shrines, wayside stalls for snacks and beverages and water-points dot the route. An important temple, midway at Adhkunwari, marks a major centre of obeisance where the goddess is supposed to have spent nine months on her journey up the mountain.
A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Popular the world over as "Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata", which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot).
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.
This cave temple has a very popular following from people of all faiths. Among the most revered of shrines, and the oldest in the region, it entails a 13.5 km trek from Katra which in turn is 50 km from Jammu. The route up to the shrine consists of both tiled paths as well as steep staircases, and the devout often walk barefeet up the Trikuta mountain. Several shrines, wayside stalls for snacks and beverages and water-points dot the route. An important temple, midway at Adhkunwari, marks a major centre of obeisance where the goddess is supposed to have spent nine months on her journey up the mountain.
The cave shrine is narrow and pilgrims have to walk through a running stream of cold water Charan Ganga to get to the sanctum sanctorum. Within, three rock-cut idols of the goddesses, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are venerated. Canopies of silver and gold adorn the idols. Coconuts and red scarves are offered.
Legend has it that Vaishno Devi took the cave for her home upon being chased by a demon, Bhairon, whom she slayed outside the shrine. A visit to the temple dedicated to Bhairon who was absolved of his sin before he died, is an obligatory part of the pilgrimage.
All pilgrims are required to get passes at Katra for the yatra (pilgrimage) which continues round the year. In the winter, snow can often block the route, but summer nights are ideal for the uphill ascent. To facilitate pilgrims the entire route has been electrically lit, and there is overnight accommodation available at the shrine.
The Vaishno Devi temple is located in the Trikuta Mountain at 61 kms north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level. The shrine can be visited throughout the year, but in winters, it is difficult due to snowfall.
The legend has that the three main manifestations of Goddess like Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati united together one day and pooled the collective Tejas or spiritual strength. Then a bright light emanated from the place where a beautiful young girl emerged out of this Tejas. She was told to live on earth, spending her time in upholding righteousness and later merge into Vishnu. So, the girl was born to Ratankar and his wife who called her as Vaishnavi.
The girl was very intelligent and had the hunger for knowledge. She learned the art of meditation and penance. Lord Rama during his fourteen years of exile met her who immediately recognized him and asked him to merge her into himself. But Rama asks her to wait till the end of his exile and at that time if she succeeded in recognizing him, he would fulfill her wish. Later, when Rama became victorious and visits her in the disguise of an old man, Vaishnavi was unable to recognize him.
Lord Rama consoles her that he would fulfill her wish in Kaliyug where he would incarnate as Kalki. He also told her to continue her meditation and set up an Ashram to help the destitute from their sufferings. So Vaishnavi goes to the foot of Trikuta hills, sets up an ashram and begins to meditate.
A tantrik named Gorakh Nath who was aware of the story of Vaishnavi became curious to find out whether Vaishnavi had been able to attain high level of spirituality or not. So, he sends his disciple Bhairon Nath to discover the truth. But in the process, Bhairon Nath falls in love with her and starts pestering Vaishnavi to marry him. She escapes from him and goes to Tapasya in the mountains undisturbed. But Bhairon Nath again chased her to her destination. This compels the goddess to kill Bhairon Nath and he was beheaded outside the mouth of the cave.
Due to his prayers at the last minute, the goddess gives him a boon that every devotee of the goddess would have to have the Darshan of Bhairon after the Darshan of the goddess and only then would the Yatra of the devotee would be complete. Later Vaishnavi sheds her human form and assumes the face of a rock immersing her into meditation forever.
Now, Vaishnavi, in the form of a five and a half feet tall rock with three heads or the Pindies on the top is the ultimate destination of a devotee.
The Vaishno Devi temple is located in the Trikuta Mountain at 61 kms north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level. The shrine can be visited throughout the year, but in winters, it is difficult due to snowfall.
The legend has that the three main manifestations of Goddess like Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati united together one day and pooled the collective Tejas or spiritual strength. Then a bright light emanated from the place where a beautiful young girl emerged out of this Tejas. She was told to live on earth, spending her time in upholding righteousness and later merge into Vishnu. So, the girl was born to Ratankar and his wife who called her as Vaishnavi.
The girl was very intelligent and had the hunger for knowledge. She learned the art of meditation and penance. Lord Rama during his fourteen years of exile met her who immediately recognized him and asked him to merge her into himself. But Rama asks her to wait till the end of his exile and at that time if she succeeded in recognizing him, he would fulfill her wish. Later, when Rama became victorious and visits her in the disguise of an old man, Vaishnavi was unable to recognize him.
Lord Rama consoles her that he would fulfill her wish in Kaliyug where he would incarnate as Kalki. He also told her to continue her meditation and set up an Ashram to help the destitute from their sufferings. So Vaishnavi goes to the foot of Trikuta hills, sets up an ashram and begins to meditate.
A tantrik named Gorakh Nath who was aware of the story of Vaishnavi became curious to find out whether Vaishnavi had been able to attain high level of spirituality or not. So, he sends his disciple Bhairon Nath to discover the truth. But in the process, Bhairon Nath falls in love with her and starts pestering Vaishnavi to marry him. She escapes from him and goes to Tapasya in the mountains undisturbed. But Bhairon Nath again chased her to her destination. This compels the goddess to kill Bhairon Nath and he was beheaded outside the mouth of the cave.
Due to his prayers at the last minute, the goddess gives him a boon that every devotee of the goddess would have to have the Darshan of Bhairon after the Darshan of the goddess and only then would the Yatra of the devotee would be complete. Later Vaishnavi sheds her human form and assumes the face of a rock immersing her into meditation forever.
Now, Vaishnavi, in the form of a five and a half feet tall rock with three heads or the Pindies on the top is the ultimate destination of a devotee.
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