Vaishno Devi Temple - A Holy Shrine
The Vaishno Devi temple in Katra is the second most visited shrine in India visited by over 8 million devotees every year. This place is known as the meditation place of Maa Vaishnavi, the manifestation of the mother goddess. A Vaishno Devi with Amaranth Yatra Package will ensure that you have a spiritually enriching experience.
This enchanting cave temple is located in the Trikuta hills of the lower Himalayan Range. It is situated in the Katra Town of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is surrounded by sheer natural landscapes and beauty. Not only Hindus, but the people of other religions also have a strong belief in Maa Vaishno Devi.
According to the Hindu mythology, Vaishno Devi is believed to be born in a town in south India to Ratnakar Sagar as Vaishnavi. During a Rama’s expedition in search of his beloved wife Sita, Rama came to the sea shore where Vaishnavi asked him to marry her. Rama then married to Sita promised Vaishnavi to marry her in Kalyug and asked her to wait in Trikuta Hills. Rama also gave her a bow and arrow, a lion and a troop of monkeys for her protection. Another myth related to this is when Maa Vaishno came to bless Sridhar, a devotee, an evil saint Bhairavnath followed her to her caves, where she slaughtered him and brought peace to humans.
The Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra can be reached in a couple of hours from the Udhampur railway station via train. But one has to be careful with the reservations as it is crowded throughout the year. The nearest airport is the Jammu airport at a distance of 45km. One can also take a bus from Jammu to Katra for a frisky view of monkeys along the way.
The way to the temple is skywards and steep so the way from Katra to Bhavan needs to be walked by people. There is an arrangement of palanquins and ponies for those who find it difficult to walk a 13km way up the hill. Helicopter services are also provided by the shrine board.
One needs to register himself by buying the permit slip from the office of the shrine board at Katra. Without a slip, no pilgrim will be entertained at the Vaishno Devi temple. So be careful before heading to the cave. Most of the people choose to walk throughout the journey to admire the gracious sight of the Triukuta Hills. The cave temple welcomes its devotees by a cold water stream of Baan Ganga and narrow deep inside where the images of the Mahalaxmi, Mahkaali, and Mahasaraswati have appeared in the form of cylindrical rocks. The cave is beautifully tunnelled with white marble blocks and the deities are decorated with silk, gold, silver and diamonds.
Although the way is on a hill, the arrangements made by shrine board are exemplary. There are tea and snacks stall available at every short distances. Restrooms are also remarkably clean. Covered resting areas can be used in case you need a short break.
