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Katra:
You must pass through Katra to get to Vaishno Devi. I t
is where the road ends. There is an ISKCON temple (01991-33047)in
Katra. It is located at the Kalka Mata Mandir, opposite the petrol
pump. The Kalka Mata Mandir is an ancient Siva and Kali temple
which has been put under the care of ISKCON. The deities are said
to be self-manifested. This temple is visited by many pilgrims.
construction has begun on a temple and large guest house here.
About Mata Vaishno Devi Temple
The abode of the Goddess Vaishno Devi is in the Moutains of
Trikuta Hills, in the Jammu and Kashmir State of Northern India.
The Goddess resides in a beautiful cave in the form of 3 'Pindis'
namely, "Maha Kali", "Maha Laxmi" and "Maha Sarawati". The Goddess
Durga is said to have killed the demon Bhairon here. Vaishno Devi
is 61-km north of Jammu and 14-km from Katra. The cave is at an
elevation of 1,700m (5,100ft) and is 30m (93 ft) long and just
1.5m (5ft) high.
Vaishno Devi is a h ard
four-hour (13-km) climb from Katra. The best time to come is March
to July, as th rest of the time of the year it can be very cold.
The main pilgrimage time is March-April and September-October. In
1986, 1.6 million people came here, or 15 to 20 thousand people a
day. The cave ideally handles just 8 or 10 thousand people a day,
as only 12 or 15 people are let into the cave at a time. On the
full moon day in Kartika (October/ November) the line to get into
the cave can be 4-km long. It is believed that the arm of Goddess
Sati fell at this place.
Intrigued by reports of her piety, Gorakhnath the mahayogi siddh
purush sent his disciple Bhairon Nath to look for her. But he
began invading her privacy and even suggested that she become
his wife. To escape him, Vaisnavi left Trikuta mountains.
Mahayogi Guru Gorakshnath once visited bhandara arranged by Mata
Vaishno Devi along with his 300 disciples and the purpose of
visit was to shower His blessing upon Devi (which makes Her
popular far and wide even today). One of his disciples
Bhairavnath wanted to test powers of Mata Vaishno Devi, despite
Guru Gorkashnathji not recommending to do so. To escape
Bhairavnath she moved to the Trikuta mountains to continue her
meditation undisturbed.
Other Shrines at Vaishno Devi
Bhumika Temple:
Bhumika Temple: At Darshani Darwaza, 1-km from
 Katra,
the Goddess disappeared. This place is called Darsani Darwaza
because the Trikut mountain is visible from here Tikuta Parvat is
three high peaks that are the abodes of the Goddess Vaishno Devi.
Ban Ganga Temple:
After the Goddess left the Bhumika Temple, she went to the Trikuta
Hills passing through here. At this time, Langoor Vir (Veer Langur)
felt thirsty. The Goddess shot an arrow into the stone and a holy
river was produced, now known as Ban Ganga. It is called Ban Ganga
because the Goddess washed her hair at this place. Most pilgrims
take bath here. You must show the slip you got near the Bus Stand
in Katra to pass this point. Ban Ganga is about 3-km from Katra.
Charan Paduka Temple:
This is where the Goddess stopped for some time while Bhairon was
chasing her. Her footprints are supposed to be visible on a stone
at this place. Charanpaduka means " holy footprints." It is about
1.5-km from Ban Ganga at 3,380 feet.
Ardh Kuwari :
Ardh Kuwari is the halfway point and some pilgrims stay here for
the night. There is a 15-foot-long cave called Garbha Joon where
the Goddess hid herself for nine months and showed her self to a
saint. The cave is narrow, and you have to almost crawl all the
way though it. When Bhairon entered the cave, the Goddess made a
new opening with her trident and ran away. Ardh Kuwari is 4.5-km
from Charan Paduka and 4,800 ft above sea level.
After ardh Kuwari the path gets very steep for 2.5-km. This ascent
is called Hathi Matha ascent, because the mountain is shaped like
the forehead of an Elephant. It is best to use the footpath rather
than the stairs, as the climb will be easier. From here it is
another 1,500-ft climb to Sanjhi Chatt, and from there another
4-km to the carve.
The Sri Ram Temple:
The Sri Ram Temple is near Vaishno Devi cave. There is a Shiva-linga
in a cave 125 steps down from the Ram Temple. |