An arduous hike of faith & hope takes you to the wish-fulfilling goddess Vaishno Devi who dwells in a cave on the Trikuta Hill in Jammu. A grueling 12 km trek from Katra culminates at this cave shrine that attracts thousands of devotees every year. Thousands walk up this grueling path and tie a sacred thread marking their wish, and then travel again to open the knot when the wish is fulfilled.
Not just a pilgrimage but also a scenic adventure, Vaishno Devi Tour is a spiritual journey along a spectacular route sliced through mountains of Jammu. Join us on this soulful journey to pay obeisance to the wish-granting goddess of the hills.
Born as a human, from the joint spirits of Goddesses Kali, Lakshmi & Saraswati, the young & beautiful Vaishno Devi lived & meditated at the base of Trikuta Hill. Bhairon Nath, a tantric, was attracted to her and pestered her. Aggrieved, the goddess ran up the hill, and this route, now marked by lore & legends, takes you to the main cave shrine. The place where the thirsty goddess shot an arrow to cause water to erupt is called Banganga, then she rested at Charan Paduka, and finally, she stopped at Ardhkunwari to meditate for nine months. However, Bhairon Nath caught up with her at Ardhkunwari, compelling the Goddess to behead him. His head fell at a nearby hill where a Bhairon Temple now stands. He then sought forgiveness, and Vaishno Devi granted him the boon that the pilgrimage to her shrine shall be incomplete without visiting the Bhairon Temple. The goddess then entered a cave, gave up her mortal form, and mediated in the form of three rounded stones.
The cave where Goddess shed her human form and turned into three pindis (rounded rocks) forms the sanctum sanctorum. The three Pindis or rocks here represent the three forms of divine energy- creative, preservative, and destructive. This long, narrow cave is marked with emblems of many gods & goddesses who are believed to have worshipped the deity here. Water gushes out from the bottom of the holy Pindis and is channeled to the bathing ghats where devotees take a dip before entering the sacred cave.
Bhairon Nath’s head is believed to have fallen in the Bhairon Valley, around 2 km uphill from the main shrine, where now stands a temple in his name. No pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi temple is considered complete without visiting Bhairon Nath’s shrine.
It is a common belief that the goddess sends for you, and once heralded, you are compelled to march towards the holy shrine. This physical & spiritual journey, though arduous, acts as catharsis for souls. The road to the shrine is well-paved, well-lit and may be covered on foot, mule-back, and palanquins. The shrine board offers a range of facilities including, covered walkways, basic amenities, and subsidized food & shelter throughout the journey.
The temple is opened to the devotees throughout the year. However, the best time to visit here would be in spring from March to May and pre-winter from September to November. The 9 days of Navratri festival, celebrated twice a year in March/April and then again in September/October are considered the most auspicious days to visit Vaishno Devi shrine.
By Air - Jammu Airport, around 50kms from Katra, the base camp for Vaishno Devi Temple, is the closest airport.
By Rail - Katra Railway Station brings you to the base camp by a network of direct & express trains.
By Road - A network of well-maintained roads and highways connect Katra with the cities in north India.
By Helicopter - Helicopter services are available from Jammu and Katra to Sanjhichat, the highest point on the route to the main shrine, after which it is an easy downhill trek to the shrine.
Book your Vaishno Devi tour package for a blissful experience in the hills of Jammu. You may couple this pilgrimage to a delightful trip to Patni Top or travel further ahead to Srinagar for a heavenly experience. Just write to us for free quotes and personalized itineraries and help us plan a memorable India tour for you.
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