Vaishno Devi Yatra
The words "mandir" and "mandira" are commonly used in India for "Hindu temple", and so these words are also often used in connection with Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi Mandir (Hindi: वैष्णोदेवी मन्दिर) is one of the holy Hindu temples dedicated to "Shakti", located at the Trikuta Mountains within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Hindu Deity (History):
According to shikhir Hindu epic, Maa Vaishno Devi was born in the south of India in the home of Ratnakar Sagar. Her worldly parents had remained childless for a long time. Ratnakar had promised, the night before the birth of the Divine child, that he would not interfere with whatever his child desired. Ma Vaishno Devi was called Trikuta as a child. Later She was called Vaishnavi because of Her birth from Lord Vishnu's lineage. When Trikuta was 9 years old, She sought her father's permission for doing penance on the seashore. Trikuta prayed to Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama. During Shree Rama's search for Sita, He reached the seashore with His army. His eyes fell on this Divine Girl in deep meditation. Trikuta told Shree Rama that she had accepted him as her husband. Lord Rama told her that he couldn't accept her as he was obligate with one wife consort in this life but promised her to meet in Kalyug. In the meantime Shree Rama asked Trikuta to meditate in the cave found in the Trikuta Range of Manik Mountains in northern India. Lord Ram gave her a bow and arrows, an army of monkeys and a lion for her protection. Ma observed the 'Navratra' for the Victory of Shree Rama against Ravana. Hence one reads the Ramayana during the nine days of Navratra, in remembrance of the above connection. Shree Rama promised that the whole world would sing Ma Vaishno Devi's praise. Lord Rama said Trikuta was to become famous as Vaishno Devi and would become immortal forever. The abode of Maa Vaishno devi is attaining huge pilgrimage attraction due to Lord Rama's blessings to the goddess.Story of Shree-Dhar:
With the passage of time many more stories about the Mother Goddess emerged. One such story is about Shree-Dhar:Shree-Dhar was an ardent devotee of Ma Vaishno Devi. He resided in a village called Hansali, 2 km from the present Katra town. Once Ma appeared to him in the form of a bewitching girl. The girl asked the humble Pandit to hold a 'Bhandara' (a feast to feed the mendicants and devotees). The Pandit set out to invite people from the village and nearby places. He also invited 'Bhairav Nath', a selfish tantrik. Bhairav Nath asked Shri-Dhar how he was planning to fulfill the requirements. He reminded him of the bad consequences in case of failure. As Panditji was lost in worry, the Divine girl appeared and told Him not to be despondent as everything had been arranged. She asked that over 360 devotees be seated in the small hut. True to Her word the Bhandara went smoothly with food and place to spare.
Bhairav Nath admitted that the girl had supernatural powers and decided to test Her further. He followed the Divine girl to Trikuta Hills. For nine months Bhairav Nath was searching for the mystic girl in the mountains, who he believed was an incarnation of the Mother Goddess. While running away from Bhairav, Devi shot an arrow into the Earth from which water gushed out. The resultant river is known as Baanganga. It is believed that by taking a bath in Baanganga (baan: arrow), a believer of the Mother Goddess can wash away all his sins. The banks of the river, known as Charan Paduka, are marked by Devi's foot imprints, which remain intact till date. Vaishno Devi then took shelter in a cave known as Garbh Joon near Adhkawari where she meditated for nine months attaining spiritual wisdom and powers. Her meditation was cut short when Bhairav located her. Vaishno Devi was then compelled to take the form of Maha Kali when Bhairav tried to kill her. The manifestation of the Mother Goddess took place at the mouth of the Holy cave at Darbar. The Goddess then beheaded Bhairav with such sheer force that his skull fell at a place known as Bhairav Ghati, 2.5 km from the Holy Cave.
In his dying moments, Bhairav pleaded for forgiveness. The Goddess knew that Bhairav's main intention in attacking her was to achieve salvation. She granted Bhairav liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and granted him a boon, whereby every devotee, to ensure completion of the pilgrimage, had to visit Bhairav Nath's temple near the Holy cave after the darshan of the Goddess. Meanwhile Vaishno Devi assumed the shape of a rock with three pindis (heads) and immersed herself into meditation forever.
Meanwhile, Pandit Shree-Dhar became impatient. He started to march towards Trikuta Mountain on the same path that he had witnessed in a dream. He ultimately reached the cave mouth. He made a daily routine of worshiping the ') pindis' in several ways. His worship pleased the Goddess. She appeared in front of him and blessed him. Since that day, Shree-Dhar and his descendants have been worshiping the Goddess Mother Vaishno Devi.
Mata Vaishno Devi temple:
Vaishno Devi Temple is near the town of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir; in the
Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most
revered places of worship in India. The shrine is at an altitude of
5300 feet and a distance of approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from
Katra. About 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine. A rail link from Udhampur to Katra is recently completed to facilitate pilgrimage. The nearest airport is Jammu Airport which has very high flight frequency, and is served by all leading domestic airlines. This place contains three idols of Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Kali, which are all images of Vaishno Devi.
Way to visit Mata Vaishno Devi temple:
Maa Vaishno Devi temple can be reached from Katra. Katra is a small but bustling town around 45 km. from Jammu. From Katra, after getting the 'Yatra Parchi' (Journey Slip) for darshan, devotees can proceed to the Bhavan.
The way to Bhavan is steep and requires a long walk uphill.
Alternatively ponies and palanquins are also available. Helicopter
service can also be taken for a large part of the trip. The Trust offers
comfortable stay for pilgrims.Indian Railways also start rail services up to Katra from July 1st 2013. They are in communication with the Jammu and Kashmir Government to integrate permit slips for Vaishno Devi Darshan with the train ticket. The passenger can get permit slips while booking the train ticket.
Katra pics:
Maps to visit mata vaishno devi temple:
Nearby cities: Udhampur, Jammu, Samba
Coordinates: 33°1'28"N 74°56'37"E
Distance chart from Katra, Altitude w.r.t Mass Sea Level & Average Temperature :
Baan Ganga visit:
Bhairavnath was an expert at the science of meditation and was a
tantrik. He closed his eyes for a moment and saw with the help of his
yogic-powers that Maa Vaishno had preceded towards the Trikuta Hills, in
a subtle form of "Air". Bhairavnath started chasing Devi Maa.During this chase, Maa Vaishno felt thirsty, and SHE perched an arrow with HER bow on the land and a stream of water flew out. This place is called Ban Ganga.
Maa Vaishno stopped for some time and looked behind at Bhairavnath who
was chasing her. The place where Maa Vaishno rested has marks of the
impressions of HER feet and was printed on a stone as SHE stopped here.
The foot prints are still visible on the stone, preserved here in the
temple. Hence, the place is called "Charan Paduka" i.e. , the holy foot
prints.
Ardhkuwari Temple and Cave(Garbh Joon) visit:
The belief goes on that Goddess Vaishnodevi had stayed at this place for nine months and was seen by a saint thereafter. The story about the cave’s opening too is unique which states that once Bhairon came inside this cave while chasing Mata she ran away by making way for herself through the trident. That is why the gate is uniquely shaped and was planned way to escape when Bhairon was chasing her. The location of this temple at the 4,800 kilometers height above the sea level is another importance to note.
Importance of Ardhakuwari temple:
This is the place where the path for the temple turns steep hence it remains a decisive location. It is famously called Hathimathha due to the shape of elephant’s head and curves are designed accordingly. The place has too much significance for it being the location where, as the famous belief goes on, one reaches into the Goddess lap and receives her blessings too. There is also a common belief that in case you fail to visit this place you haven’t completed this holy pilgrimage. That is why all travellers arrive at this cave to complete the pilgrimage here.
Location of Ardhakuwari temple:
The location of this temple at the middle of the journey to Holy
Shrine and especially at a place where pilgrims take a break keep it
into the center of attention. Length of this cave is 15 foot although it
has too much narrowness. It becomes necessary to sidle by the small
entrance that has been carved from the cave to make it a door for entry.
Popular belief is that no doubt the cave’s opening remains narrow but
still one may enter inside if the Goddess pour mercy on such people.Bhairav Mandir Visit :
Story behind the BairavNath Temple:
On reaching at the Holy cave at Darbar Maa Vaishno with all HER powers
looked MAHA KALI and in the end with her Trishul cut the head of
Bhairavnath and threw it with such a force that it went at a distant
Mountain. The place at which the head fell is now Bhairav Temple.
According to the katha the big rock at the entrance of the Holy cave is
the remaining body of Bhairavnath.Bhairavnath then started pleading and begged to forgive him, for his sins.Merciful Maa Vaishnodevi forgave Bhairavnath for all his sins and
blessed him and granted him a wish that whenever HER bhakts will come to
Bhavan for HER Darshan their yatra will not be completed unless on
going back after HER Darshan, the devotees pay homage at Bhairavnath
temple.Detailed Story of Mata Vaishno Devi:
At about 2 kms from Katra, from where we start our Yatra today, is situated an old village, Hansal, also called (Hansalli).
Around 700 years ago,there lived a very poor priest named Pandit
Shirdhar,who was very heartily devoted to Maa Vaishnodevi. He used to
sing his daily prayers and performed Puja daily. He also used to worship
little girls (called Kanya Pujan) regularly. And as faith was, he was
childless and had no children of his own.
His daily Puja and Prayers for Maa Vaishnodevi went on for many years.
At last seeing his firm-faith and the true devotion, Maa Vaishnodevi one
day came to Panditji, in the form of a little innocent girl.
Pandit Shridhar had been busy in his daily preparation of Kanya Pujan,
where, some little girls were present before him. Maa Vaishnodevi
manifested herself in those little-girls. As per the Hindu tradition,
while Pt. Shirdhar had been washing the feet of these little girls, his
sight fell on Maa Vaishno manifested herself in the form of a little
girl. Panditji was astonished to see HER celestial beauty in vermilion
garbs; SHE wore on HER divine body. He had never seen the little girl
before, and SHE did not even seem to belong to his village. Anyway, he
worshiped as usual. When the Puja was over, all the girls returned to
their homes after getting their offerings from Panditji, except Maa
Vaishnodevi who remained seated.
Panditji was very much confused and was about to inquire and ask Maa
Vaishno that Maa Herself spoke to him and said " I have an important
task for you." Panditji was spell bound and was astonished more and more
to listen to such a conversation from that little-girl. Maa Vaishno
asked Panditji to invite people from neighboring villages for a
collective lunch - called Bhandhara. Panditji was very much confused and
before he could say anything or ask Maa Vaishno about HER, Maa Vaishno
disappeared.
Pt. Shirdhar went on thinking hard - who this little girl was? But was
unable to find an answer to it… SHE might be an "Eternal-Girl", or may
be Maa Vaishnodevi Herself and the more he thought the more he got
confused, and worried for the "Bhandhara", as it was not possible for
him to keep such a huge Bhandhara. He could not think of anything, and
in the end, he decided to obey the Divine Girl and went to tell and
invite the people in the neighboring villages.
He went on to invite people from one village to another. On his way, he
came across a group of saints. He very humbly bowed before them, and
with his folded hands, extended an invitation to them also to attend
Bhandhara, the next day. Gorakhnath - the leader of the group of saints -
told him that he was mistaking in inviting them at home, as even Lord
Indra had not been able to satisfy them. Pt. Shridhar got afraid and
related them the event and told them of the Divine-Girl. Gorakhnath in
his anxiety accepted Panditji's invitation. He also wanted to see, such a
girl, who could prepare food for so many peoples and was very curious
to find who this Girl was?
Panditji was fully exhausted when he returned home, and so he went fast
asleep immediately on returning home. The next morning, once again, he
started worrying about the arrangements for Bhandhara. He just sat in
his home, thinking, when people began to gather outside his small hut.
Gorakhnath and Bhairavnath, a disciple of Gorakhnath, also arrived along
with their disciples.
Panditji was not able to understand what was going on, and to his
surprise, all of a sudden Maa Vaishnodevi - The Divine Girl, entered
into the little hut. No one could know - which way SHE had come! How and
when did SHE arrive? Maa Vaishno told Panditji, "Don't worry, and get
up! Everything will be arranged very soon. Tell your guests to come in
and sit in the hut." Pt. Shirdhar, immediately got up, and came out to
the eagerly awaiting crowd. He invited them to come inside the hut and
have food. Gorakhanth then asked - How can we sit in your hut? It does
not have a sufficient space for all of us. Panditji folded his hands and
said. No problem - please come in....
All people who were invited began to enter one by one in the hut. All of
them were astonished to see, that all of them had entered and sat
inside the hut and still a small space was left in the corner of the
same hut, which was very small!!
Maa Vaishno began to serve food from a small vessel in HER little hands.
The foods of their respective choice and likings! Everyone was
surprised and Maa Vaishno's devotee Pt. Shirdhar was overwhelmed with
joy.
Gorakhnath and his senior disciple Bhairavnath were very much amazed and
began to consult between themselves - and said SHE seems to be an
Eternal Power. Who SHE was? And when Maa Vaishno reached Bhairavnath to
serve him the foods, he asked, "Shall I get the food of my choice?".
"What do you want?" Maa Vaishno asked him politely.
Bhairavnath asked for meat and wine. Maa Vaishno very gently told him
that he was sitting in the hut of a pious Vaishnav Brahmin, and that
only vegetarian food will be served.
Bhairavnath turned deaf ears to the words, as he wanted to cross-examine
the Girl. Nevertheless, Maa Vaishno knew his evil desires and as soon
as, Bhairavnath could rose up with some seditious thinking and tried to
catch hold of Maa Vaishno's hand and Maa disappeared.
Bhairavnath was an expert at the science of meditation and was a
tantrik. He closed his eyes for a moment and saw with the help of his
yogic-powers that Maa Vaishno had preceded towards the Trikuta Hills, in
a subtle form of "Air". Bhairavnath started chasing Devi Maa.
During this chase, Maa Vaishno felt thirsty, and SHE perched an arrow
with HER bow on the land and a stream of water flew out. This place is
called Ban Ganga.
Maa Vaishno stopped for some time and looked behind at Bhairavnath who
was chasing her. - The place where Maa Vaishno rested has marks of the
impressions of HER feet and was printed on a stone as SHE stopped here.
The foot prints are still visible on the stone, preserved here in the
temple. Hence, the place is called "Charan Paduka" i.e. , the holy foot
prints.
At a considerable distance from Charan paduka, Maa Vaishno reached a
small charming plateau, called Ardhkwari , where a mendicant was
practicing his meditations opposite a small tunnel. SHE gave HER divine
sight to the mendicant and told him not to tell any thing about HER
visit to any one. Thereafter, Maa Vaishno went into the tunnel and took
rest for full long nine months, as if the child in the womb of a mother.
Maa Vaishno spent the nine months in complete devotion. Hence, the
tunnel was called "Garabh Joon".
Searching for Maa Vaishno, Bhairavnath reached here. He asked the
mendicant “Have you seen a girl on this plateau?" The old mendicant
replied, “SHE is the supreme power in the whole world, whom you think to
be an ordinary girl and that she is Adikumari" , i.e. A virgin since
the very beginning of this earth. He told Bhairavnath either to run away
or to beg pardon from HER. The moment universe came into existence
since then SHE has maintained virginity better you go back. Bhairavnath
again put a deaf ear to the advice and entered into the tunnel. Maa
Vaishnodevi was aware of it. Maa Vaishno with HER divine powers made
another opening of the cave by strucking a path at the end of the tunnel
with the help of HER trident and moved ahead towards the Holy cave at
Darbar (Bhavan).
On reaching at the Holy cave at Darbar Maa Vaishno with all HER powers
looked MAHA KALI and in the end with her Trishul cut the head of
Bhairavnath and threw it with such a force that it went at a distant
Mountain. The place at which the head fell is now Bhairav Temple.
According to the katha the big rock at the entrance of the Holy cave is
the remaining body of Bhairavnath.
Bhairavnath then started pleading and begged to forgive him, for his sins.Merciful Maa Vaishnodevi forgave Bhairavnath for all his sins and
blessed him and granted him a wish that whenever HER bhakts will come to
Bhavan for HER Darshan their yatra will not be completed unless on
going back after HER Darshan, the devotees pay homage at Bhairavnath
temple.
On the other side, Pt. Shirdhar was very much disappointed with the
sudden disappearance of Maa Vaishno . He was very much worried about Maa
Vaishno , and went on for fasting for many days, even leaving food and
water.
Kind hearted Maa Vaishnodevi, again appeared before him, in his dream
one night. In his dream, Maa showed him HER shrine - the Holy cave and
asked him to follow HER through the route. Panditji followed and reached
Pavitra Gufa. Pt. Shirdhar was very happy when he woke up in the
morning. All his distortion was removed.
From that very day, Panditji began to search for the Holy cave, which he
had seen in his dream. He was very much disturbed and wanted to find
Holy cave as soon as possible. He started recounting and following the
route as directed and once while climbing up the hills, Panditji was
able discovers the Holy cave, the same which he saw in his dream.
Panditji entered inside the Holy Cave . And to his astonishment, he got
the Holy sight of the abode of Maa Vaishnodevi to the success of his
life. He saw, DEVI MAA , represented by three goddesses, viz. Maa Maha
Laxmi (the goddess of beauty and wealth), Maa Mahakali (the vanquisher
of evil (right)), Maa Maha Saraswati (the muse of art and learning
(left) in the form of three PINDIS. Pandit Shirdhar read hymns and
verses in praise of Maa Vaishnodevi, with his hands folded before HER,
and offered "Aarti", and bowed and prayed by all means. Maa Vaishnodevi
was very much pleased with him. SHE granted him a boon of four sons, and
said that his descendants will continue to worship HER. Since that day,
the descendants of Pt. Shirdhar have been worshipping Maa Vaishnodevi
(Pindi Swaroopa), inside the Holy cave (Pavitra Gufa).
Thereafter, Pt. Shirdhar made known to this world of the Holy Cave and
existence of Maa Vaishnodevi in the Pavitra Gufa. This is how; we all
came to know of our beloved Devi Maa and had been blessed by HER all
through these years.
J A I - M A T A - D I
