GANESH65
Active member
Maa- Vaishnodevi temple.
We have been discussing and gathering information about temples in South India and the thread has become really popular among us. Here lets try and provide some information about some of the major temples in rest of India. Let me start with Maa- Vaishnodevi Temple situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This shrine attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. I am sure many of us would have visited this temple many a time. Still if this post provides information to those who have not got a chance to visit this temple, I would be much satisfied.
Maa Vaishnodevi temple is a cave shrine lies in the Trikuta mountains, 61 kilometers north of Jammu. Situated at a height of 5,200 feet above sea level, this mountain forms the lower ranges of the Himalayas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is 30 m long and 1.7 m in height. Jammu is well connected by Air and by Rail. . Recently a special train has been introduced which goes up to Katra a small town, and the base camp for the pilgrimage. . One can also go by road from Delhi, enjoying mouth watering Punjabi delicacies from road side Punjabi Dhabas en-route. Trekking starts at Katra for a distance of around 13 kilometers which needs to be covered by foot or by horse if prefer so. One should go by foot so as to enjoy the natural beauty and also to see so many important spots like Charan Paduka, Ban Ganga and Adh kunwari. Charan paduka is the foot print of Devi Maa from where she began to fight Mahishasur. Ban ganga is a natural spring where the devi has cleaned up her Trishul after the Vadh of Mahishasur, Adh Kuwari is a beautiful cave where Lodess has done tapasya to gain powers to destroy the evil powers. It is also known as Garbha jnoon, and is believed that one goes through this Garbha jnoon, is relieved from all his Papakarma. You can obtain the services of coolies called Pittu, for lifting your belongings en-route. Helicopter services are also available from Katra to the hill tip at "Sanchi Chat" at abut Rs.1170/- per person one way (return trip would cost just the double) Sanchi Chat is roughly 2 km away from the Bhawan. The Darshan can be done 24x7. There are bathing ghats provided for the benefits of the pilgrims just near to Bhawan.
Maa's Darshan: The divine Darshan is in shape of three pindis each one representing Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. The supreme powers of Creation, maintenance, and destruction have been placed at one place here and one needs to be really blessed to have reached here.
The Maa Vaishnodevi Shrine-board is maintaining the temple premises which offers a whole lot of facilities to the Pilgrims. You can plan your Pilgrimage well in advance and book Accommodation, Pujas, Helicopter services etc trough the well maintained web site of the shrine board. They also give you all the information you need to conduct this Yatra. It is always better to book your trip well in advance to avoid any possible inconvenience during the trip.
In return you can also visit, Shiv-Khori, another cave shrine which accommodates numerous natural Shiv lingams. Most people combine their trip to Vaioshno Devi with Shiv-khori. In case you return via Delhi, you can also plan to visit Golden Temple at Amritsar, Jalianvala bagh. Indo-pak Boarder etc.
We have been discussing and gathering information about temples in South India and the thread has become really popular among us. Here lets try and provide some information about some of the major temples in rest of India. Let me start with Maa- Vaishnodevi Temple situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This shrine attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. I am sure many of us would have visited this temple many a time. Still if this post provides information to those who have not got a chance to visit this temple, I would be much satisfied.
Maa Vaishnodevi temple is a cave shrine lies in the Trikuta mountains, 61 kilometers north of Jammu. Situated at a height of 5,200 feet above sea level, this mountain forms the lower ranges of the Himalayas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is 30 m long and 1.7 m in height. Jammu is well connected by Air and by Rail. . Recently a special train has been introduced which goes up to Katra a small town, and the base camp for the pilgrimage. . One can also go by road from Delhi, enjoying mouth watering Punjabi delicacies from road side Punjabi Dhabas en-route. Trekking starts at Katra for a distance of around 13 kilometers which needs to be covered by foot or by horse if prefer so. One should go by foot so as to enjoy the natural beauty and also to see so many important spots like Charan Paduka, Ban Ganga and Adh kunwari. Charan paduka is the foot print of Devi Maa from where she began to fight Mahishasur. Ban ganga is a natural spring where the devi has cleaned up her Trishul after the Vadh of Mahishasur, Adh Kuwari is a beautiful cave where Lodess has done tapasya to gain powers to destroy the evil powers. It is also known as Garbha jnoon, and is believed that one goes through this Garbha jnoon, is relieved from all his Papakarma. You can obtain the services of coolies called Pittu, for lifting your belongings en-route. Helicopter services are also available from Katra to the hill tip at "Sanchi Chat" at abut Rs.1170/- per person one way (return trip would cost just the double) Sanchi Chat is roughly 2 km away from the Bhawan. The Darshan can be done 24x7. There are bathing ghats provided for the benefits of the pilgrims just near to Bhawan.
Maa's Darshan: The divine Darshan is in shape of three pindis each one representing Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. The supreme powers of Creation, maintenance, and destruction have been placed at one place here and one needs to be really blessed to have reached here.
The Maa Vaishnodevi Shrine-board is maintaining the temple premises which offers a whole lot of facilities to the Pilgrims. You can plan your Pilgrimage well in advance and book Accommodation, Pujas, Helicopter services etc trough the well maintained web site of the shrine board. They also give you all the information you need to conduct this Yatra. It is always better to book your trip well in advance to avoid any possible inconvenience during the trip.
In return you can also visit, Shiv-Khori, another cave shrine which accommodates numerous natural Shiv lingams. Most people combine their trip to Vaioshno Devi with Shiv-khori. In case you return via Delhi, you can also plan to visit Golden Temple at Amritsar, Jalianvala bagh. Indo-pak Boarder etc.
Last edited: