History-Vaishnav Devi

The tale is around thousands of years old, when a comely maiden called "Vaishnavi" was created by the three lords in a human form. Vaishnavi was a devotee of Lord Vishnu as is reflected by the name. She took a vow of chastity and spent almost all her life in meditation and prayers. With time she attained enormous spiritual powers and even got an assurance from Lord Rama that he will marry her in Kali-Yug. This is the reason why she is also known as Adh Kanwari or the "eternal virgin". Mata Vaishnav Devi established an ashram in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountain and began her meditation.

Gradually her glory started spreading and people began to gather at her ashram to seek her blessings. A Tantrik called Gorakh Nath, who had a vision of the whole episode between Lord Rama and Mata Vaishnav Devi, became curious and wanted to know more about her. So, he sent his disciple `Bhairon Nath' to find out. Bhairon Nath started observing her secretly and realized that despite being a `Sadhvi', she always carried a bow and arrows and was always surrounded by langoor (apes) and a ferocious lion. The demon God(Bhairon) took a fancy to her, which Mata Vaishnav Devi refused and fled to the Himalayas to continue her spiritual quest.

On the way the goddess felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from where the water gushed out. At present Charan Paduka, which is marked by the imprints of her feet, is the place where she rested. The Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adh Kanwari. It took Bhairon nine months to locate her, which is why the cave is also known as Garbh Joon. When the demon found her, Mata Vaishnav Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave and fled up to the Holy cave at Darbar, the main temple. However, Bhairon followed her there to harass her. Then goddess became very angry. She assumed the form of Mata Kali and beheaded Bhairon outside the cave with the help of the flying disc(chakra) given to her by Lord Krishna.

The head of Bhairon Nath fell at a distant hilltop. In his dying moments, Bhairon begged and received divine forgiveness from the goddess. Today, it is believed that the Yatra is not complete unless the pilgrim has been to Bhairon ka Mandir which is almost 2.5 kms from the main bhavana(temple), after the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishnav Devi. The goddess herself took up permanent abode in a cave in the Trikuta Mountains by metamorphosing herself in to three pindis (Rock). This holy shrine of Mata Vaishnav Devi is unique as it contains the holiest of holy Pindis manifesting the Mata in her three forms - Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati - each form representing a particular attribute.

Maha Kali represents Tamas Guna, Tamas meaning darkness. In her manifestation of Kali the omnipotent, absolute and all pervasive, she is said to be beyond fear and finite existence and is therefore able to protect her devotees against fear and to give them limitless peace. Maha Lakshmi represents Rajas Guna, Rajas meaning prosperity. In this manifestation, the goddess blesses her devotees with wealth and prosperity for living a better life. Maha Saraswati represents Sattav Guna, Sattav meaning wisdom and knowledge. This manifestation enables her devotees to distinguish between good and bad and helps them to adopt the right path in life. The combination of these three attributes in a single Shakti is a unique combination, which is what makes it, revered all over the world.

Vaishnav Devi-Adventure Travel Tour Jammu

Everyday of the year more than thousands of people climb up the steep pathways of Vaishnav Devi just to worship the goddess Vaishnav Devi. It is a Popular belief that anybody who walks up the Himalayan trail to the goddesses's abode to ask for a boon he/she rarely goes back disappointed. There are many who visit Vaishnav Devi year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion. Not only the the Yatra to the holy shrine but also the legend associated with it is fascinating.

Light woollens are required at night even during summer here. During the remaining time of the year heavy woollens are required.

Some things that you should always remember while venturing for this yatra(pilgrimage) are:

• Obtain a yatra slip only from the yatra registration counter at the Tourist Reception Centre at the Katra bus stand. Without an authentic yatra slip, crossing of the Ban Ganga check post is not permitted. The slip is not available anywhere else.
• Take official receipts for all payments made to the Shri Mata Vaishnav Devi Shrine Board as well as those made to private vendors. Demand to see official rate lists while making payments.
• Use only the donation boxes provided by the SMV Shrine Board. In case of donations at the donation counters of the board at Katra, Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and various points at the Bhawan and always obtain a formal receipt.
• Donations to the shrine are exempt from income tax under the Income Tax Act. Do contact the central office of the Shrine Board located at Katra, or the Sub Divisional Magistrate or Tehsildar in Room No. 8, Kalika Bhawan, Durbar, or write to the Chief executive Officer, SMV Shrine Board for any suggestions/complaints.
• Avoid over straining yourself on the climb. Walk on the paved track, instead of the stairs. Do not relax at points where warning notices are displayed. Do not break traffic discipline or try to over take others at difficult stretches.
• Good accommodation, with bedding facilities is provided by the SMV Shrine Board on payment. Facilities for booking of such accommodation fixed rates are available at various offices of the Board.
• Qualified doctors are available at the Primary Health Centre, Katra and at the dispensaries at Adhkawari and Bhawan, round the clock. They are also available at the evening clinic at Katra bus stand; open 2 p.m to 8 p.m. Medical Aid Centres run by the SMV Shrine Board provide necessary assistance to the pilgrims at the Katra bus stand, Banganga and Sanji Chhat.

Jammu is the nearest airport, railhead and inter-state bus terminus. Buses leave for Katra at 10 minutes intervals between 5:30 a.m and 8:30 p.m. During peak season, additional buses are pressed into service.Taxis are available both at Jammu and Katra for the journey. In Jammu city, these can be hired from the Jammu airport, Jammu railway station and the Tourist Reception Centre. A number of travel agencies conduct tours to Katra regularly from Delhi and other major cities of India. There are also daily scheduled services to Katra from a number of cities and towns of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Pawan Hans operates two flights daily from Jammu and 5 flights from Katra to Shrine. Its capacity is 6 persons per flight. The distance from Katra town to Vaishnav Devi(Durbar) is 13 kms, which has to be traversed by pony, ‘dandi’ or on foot. ‘Pithus’ (coolies) are also available.

The Mata Vaishnav Devi Shrine Board (SMV Shrine Board) runs a large number of cafeterias and viewing points along the trail between Katra and the shrine where snacks, coffee and cold drinks are provided to the yatris on a no-profit-no-loss basis. The Shrine Board also runs ‘bhojanalyas’ at Katra, Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and at the Bhawan / shrine for providing hygienically prepared food to the yatris on a no-profit-no-loss basis.Upon reaching the Bhawan, a group number is allotted to the pilgrims at the slip counter against the yatra slip issued at Katra. The yatri is required to stand in queue at Gate Number 2 till the announcement of the group’s number is made to proceed to the sanctum sanctorum. The holy water coming from the feet of the Mata can be collected on the way back.

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