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Mata Vaishno Devi
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is one of the oldest shrine of India, located at
a height of 5300 feet on the holy Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Hill Range. The
Holy cave is 13 Kms from the Base Camp Katra. The Town Katra is 50 Kms away from
Jammu and 35 Kms from District HQ Udhampur and is linked by road. The Mata Vaishno
Devi Shrine is one of the most popular Shrines of India.
The Goddess Mata Vaishno Devi's abode is in 100 feet long cave with a narrow opening.
The holy cold and crystal clear water washes the lotus feet of the Mata's "Pindian".
There are three natural pindies representing Maha Sarswati, Maha Lakshmi, Maha
Kali, which represent creative, preservative, and destructive aspects of the Super
Power. It is an ancient shrine whose reference is found in the Vedas and ancient
scriptures.
Travel Information
The nearest Railway Station and Airport are at Jammu, at a distance of 50 Kms
from Base camp Katra. A regular bus services are plying from Railway Station,
Air port and General Bus Stand Jammu to Katra. Also number of Taxies, Tourist
vans, Deluxe Busses are available at these places. However number of inter state
busses are available for Katra from almost all the major cities of North India.
The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is linked to the Base Camp Katra with a 13 Kms track.
The entire uphill Journey from Katra to Bhawan is on foot, however, one can hire
ponies, palkies or pithoo for ease of journey.
Recently Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has started the air taxi services
between Jammu, Katra and Sanjichat at the normal rates.
Route of shri Mata Vaishno Devi
The 13 Kms hilly track between Katra and Bhawan contains number of ancient temples
and view-points for rest and enjoy natural beauty. The first stop is at Banganga,
1 Km away from Katra where one can have holy bath in the Banganga and have a Langer/Parshad
(free food) run by famous T-series Industries.
The second stop Charanpadhuka is about 2.5 Kms away from Banganga. It is believed
that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji took rest while moving towards the Trikuta Hills.
The place contains the foot prints of Goddess, and thus the place is named Charanpadhuka
Temple.
The third stop Adkuwari is about 3 Kms from Charanpadhuka. Here one can stay for
night as half of the journey is over. At Adkuwari the devotees can have Darshan
of Adkuwari Temple and Gerbhjoon (an ancient Cave of about 20 feet). It is believed
that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji hide herself from Bairon Nath in this cave for
9 months.
After a steep height of about 4 Kms from Adkuwari the fourth and last stop is
Sanjichat. The Sanjichat is the highest place in the track. One can enjoy the
aerial view of Katra, Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu.
From Sanjichat about 2.5 Kms downhill track led to Bhawan the holy Shrine of Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi. About 0.5 Kms from Bhawan on the Bahawan-Sanjichat track an
about 2 Kms link track lead to the Bairon Nath temple. The track is further linked
with Sanjichat though dense forest containing different species of wild life such
as Langoor, Monkeys and other wild birds.
For the ease of Journey the tourist must
. Register themselves at the booking counter Katra and get the yatra slip
. Get permission for the video camera, if interested.
. Check the identity card of the Pithoo, Pony and Palki before hiring them.
. For ease of Journey Travel as light as possible, since all the facilities are
available on the track.
. Avoid the use of Polythene bag to protect the environment.
. Throw the waste in the waste-boxes available.
. Walk on the track only and enjoy the beauty of the nature. Wrong track can lead
to disastrous results.
. While leaving for the Darshan of the Holy Shrine, deposit your belongings at
the clock rooms and get the receipt.
. Donations are to be made at the donation counters and get the receipt duly signed.
