Jammu is known as City of Temples on account of numerous temples - old and new. Out of these, one temple is situated at Trikuta Hill, 13km away from Katra and 61km away from Jammu City. Yes, we are talking about - Vaishno Devi Mandir. Millions of devotees visit this beautiful and holy place annually. Let's know more about this beautiful temple.
Vaishno Devi Mandir:
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is a manifestation of Maa Durga. She is said to be "Muh Maangi Muradein Puri Krne Wali Maa" (the mother who fulfills wishes of her children). Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is present in holy cave in three naturally formed rocks known as Pindies. Pale white rock is of Maa Saraswati situated in left, while the Yellow-based red is of Maa Lakshmi in middle and the black rock is of Maa Kaali in Right. It is believed that during the pooja and aarti in Vasihno Devi Mandir, Goddesses arrive at the Holy cave to pay their respect to Mata Rani.
Vaishno Devi Temple History:
There are so many tales associated with the temple. But the most popular tale which is believed by locals of Jammu is that of Sridhar Brahmin.
Sridhar Brahmin was a very poor man who used to live in Hansali village situated at the foot of Trikuta Hill. He was a great devotee of Ma Shakti. Once Maa Vaishnavi appeared in his dream in Kanyaroop. After this incident, Sridhar decided to organize a grand Bhandara. Brahmin selected an auspicious date for Bhandara and invited all the people living in nearby villages. Thereafter, Sridhar went to his relatives and neighbours requesting them to give him raw provisions that could be used in the Bhandara. Most of them denied to help him but few of them helped him. As the day of Bhandara got closer, Sridhar worries about what to feed guests whom he invited in Bhandara, where to make them sit beacause he had inadequate space. His worries increases as the day of Bhandara drew nearer. On the day of Bhandara, he sat down for pooja outside his hut and continues. Guests stated arriving by the midday. When they found Sridhar deeply involved in pooja, they made themselves sit wherever they could find place. When pooja was over, Shridhar looked around and found a huge number of guests was siting comfortably in his small hut and still a lot of space was unutilized. He started worrying about how to tell his guests that he would not able to feed them.
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Then he saw a kanya coming out from his hut. With the grace of Maa Vaishnavi, all the guest had food of their own choices and Bhandara turned out to be succesful. Bhairon Nath, a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath was also invited in the Bhandara. He raised many problems in Bhandara but Maa Vaishnavi handled Bhandara suceesfully. Bairon Nath fell madly in love with Maa Vaishnavi. He started to annoy her to marry him. Maa Vaishnavi fled to the mountains of Trikuta Hill but she was chased by Bhairon Nath. She turned into her Durga form and cut off his head with her sword in a cave. While dying, Bhairon nath realized his mistake and starting asking for foregiveness. Mata Vaishnavi Devi forgave him and also gave him a boon that after her darshan, devotee need to have Bhairon Nath Darshan then only their Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra will be complete.
One day after all this incident, Shridhar had a dream of same girl and she told him in dreams that she was Vaishno Devi, she showed him the vision of her cave and also blessed him with the boon of four sons. After this dream, Brahmin set out in search of the cave and after finding it, he decided to spend his whole life in worshiping Mata Vaishnavi Devi.
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Attraction of Temple:
Maa Vaishno Devi Mandir is situated in deep ranges of the phenomenal Himalayas. Ardh Kuwari Cave is the place where Mata Vaishnavi Devi took a rest for about nine months. This cave has a very great spiritual significance. If you are a spiritual person, then you must visit this place for your spiritual growth. And if not, then you must visit this place for experiencing the divine power.
More Details:
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Location - 2WHX+X7J, Bhavan, Dhar Vaishno Devi, 182301
Vaishno Devi Darshan Timings - Morning :- 5:00am to 12:00pm
Evening :- 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Vaishno Devi Aarti Timings - Morning :- Before Sunrise
Evening :- After Sunset
Mata Vaishno Devi Official Website - Click Here
How to Reach Vaishno Devi Mandir:
By Air : Jammu Airport is located at a distance of 50km. Get regular taxi and cab service from Jammu Airport to Katra.
By Bus : Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation buses operates from Jammu to Katra and vice versa. Private Buses with Air-conditioned and taxis are also available from Jammu to Katra.
By Train : Udhampur railway station is the nearest railway station from Katra. Taxis and cabs are available from railway station to Katra.
Read About : Achitecture of Vaishno Devi Mandir
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ques 1- Where is Vaishno Devi Temple?
Ans 1- Vaishno Devi Mandir is located in the Katra region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ques 2- How many stairs in Vaishno Devi Mandir?
Ans 2- Around 3000 stairs in Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir.
Ques 3- How much time it takes to reach Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir from Katra by walk?
Ans 3- It takes around 4-6 hours to complete Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra depending on the person pace.
Ques 4- What is the best time to Visit Vaishno Devi Temple?
Ans 4- Best time to undertake Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra is between the month of March and October.
Ques 5- What to take care of when visiting Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra?
Ans 5- Photography and Videography is banned in Vaishno Devi Temple, so remember not to take any mobile phone and camera with you.
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