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Katra
50 kms from Jammu. This small town serves as the base camp for
visiting the famous shrine of Vaishnodeviji in the Trikuta Hills.
The shrine is approachable on foot along a 12 kms. Long well laid
foot-path. Every year, nearly 4 million pilgrims pass through Katra
on their way to Vaishnodeviji. Accomodation is available in Tourist
Bungalows, Yatrika and a number of private hotels, beside pilgrims''sarais'.
Excursion
Vaishnodeviji yatra
Katra Town, lying in
the foot of Trikuta Mountains, 48 kms. from Jammu, serves as the
base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi,
which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid footpath.
Every year,
more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass through Katra on their way to
the holy shrine.
The cave shrine of Mata Vasihnodeviji or Trikuta Bhagwati (alt:
5,200 ft.) has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions
of devotees from all over the world. The pilgrimage to the Shrine
holds great significance for the pilgrims.
The Legend of Mata Vaishnodeviji
Everyday of the year throngs of people surge up the steep
pathways that cut across the Trikuta hillsides for mile after mile.
This show of faith is finely interwoven with the cultural strands
of the Indian subcontinent, and these pathways have been trod on
for many centuries now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks
the Himalayan trail to the goddesses's abode to ask for a boon rarely
goes back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a forthcoming
examination, marriage or birth, the devout look up to the Mata For
blessings and guidance. There are many who journey year after year
to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class,
caste or religion.
The Yatra to the holy shrine is as fascinating as the legend associated
with it. It goes that thousands of years ago, a comely maiden called
"Vaishnavi" have been created by the three lords attained
human form and was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Having taken a vow
of celibacy, she spent almost all her life in meditation and prayers.
In time she attained enormous spiritual powers and is believed to
have extracted an assurance from Lord Rama that he will marry her
in Kali-Yug if she persisted in her spiritual quest.
This is why she is also known as Adh Kanwari or
the "eternal virgin".
Mata Vaishno Devi established an ashram in the foothills of the
Trikuta Mountain and began to meditate. As predicted by Lord Rama,
her glory started spreading and people began to flock to her ashram
to seek her blessings. As time passed, a Tantrik called Gorakh Nath
(Demo God), who had a vision of the episode between Lord Rama and
Mata Vaishno Devi, became curious and wanted to know more about
her. Accordingly, he sent his most able 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 looking
lion. Bhairon, the demon God took a fancy to her. But the Mata spurned
his advances 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 water gushed out. 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 known as Garbh
Joon.
When the demon found her, Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at
the other end of the cave with her trident
and fled to the Holy cave at Darbar (temple).
However, Bhairon was persistent and followed her there to harass
her. Then goddess became very angry and assuming the form of Mata
Kali, beheaded Bhairon outside the cave with the aid of the flying
disc gifted to her by Lord Krishna
The severed head of Bhairon 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 (2.6 km from the main
sanctum) as well, after the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno 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 Vaishno 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.
What to remember Obtain a yatra slip only from
the yatra registration counter at the Tourist Reception Centre at
the Katra bus stand and nowhere else. Without an authentic yatra
slip, crossing of the Ban Ganga check post is not permitted.
- Take official receipts for all payments made to the Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMV Shrine Board) as well as those
made to private vendors. Demand to see official rate lists when
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 (central office), Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat and various points
at the Bhawan and obtain a formal receipt for the same.
- 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.
- To maintain the sanctity of the place do not indulge in playing
cards, smoking or chewing betel (paan) at Bhawan or enroute. Do
not paint, stick posters or disfigure signboards, and also avoid
littering the area.
- Fellow pilgrims are bound to you by their faith in the Mata.
Avoid playing transistors or tape recorders too loudly or creating
blockage or hindrances in the passages meant for circulation of
the yatris.
- 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.
Clothing Light
woollens are required at night even during summer. During the remaining
parts of the year heavy woollens are require.
How to reach
Jammu, 48 kms from Katra, is the nearest airport, railhead
and inter-state bus terminus. Buses leave for Katra at 10 minute
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.
Helicopter Service
Pawan Hans operates two flights daily from Jammu and 5 flights from
Katra to Shrine.
Capacity: 6 persons per flight. (The service stands discontinued
for the time being)
For further information contact Pawan Hans Ltd
at Jammu Airport.
Telephone Nos:- 0191-456537, 0191-435305, 0191-435306
The distance from Katra town to Vaishno Devi (Durbar) is 13 kms,
which has to be traversed by pony, ‘dandi’ or on foot.
‘Pithus’ (coolies) are also available.
The Mata Vaishno 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 (‘parchi’) 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. While inside the cave, one
should concentrate on the darshan of the mother goddess in her three-pindi
forms – Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi or Maha Vaishnavi and Maha
Saraswati. The holy water coming from the feet of the Mata can be
collected on the way back.
Where to Stay in Katra
At Katra accommodation to suite all pockets and preferences is available
in hotels, guest houses, sarais, and hostels. The SMVD Shrine Board
provides accommodation and other services en-route and near the
Bhawan. The J&K TDC also offers furnished accommodation of various
categories in its properties at Katra. Following is the list of
various types of accommodation in the private sector at Katra.
Getting There
By Air / Road / Rail upto Jammu and by road from Jammu.
J & K SRTC runs buses and Luxury Coaches from railway station
to Katra. JKTDC has also similar arrangements. Taxis in form of
Maruti Vans, TATA Sumos and Ambassdors are also available for tourists.
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Katra City of Jammu & kashmir of India
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