"Chalo
Bulawa Aya Hai Mata Ne Bulaya Hai," is the usual refrain
of one overwhelmed with the irresistible urge. He forgets his
past commitments, drops the job on hand and, at the first opportunity,
rushes to catch the train/flight to Jammu, the rail/Road to Katra
& then reach Vaishno Devi by trek/ponies/helicopter.
Over 4.5 million Indians from all parts of the country respond
this way to the call of the Mother every year to one of the holiest
shrines in northern India. Youngsters hope to fare well in examinations;
newlyweds look for conjugal bliss. Some hope to win property cases;
others look forward to the blessing of an heir. And some visit
Vaishno Devi for no other reason than their wish to see Mata.
Devotees aver that the revered Mata calls out to her followers,
and only then can one go to her sublime shrine. An arduous journey
up the Trikuta Mountain range and the final darshan (audience)
of the Goddess leaves one with staunch faith in Her. It is believed
that one can ask the great Mother of any needful thing and promise
to visit her when the wish is fulfilled. Lakhs of people vouch
for the deity's graciousness and visit the shrine in the form
of thanksgiving.
Fast
Facts
|
Best
time to visit
|
Throughout
the year
|
|
Languages
|
Hindi,
English
|
|
STD
Code
|
01991
|
HISTORY
The
legend goes that more than 700 years ago, Vaishno Devi, a devotee
of Lord 
Vishnu,
used to pray to Lord Rama and had taken vow of celibacy. One day,
Bhairon Nath, a demon-God, saw her and gave chase. The Goddess
felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from
where water gushed out. Charan Paduka, marked by the imprints
of her feet, is the place where she rested. She then meditated
in the cave at Ardhkanwari. It took Bhairon Nath nine months to
locate her. Mata Vaishno Devi then blasted an opening at the other
end of the cave. She assumed the form of Maha Kali and cut off
Bhairon Nath's head, which fell at the place where the Bhairon
Temple is now located. The boulder at the mouth of the holy cave,
according to the legend, is the petrified torso of Bhairon Nath
who was granted divine forgiveness by the benevolent Mata in his
dying moments.
Best
Season, Climate, and Clothing
Planning
a pilgrimage trip to Vaishno Devi shrine? We have various all-inclusive
tour packages , tours and holiday offers that will make your travel
trip to shrine of Vaishno Devi comfortable and enjoyable. Though
we can come up with a customized tour package for the shrine of
Vaishno Devi that will suit your requirements and budget. As per
the nature, duration and the accommodation required during the
holiday trip or leisure travel to Vaishno Devi the tour packages
vary.
