Vaishno Devi Temple is a highly religious pilgrimage destination of Hindus located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The famous Holy Cave Temple of Goddess Vaishno Devi lies near the township of Katra in Reasi District. The shrine soars at an altitude of 5300 ft on the folds of the Trikuta Mountain (three peaked mountain). The entire cave is about 98 feet long and Mata is seen manifested in three natural rock formations called the Pindies. The three forms represent 3 different attributes namely Maha Kali (Tam Guna – Fight against the evil/darkness), Maha Lakshmi (Raj Guna – Wealth and Prosperity) and Maha Saraswati (Stava Guna – Wisdom and Knowledge).
The imprints of numerous gods and goddesses are sited from the entrance of the Vaishno Devi Mandir itself. From the base the Pindis, water spurts out and flows outside the sacred cave. This stream is known as Charan Ganga and people take spiritual bath here before entering the temple. Vaishno Devi Maa Temple is the 2nd most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati.
Temple Deities
The presiding deity Vaishno Devi Maa is in the shape of a natural rock formation which is 5.6 ft tall with three heads called the ‘Pindies’. There are no idols, statues, or photographs inside the main darshan cave. However, there are many pictures in the Holy Bhawan which houses the Sanctum Sanctorum to explain the nature of Vaishno Devi darshan to devotees. While one journeys through the cave, one can see manifestations of various Hindu gods like Vakrathunda Ganesha, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Goddess Annapurna, 14 ft long boulder symbolizing the body of Bhairo Nath, an image of Lord Hanuman (Veer Langura), the hood of Shesh Nag, symbols of Shankh, Chakra, Gada and Padma, images of Lord Pashupati Nath, images of five Pandavas, the Sapta Rishi, images of divine cow Kamadhenu, Brahma and Vishnu, Siva and Parvati, and Sher Ka Panja (paws of a lion).
Temple Timings and Pooja Services
Vaishno Devi Temple is open round the clock for darshan. Vaishno Devi Maa Aarti is performed twice daily – one in the morning just before sunrise and in the evening just after sunset. Devotees can perform special Shraddha Suman Vishesh Pooja on payment.
Temple Festivals
Navratri is the major festival celebrated at Vaishno Devi Mandir.
How to Reach
One can reach the town Katra which is 50 km away from Jammu. Devotees have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. Pilgrimages have to collect the ‘Yatra Parchi’ (Journey Slip) for darshan from Katra to proceed to the Bhavan.
Jammu Airport is the nearest airport to reach the temple. A recently completed railway line connects Katra with Udhampur.
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