Legend
As legend goes, more than 700 years ago, Vaishno Devi, a
devotee of Lord Vishnu had taken a vow of celibacy. Bhairon
Nath, a tantric, using his tantric powers, was able to see
her going towards the Trikuta mountains and chased her. The
goddess feeling thirsty at Banganga, 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. The
Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adhkawari. It took
Bhairon Nath nine months to locate her, and this cave is
called Garbh Joon. She kept 'Veer-Langur' on guard outside the
cave and asked him not to allow Bhairon to enter the cave.
When Bhairon Nath tried to force an entry to the cave,
Veer-Langur offered resistance and a terrific battle started.
Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave
with her trident when Bhairon located her.
Thereafter Devi took the form of goddess 'Chandi and beheaded
Bhairon Nath, whose skull was flung up the mountain by the
force of the blow and fell at a place now known as Bhairon
Ghati. Beheaded Bhairon now prayed to Mata for mercy and was
granted a boon of liberation. She said, "My devotees will
visit your place after they have come to me for 'darshan'."
The desires of devotees will be fulfilled, if they visit your
place. A temple has been constructed at the spot where
Bhairon's head fell. Accordingly, the pilgrims visit Bhairon
temple after offering prayers at Mata's cave.
The Yatra
It is mandatory to obtain a slip from the Yatra Registration
Counter at the Tourism Reception Centre, Katra Bus Stand,
without which, crossing of Banganga check-post is not
permitted. The yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to
cover 13 km. of terrain on foot to reach the shrine. At
Banganga, a kilometre away from the starting point is a
security checkpost. After 6 km of trekking, you reach
Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months.
Most devotees catch a breath at Sanji Chatt after 9.5 km of
walking. Accommodation is also available at this place. The
shrine is just 3.5 km away. By showing your yatra slip at the
registration office at the Bhawan, you are given a number,
which will determine your place in the queue for darshan.
At the Bhavan there is provision for bathing, and for keeping
your belongings in safe custody, as leather items are not
permitted. Blankets are also available at a refundable
deposit.
Prasad, "chunari" and coconuts can be bought from shops
situated at the entrance of the Bhawan. In case of
overcrowding, you might have to wait patiently in a queue
according to your batch number. Before entering the cave, the
coconut has to be deposited against a token. The whole valley
reverberates with the chanting of "Jai Mata di".
According to legend, the boulder at the mouth of the holy cave
is the petrified torso of Bhairon who was granted divine
forgiveness by the benevolent Mata in his dying moments.
Inside the cave, there are three natrual pindis of Maha
Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali which represent the
creative, preservative and destructive aspects of the divine
energy images of three deities - Mahakali, Maa Saraswati and
Maa Lakshmi. The holy Ganga's cold and crystal clear water
washes the lotus feet of the Mata's 'Pindian'. Previously the
shrine had only one natural entry cave, but now two more exit
caves have been constructed. Remember to collect your coconut
here.
Bhairon Mandir
It is believed that the journey to Mata's shrine is complete
only after visiting the shrine of Bhairon, 2.5 km from the
Bhawan, on your way back. You have to collect your belongings
before going to this shrine, as the return path from the
Bhairon shrine joins the main path at Sanji Chatt.
Do's and Don'ts
Pithus (or porters) can be hired for carrying your luggage.
Those who have problems climbing, can hire the services of a
pony or dandi (palenquin). It is advised that you should avail
of the services of only registered people, whether it be
porters, pony or dandiwallas and keep their token for the time
period they are engaged.
Missing persons can be located through the public address
systems from the counters at Katra, Banganga, Adhkawari and
Darbar.
The entire 13 km route is quite wide and tiled. Besides, the
whole path is lit up every night by powerful sodium vapour
lamps. Avoid overstraining on the climb. The track is
preferable to the stairs.
Receipts for all payments made to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine Board as well as private vendors are available and
should be insisted on. Official rate lists for all services
are available. Use only the donation boxes provided at various
places by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. In case of donations
at the donation counters of the Board at Katra (Central
Office/ Vishram Ghar), Adhkawari, Sanji Chatt and various
points at the Bhawan obtain a formal receipt. Note that
donations to the Shrine are exempt from Income Tax under the
Income Tax Act.
Luggage and belongings should not be deposited with
unauthorised persons or left unguarded at the bathing ghats.
To maintain the sanctity of the place, please refrain fromn
gambling, playing cards, smoking or chewing betel (Paan) at
the Bhawan or en route. Do not stick posters or disfigure
signboards, or litter anwhere. Containers have been provided
for throwing rubbish and other waste. Please show all possible
consideration to fellow pilgrims. Avoid playing
transistors/tape recorders, or creating hindrance in movement
along passage ways.
Amenities Offered
The whole route is swept and cleaned several times every day.
Shelters and cafeterias are set up throughout the route. Pure
vegetarian food is available at these outlets. Price charts
are exhibited prominently. Drinking water has been made
available all along the route, with water coolers and storage
facilities. Public utilities with automatic flushing systems
are located all along the track and at the Bhawan. Qualified
doctors are available round the clock at the Primary Health
Centre, Katra, Adhkawari and Bhawan. The Evening Clinic at
Katra Bus Stand is open from 2 pm to 8 pm.
General Information
Accommodation
Jammu
Yatri Niwas is managed by the Shrine Board. Various private
hotels are also available, the room rent ranging from Rs.300/-
per day to Rs.3000/- per day.
Katra
At Katra, there are several options: Yatri Niwas managed by
the Shrine Board, rest houses maintained by the Jammu and
Kashmir Tourism Department, other hotels. Sarais, managed by
the Shrine Board offer free accommodation at Adhkawari, Sanji
Chatt and Darbar. Dharamshalas, run by various organisations
offer inexpensive accommodation to pilgrims.
How to Get There
Air
Daily flights are available from Delhi and Srinagar to Jammu.
These flights (Indian Airlines) connect Chandigarh and
Amritsar on specific days of the week. Jet Airways also flies
to Jammu from Delhi via Srinagar.
Rail
By rail, Jammu is directly connected with most major cities in
the country.
Road
Jammu is the terminus of a large number of Inter State Bus
Services. Buses leave for Katra every 10 minutes from the main
bus stand at Jammu between 5.30 am to 8.30 pm. JKSRTC runs
buses and luxury coaches from the Jammu railway station to
Katra. Private taxis are also available for hire between Jammu
and Katra, from Jammu Airport, Jammu Railway Station and the
Tourist Reception Centre at Jammu.
Pilgrimage Centres Around Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Shri Raghunath Temple - Jammu
Darshani Darwaza
Kol-Kandholi
Banganga Temple & Bridge
Duja Darshan - Devamayi
Charan Paduka Temple
Shali Gram
Adi Kumari
Agar Baba Jitoo
Hathi-Matha Ascent
Sanji Chatt
Shri Raghu-Nath Temple - Katra
Bhumika Temple
New Cave.
Best Season
The shrine is visited throughout the year, but owing to
snowfall in winter, it can get difficult. The heaviest rush is
during the Navratra periods in March-April and
September-October.
Clothing
Light woollens required at night during the summer months.
Heavy woollens required during the remaining part of the year.
Tourist Offices
Mumbai
Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Office
25, North Wing, World Trade Centre,
Cuffe Parade, Colaba,
Mumbai-400005, India.
Tel : +91-22-2189040/2186172
Jammu
Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Office,
Vir Marg, Jammu-180001, India
Tel: +91-0191-544527/548172
For any suggestions/complaints, you can write to :
The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board, Katra, J&K, India
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Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva
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