The
visit to this Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine at Trikuta mountains (three peaks), Katra in Jammu & Kashmir was a part of the AMARNATH JI yatra on 05th
July 2014. This was a continuation of Yatra to Kailash and Chardham ( Yamunothri,
Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath ), with the same Group, but with a change of
Travel agency. The main itinerary in this Amarnath yatra includes
Shiv Khori Cave, Shri Vaishno Devi Cave, Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Amritsar,
Wagah border and Shri Raghunath Temple Jammu.
Presiding
deity : Mata Vaishno Devi
Mata Shri Vaishno Devi is in the form of 3 heads / pindies on a natural rock about
5.5 feet tall inside the cave. The three pindies have a common base at the
bottom. The three heads are called the holy pindies. The entire rock body is
immersed in the water and a marble platform was constructed later. The three
Pindies each are distinctively different from the other two in color
and texture. The three Pindies represent Maha Kali (Right), Maha Lakshmi (Middle), and Maha Saraswathi (Left). There are no statues, Pictures, or
Idols. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is considered to be an
incarnation of the above supreme energies.
ARCHITECTURE
All along the trek and at Bhawan there are many Photographs explaining the
nature of darshan inside the holy cave are displayed. The inlet and outlet to
the caves are constructed with marble. Two additional tunnels are created, to
enable the devotee's quick darshan. The entrance to the cave is 98 feet. There
are about 6 Q complexes with priority for darshans.
There
is a Shiva shrine in a cave, a level below Shri Mata Vaishno Devi’s Cave. Ram,
Lakshman, and Sita temple with Sri Anjaneya in front was constructed at a later
stage.
Looking from the trek path we could see the temple complex like a multi-storey
building.
HISTORY
The
cave was discovered about 700 years ago by Pandit Shridhar. One day, Mata Vaishno Devi came in Sridhar’s
dream and told him, where she was on the hill. Sridhar followed her instructions
and identified her. Mata Vaishno Devi gave darshan to her 4 sons and blessed
them. Even today, his descendants take care of Mata Vaishno Devi.
The
temple activities are being maintained by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board ( SMSVDB ), established in 1986.
A Rope car way to reach 5200 feet altitude, a 12 km stretch from Katra was
established at a cost of 55.77 lakhs, and started functioning on 24th,
December 2018, for the benefit of
pilgrims ( Rs 100 was charged initially ). The ropeway will transport 1000
Devotees per hour. This will cover the
Bhairon Mandir also.
A
stampede occurred on January 1st, 2022, resulting in 12 people lost
their lives and 16 others injured. This was due to a scuffle between the two groups. It
was said that suffocation was the main
reason for the death.
LEGENDS
It
is believed that unless Mata Shri Vaishno Devi calls, we cannot have the
Darshan at this Holy cave. This is the place where Mata’s skull was fallen, hence
it is believed that this is one of the Sakthi Peedams.
It
is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine existed before the epic Mahabharat
period. As per the legend, Krishna advised Arjuna to worship Devi before going
to the Kurukshetra war. Devi appeared
before him in the form of Mata Vaishno Devi and blessed him. Arjuna praised
Mata Vaishno Devi as the highest Yogin, immortal, mother of all Vedas, the science of
Vedandhas, the Giver of Victory, and this place as Jambhu. It is believed that
the name Jambhu has been corrupted to the present name of Jammu. It is believed
that Pancha Pandavas constructed temples for Vaishno Devi opposite to the hill and 5 rocks opposite to
the cave are believed to be of Pancha Pandavas.
In
another legend, The tantric Bhairon Natha happened to the Young Vaishno Devi, who fell in love and chased her. Mata Vaishno Devi assumed the form of Durga and
cut off the head of Bhairon Nath, in this cave. In another version of the same
legend, Mata Vaishno Devi, asked Sridhar to arrange a feast for the Locals near
Bhumika stream. In that, Bhairon Nath also joined and demanded meat and
liquor. Mata Vaishno Devi told him that the feast was for the Brahmins and only
vegetarian food would be served. On seeing young Mata Vaishno Devi, Bhairon Nath
lusted on her and chased her. To escape from him, Mata Vaishno Devi, came to this
cave after stopping at Banganaga, Charan Paduka, Ardh Kunwari, and finally Bhawan in the Trikuta hills. It is
believed that Mata Vaishno Devi stayed for about 9 months in this cave and
finally killed Bhairon Nath by cutting off his head. Bhairon Nath prayed to Mata
to pardon him. Mata Vaishno Devi granted him salvation and a temple was
constructed midway to this Cave for him. It is believed that the Vaishno Devi
yatra will be fulfilled only after the darshan of Bhairon Nath.
DARSHAN PROCEDURES AND FACILITIES
Dharshan,
poojan, accommodation, and Helicopter travel from the base of the Hill have to be
reserved through the official website of the Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (
SMVDSB ). The final stretch of 3 KM from the helipad to Holy Cave, has to be
walked or a dolly is available. A Ropeway
was established in 2021 from the base of the Hill to transport 1000 devotees
per hour.
A locker facility is available to lock the valuables on showing the Id card free of
charge. Camera and Mobile are not allowed inside the Holy cave. Each person is checked for security before
entering the holy cave. Even the prasad is being distributed by the security
personnel.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular daily poojas, special poojas are conducted during Navratri days (
September – October ), Deepavali, etc.
On all Navratri nights, all leading artists from our country will perform at
Vaishno Devi Darbar. Devotees used to
offer traditional mangal materials like Chunri ( red color drape),
Sarees, Dry fruits, Silver and Gold ornaments, Cholas, and flowers.
CONTACT DETAILS
Official
Web site: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/index.aspx
Phone
number 01991 234 053
HOW TO REACH
Mata
Vaishno Devi Cave is about 13 KM from Katra Town.
The nearest
Railway station is Katra and the nearest airport is Jammu (63 km).
LOCATION OF THE CAVE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
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