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 wellEvery 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. View of Vaishnodeviji from Bhavan 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 manyPopular 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. 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". 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 toAs 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 moreAccordingly, 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 aBhairon, the demon God took a fancy toBut 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. which is marked by the imprints of her feet, is the place where meditated in the cave at Adh Kanwari. nine months to locate her, which is why the cave is known as
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 persistent and followed her there to harass her. 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. 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. took up permanent abode in a cave in the Trikuta Mountains by metamorphosing herself in to three pindis (Rock). 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. Tamas Guna, Tamas meaning darkness. 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 limitlessMaha Lakshmi represents Rajas Guna, RajasIn this manifestation, the goddess blesses her devotees with wealth and prosperity for living a betterMaha Saraswati represents Sattav Guna, Sattav meaning wisdom and knowledge. 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. 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. receipts for all payments made to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine Board (SMV Shrine Board) as well as those made toDemand to see official rate lists when making donation boxes provided by the SMV Shrine Board. 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. shrine are exempt from income tax under the Income Tax Act. 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. straining yourself on the climb. Walk on the paved track, instead of the stairs. Do not relax at points where warningDo not break traffic discipline or try to over take others at difficult stretches. 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 sanctity of the place do not indulge in playing cards, smoking or chewing betel (paan) at Bhawan or enroute. stick posters or disfigure signboards, and also avoid are bound to you by their faith in the Mata. transistors or tape recorders too loudly or creating blockage or hindrances in the passages meant for circulation of the are available at the Primary Health Centre, Katra and at the dispensaries at Adhkawari and Bhawan, round the clock. 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. required at night even during summer. During the remaining parts of the year heavy woollens are require. Jammu, 48 kms from Katra, is the nearest airport, railhead and inter-state busBuses leave for Katra at 10 minute intervals between
5:30 a.m and 8:30 p.m. During peak season, additional buses are available both at Jammu and Katra for the journey. 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 Pawan Hans operates two flights daily from Jammu and 5 flights from Katra to Shrine. Capacity: 6 persons per flight. service stands discontinued for the time being) Katra town to Vaishno Devi (Durbar) is 13 kms, which has to be traversed by pony, �dandi� or on foot. 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.