My Vaishnav Devi Trip

Hi Friends here I am again to write about my personal travel experiences on various places in India. I have been to many places when I was a kid and my dad was a traveling freak. I don't remember much about all those places because it was just like a weekend outing fun for me and my brother. So I have decided to visit all those places again and appreciate the beauty of India and catch it in my eyes forever.

This time I am heading towards Jammu Tavi to see the sacred temple of Mata Vaishnav Devi. I remember I have been there twice with my family. First time when I was 5 years old and staying in Katni and second time when I was 7 years old and I was staying in Jabalpur. Both the time we took a train till Delhi and then changed to another train that goes till "Jammu Tavi". Jammu Tavi is the closest railway station around 50 k.m. from "Katra". Katra is the place of hault for the travellers who want to see Vaishnav Devi. The journey from Jammu to Katra can be done through private or public transport. I remember I vomited 5-6 times when we were in a bus from Jammu Tavi towards Katra. Buses moves like a roller coaster ride and the very experienced bus drivers forget that new comers are not use to it (I was not alone who vomited, my parents keep telling me when they talk about those trips). During this ride one can see the clouds flying below bus or the buses flying above clouds.

Commutation and accomodation is not a problem in Jammu because tourism is the main business there. People who own houses in Jammu build extra rooms for letting them on rent for the tourists. It is cheap and convenient, but for those who need extra care can book hotels in Katra.

Journey from Katra towards Vaishnav Devi Temple is a sacred journey. Admirer of Mata Vaishnav Devi walk for more than 25 k.m to reach the temple. People who are unable to walk can hire ponies, horses and palanquins etc. With a normal walking speed one can reach within 10 hours to the temple. Some more time can be added in the journey for the holy walk in "Ardhkumari Cave". It is said that goddess Vaishnav Devi stayed at this cave for 9 months to gain special powers for destroying the existance of a devil. One has to walk over the thread of fresh and chill water flowing through the cave. Ardhkumari is half the distance between Katra and Vaishnav Devi Temple.

It is said by the people that after godess Vaishnav Devi sliced the head of Devil Bhairav, his head fell some distance away from his body and it preyed with godess not to defame his existence on this earth because he has devoted his whole life worshipping godess Kaali (another part of Mata Shakti like Vaishnav Devi). Godess Vaishnav Devi agreed to his this plea and that place where his head was fallen became another holy place called as Bhairav Baba temple. The journey of Vaishnav Devi doesnt completes unless one has been to the temple of Bhairav Baba.

The final place Vaishnav Devi Temple is the place where godess Vaishnav Devi fought with and killed Devil Bhairav. Lakhs of people from all over the India come to this place to admire the power of godess Vaishnav Devi and request her to kill evil energies inside them. Three stone balls are placed inside the temple as an image of godess Shakti (better half of lord Shiva according to Hindi mythology), godess Kaali (a part of godess Shakti) and Vaishnav Devi (another part of godess Shakti).

Before entering the temple people take bath in the icy water flowing from the top of the hill. They think it is the purest bath of their life. After taking bath people move forward to see the stone balls which represents the limitless power of God.

There are facilities of staying at the hilltop at night in dharma shalas and hotels. It is always very cold at the hilltop in any season because ice glaciers are very close to this place. I am not going to go during cold season anyway because the breeze flowing from northern region in this season is very dangerous. It is good to go during summers because at that time breeze flow stops from northern region.

I dont know when I will visint any new place in India, but I will keep writing about the places where I have visited and forget to write about them.