Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra, Jammu

Hello friends, Today I’m going to share my personal experience about my last visit to Mata Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi is a shrine in Jammu at Katra city. Vaishno Devi is a temple located in the Trikuta Hills of Katra city.

The temple is 14 km from the main city in between the hills. The path is very tough and most of the people cover this distance by foot. There are ponies avaliable for those who cannot walk. Now, chopper service had already been started by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) for the devotees who cannot walk.

Jammu to Katra distance is around 48km. People can reach Katra by bus, by train and by cars easily. Then the visitors have to take a pass from the Katra, then start their journey. On the way, the first place is ‘Bhanganga‘ where there is Ganga river flowing. The visitors take bath in the scared river and then start walking onwards. The first darshan on the way is ‘Charan Paduka‘ where the footprints of Mata Vaishno are printed.

Then comes the ‘Adhkuwari‘. There is a small tight cave where where it is belived that Mata Vaishno have stayed for nine months. After Adhkuwari, there is auto service available for the weak, handicapped and ladies. There are two ways onwards from Adhkuwari temple. You can choose anyone. There are lots of shops all over the way. At last, we reach the Mata Vaishno Dhawan where there are the ‘Pindis‘ of Mata Vaishno, Mata Saraswati and Mata Kali.

There are so many bhawans where visitors can stay very conveniently. There is a tight security there for the safety of visitors. After performing the darshan, people feel highly blessed. Then there is a temple after Bhawan known as ‘Bhairo‘ Temple. It is said that the journey is not considered complete until the devotee pays his darshan at Bhairo temple. This temple is 3 km from the Bhawan at a hight. After performing darshan, the journey is felt as completed. Then the devotee can return to their homes happily feeling blessed.

Katra to Delhi Train

Keeping in view the problems of reservation in trains during Navratri, the Railways decided to run the second Vande Bharat Express between Katra to Delhi. This Katra to Delhi train start its journey from New Delhi at 6 in the morning and from Katra in return, it runs at 3 in the afternoon.