Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir

Description of the Pilgrims –

Vaishno Devi is one of the holiest Hindu Pilgrimage site which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The temple is located around 12 km away from Katra in the Udhampur district. Vaishno Devi temple is situated at an altitude of 1615 m on the Trikuta Hills of Shivalik Range. Pilgrims, especially Hindus from all over the world visit Vaishno Devi making it the second most visited shrine in India after Tirupati Balaji Mandir. Undertake Vaishno Devi yatra to get awestruck by three rock cut statues in the 100 feet long cave. Inside the Vaishno Devi temple, middle one represents Goddess Lakshmi, right statue represents Goddess Kali and left one represents Goddess Saraswati. All kind of people, whether they are rich or poor, young or old, sick or healthy take the challenging trek from Katra to get to this holy place. Just join any group that is climbing to the cave and feel the devotion run down your body with every breath you take. The groups sing religious songs praising the goddess non stop till they reach the top. It is just an amazing experience to see so many people devoted to their devotion to the Goddess. There are many tea stalls and Dhabas along the way where you can stop for a while and take rest. On your Vaishno Devi tours, while resting or even while walking, just look around for the resplendent scenic beauty that surrounds you.

Legend Associated To The Vaishno Devi Temple

Every year thousands of devotees plan Vaishno Devi yatra to seek blessings of Goddess Vaishno Devi. She is considered to be the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Kali. The main reason of birth of Vaishno Devi was the destruction of Demon Mahishasura. The divine girl was born to a man called Ratnakar who named her Vaishnavi. She was brighter than all other children of her age, in fact, at a young age itself, she acquired more knowledge than many famous scholars. She renounced all worldly ties and went into deep jungles for meditating. She used to worship Lord Vishnu and on directions of Lord Rama, she built an ashram for meditating. Soon, a man called Bhairon Nath came to know about her and when he saw her, he was smitten by her beauty and grace. He started to pester her to marry him. Vaishnavi decided to run away to jungles to evade him. After long time of this hide and seek, she confronted him on the entrance of a cave and beheaded him. Bhairon Nath after death realized his mistake and prayed for forgiveness. He was forgiven by the Goddess and was blessed that every devotee who comes to worship her will also have to visit the temple of Bhairon Nath without which their Vaishno Devi yatra will be incomplete. Vaishnavi then left her human body and become a rock statue and went into meditation.

Puja materials to be used for your Puja –

1. Flower garlands
2. Coconut
3. Mouli or Kalawa
4. Diya
5. Ghee
6. Dhoop sticks
7. Ganga water
8. Akshat (Rice)
9. Mauli (Red Cotton Thread)
10. Abeer

Puja Procedure/ Vidhi – Puja will be performed with normal Puja Vidhi applicable for the temple and God/Goddess.

Hawan procedures – Hawan will be performed as per proper Vidhi only on special request.

Ahuti / Abhishek – On especial request. Please mention it with the request.

Puja Prasad / Puja Photo /Video – We will perform Puja with your Name and Gotra and will send you Puja Photo/Video either by Post or by email. It is also a proof that Puja is performed in your Name.