Mata Vaishno Devi – Overview
Vaishno Devi is a form of Devi, the Hindu Mother Goddess, also known by the names Mata Rani, Trikuta, Ambe, and Vaishnavi. The terms “Maa” and “Mata,” which are widely used to refer to mothers in India, are commonly associated with Vaishno Devi. The combined forces of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati created Vaishnavi.
One of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in India is the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, which is located in the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. In order to receive Mata Vaishno Devi’s blessings, devotees travel from all over the world to visit this temple. Since it is thought that the skull of the goddess Sati fell here, it is also regarded as one of the most significant Shaktipeeths.
For Hindus, visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is one of the most significant holy pilgrimages. Since the deity of this temple, is said to grant her devotees’ wishes, the temple is well-known around the world.
The pilgrims must make a nearly 12-kilometer trip beginning in Katra to reach this holy cave, which is situated at a height of 5,200 feet. When visitors arrive at Bhawan, they are graced with the opportunity to see the goddess in the Holy Cave. The goddess in this cave is represented by three naturally occurring “Pindies,” or rock formations.
Mata Vaishno Devi Pindi Darshan
History of Mata Vaishno Devi
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact beginning of the pilgrimage to this holy site, as is the case with most ancient sanctuaries. According to geological analysis, this holy cave is approximately a million years old. This sacred cavern was initially mentioned in the Mahabharata epic.
On the guidance of Shri Krishna, Arjun meditated at Kurukshetra during the fight between the Pandavas and the Kauravas in order to obtain blessings for success. The mother goddess is addressed at this point as “Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye,” “you who constantly reside in the shrine on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo (referring to the state of Jammu).
As a gesture of gratitude to the mother Goddess, it is also thought that the Pandavas were the ones who initially constructed the Kol Kandoli Temple and the main Bhawan.
Although there are many different accounts of how Shri Mata Vaishno Devi came to be, it is generally accepted that this shrine was discovered over 700 years ago. According to a Pandit Shridhar tale that is incredibly well-known, this is the case.
According to the narrative, Mata Vaishno Devi assisted in planning a Bhandaara at Pandit Shridhar’s home. As the narrative goes on, it is assumed that Mata fled amid the Bhandara in order to get away from Bhairon Nath was trying to follow her in order to test her power.
The goddess stopped at Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari before arriving to the cave, and Bhairon Nath followed her all the way. The goddess was convinced to execute him at that point, and he was beheaded outside the cave.
This head reached a distant mountaintop with force. He cried out in prayer after realizing all his efforts were in vain. He was pardoned by Mata Vaishno Devi, who also bestowed upon him the blessing that every devotee coming to the cave must also stop by to see Bhairon.
Vaishnavi made the decision to shed her human form at that precise moment, and it is believed that she merged into the rock. From that point on, Mata Vaishnavi appears in the cave as the “Pindies,” a five-and-a-half-foot tall rock with three heads.
Returning to Pandit Shridhar, we learn that he experienced overwhelming sadness, stopped drinking and eating, and fervently prayed for Mata Vaishno Devi to return. He is said to have had a dream in which Mata Vaishnavi directed him to look for her at the Holy Cave in the center of Trikuta Mountain and also pointed out the route. She insisted that he end his fast as well.
Pandit Shridhar continued searching for the Holy Cave in the mountains after having that dream, and he eventually located it. He observed three rock formations with skulls on top of them inside the cave.
According to the passage, Mata Vaishnavi appeared in front of him at that precise moment in all her splendor and also presented him to those rock formations. These structures are now referred to as “Pindies.”
When Mata Calls (Mata ka Bulava)
The Call of Mata signals the beginning of the journey to this Holy Shrine. Many pilgrims strongly believe that Maa Vaishnavi summons her children and that when she does, they are compelled to come to the Shrine from wherever they may be. In addition, it is also thought that no one can enter the Shrine without a summon, or “Bulawa.”
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How to Get to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
A devotee can now visit Vaishno Devi’s sacred temple in a number of ways. The closest airport and train station are in Jammu. There is a 13-kilometer route that connects the shrine to the Base Camp in Katra.
One might choose to walk on foot, hire horses or palkhies, or take the mountain bus from Katra to Bhawan (a type of palanquin).
In order to better serve worshippers, the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has recently started air taxi and helicopter services between Jammu, Katra, and Sanjichat. These services are, of course, dependent on the local weather.
Additional Temples Near Mata Vaishno Devi
There are numerous historic temples and tourist attractions. between Katra and Bhawan, a 13-kilometer span. The closest one to Katra is Banganga, which is located a mile away. One may take a holy bath in the nearby river and benefit from the Langar (free meal service).
The second stop is roughly 2.5 kilometers away from Banganga and is the Charanpaduka Temple. Before moving on to the Trikuta Hills, the Goddess is supposed to have taken a little nap here. Due to the presence of the deity’s footprints, this location bears that name. Charanpaduka is located 3 kilometers away from Adkuwari. Before going to the shrine, devotees typically spend the night here.
The Adkuwari Temple and Gerbhjoon, a historic cave where the Devi is said to have spent nine months hiding from Bhairon Nath, are also located in this area.
Sanjichat, the next destination, is located around 4 kilometers from Adkuwari. From here, visitors can enjoy a beautiful aerial view of Katra, Udhampur, Reasi, and Jammu. This is the track’s highest point.
The final 2.5 kilometers are a downhill trek that brings you to Bhawan, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi’s highly regarded shrine. Devotees must next travel to the Bhairon Nath temple, which is nearby on a connecting track to the main Bhawan-Sanjichat track, after completing their darshan in the main shrine. This path continues into a forested area that is home to many monkeys, wild animals, and birds.
In addition to the aforementioned shrines, the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is not far from Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh Dham. During Kartik Poornima, this Dham is unusually filled with worshippers. Devotees undertake a unique Deep-Daan (candle donation) rite in front of Mata Vaishno Devi and Mata Annapoorna on this specific occasion.
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