Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi is a one of the holiest places visited by Hindu Pilgrims from all over the world. Vaishno Devi or Goddess of Shakti is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Kali. The Vaishno Devi Temple dedicated to her is situated in Kashmir in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, about 12 km from Katra.

According to legend, she was born to a man called Ratnakar in order to destroy the demon Mahishasura. Named Vaishnavi, she was extremely promising from a very young age. More learned and scholarly then others of age, she soon wanted to renounce the worldly things and went for meditation in the jungles.

It is also believed that she was guided by Lord Ram on how to construct an ashram for meditation. But, then a man named Bhairon Nath started to pester her to marry him. Ultimately after a long time of evading him, she beheaded him.

He begged for repentance, and was forgiven. A temple was built in his name beside that of Vaishnavi, and he was blessed by Vaishnavi that every devotee coming to worship her will also worship him.

Soon after this, Vaishnavi’s body took the form of a stone statue for eternal meditation. What most visiting pilgrim sees today is a 100 feet long cave, with three statues. The centre statue is that of Goddess Lakshmi; on the right is a statue of Goddess Kali and on the left is that of Goddess Saraswati.

All tourists undertaking the Yatra have to register themselves and get a Yatra slip, without which you will not be able to cross the various check posts en route. You need to mention the number of people travelling with you and the mode of your transportation.

Reaching the cave of Vaishno Devi will require some trek. There is no direct train that will bring you here. The nearest railhead and airport is at Jammu, from where regular buses and taxis ply to and fro to Vaishno Devi.