The Sacred Hindu shrine Mata Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir
Every step I took on the path of the holy Hindu shrine, Mata Vaishno Devi, present in Jammu & Kashmir, India, I felt an impervious wave of positive energy enveloping me, urging me onwards with her permission. The strength, serenity, and purity that emanated from this divine place astonished me, bowing my head in reverence as a devotee of Goddess Vaishnavi. I acknowledge no one can go to the temple unless goddess Vaishno invites them.
The magnificent surroundings of a breathtaking altitude of 5200 feet left me speechless. The mesmerizing view of greenery, mountains, haze and glossy sky connected to my soul and purged me wholly. It seemed like the entire atmosphere served as a true testament to the sacred presence of the Goddess.
On the consummation of the mountain, a majestic view of three Pinds in a shrine representing Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati alongside the gorgeous Trikuta mountains appeased me. According to Sanatan holy scriptures, the history of these three Pindis took place in the Treta Era around two million years ago.
In Treta Yug, a great Devotee of Lord Mahadev, Bhairavnath, fell in love with Goddess Vaishnavi. He trailed the Goddess Vaishnavi everywhere. To escape Bhairavnath, Goddess Vaishnavi hid in the Trikuta hills. She warned Bhairavnath numerous times, but he was stubborn towards his desires. Then, Goddess Vaishnavi angrily came to her spacious form. Her eight hands carried a sword, trident, lotus, arrow and bow, discus, mace, conch and a blessing hand. She beheaded Bhairvnath with her sword. Bhairavnath's head was fallen on the peak of the Trikuta Mountain.
Goddess Vaishnavi knew the truth. She understood Bhairav did this sinful act for salvation. She forgave Bhairavnath and blessed him with a boon. The boon says that every devotee who completes the voyage of Vaishno Devi must also visit the Bhairavnath temple.
After that Goddess Vaishnavi lived in the Trikuta Mountains in an invisible form. She is meditating there to marry Lord Vishnu's tenth Avatar, lord Kalki. It is the belief that the Goddess blesses her devotees and takes every grief of them. Devotees feel her presence, and I also experienced it.
When Goddess Vaishnavi took an invisible form, three supreme Goddesses- Goddess Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati were proud to see her justice. They boon Goddess Vaishnavi, that they would also live with her as three Pinds. Therefore, devotees witness three Pinds in the shrine.
The place where Baba Bhairavnath's temple is established is 2-3 km high altitude from Mata Vaishnavi's shrine. Devotees can use stairs, an inclined path or a ropeway to reach there. But it must you should visit.
I had used a ropeway. It is justified to convey that Baba Bhairavnath temple and the atmosphere from the high altitude gave me goosebumps- foggy, greenery, peaks, birds, weather, and animals. You will feel like it is possible to touch the sky. The rain was ensuing shortly. It is obvious to rain constantly.
I visited the temple of Baba Bhairavnath, where his head was dropped in the Treta Era. Now, there is a statue. I saw his armoury- Trident and sword and put the ash on my forehead as his blessing.
After visiting BhairavNath temple, I came near Goddess's shrine. There, I read about "Prachin Shiv Gufa." My steps automatically pulled towards experiencing that holy place.
After some downstairs, soon my sight met with the shivling in a cave, and continuous water cascaded down on them. It filled my heart with Awe and also reinforced my belief in the existence of true love.
Shiv-shakti(Lord Mahadev and Goddess Parvati) always live together, and that view verifies where Adishakti(Nature) reside, Lord Mahadev is also present there.
The Divine Place Mata Vaishno Devi pulled me to get more knowledge about spirituality. It taught me righteousness, patience and meditation. And robust my trust in the existence of the Goddess. It was an unforgettable experience for me.
I started my journey of Mata Vaishno Devi at midnight 2 am and finished it the next afternoon at Baba Bhairavnath's temple. And, around 10 pm back to my hotel. Hotels in Katra are effortlessly available at affordable prices. They have impressive maintenance and cleanliness.
The time of the entire trip may vary, depending on devotees. I preferred to complete my journey by trekking, but the government also provides many facilities like helicopter rides, cab rides, ropeway, animal rides like horses and donkeys, ambulators for kids, etc. Many sticks are available for support if you prefer trekking.
There are three ways to reach Trikuta Mountain to visit the holy temple- Tarakote Marg, Banganga Marg and the old cave. Each path has its own merits and demerits.
Tarakote Marg is a new trekking path with shelter along the way. I had used the Tarakote path to step up.
Tarakote Marg is 2km longer than Banganga Marg but less inclined and slippery than two. The advantages of this path are its cleanness, countless benches, appropriate water facilities, hygienic washrooms, decorated grassland, stairs between mountains, spiritual music and less crowd. You can walk with bare feet. Many pretty birds like parrots, Mynas, peacocks, babblers, Turkey, etc. are visible there. Also, it is the home of animals like deer, leopards, monkeys and Langurs. The view of vegetation from a height might frighten you but attract you. Tarakote Path has only a few shops for food items, but langar facilities are available. The disadvantage of this way is there are no facilities of coolies, horses, ambulators, and shopping.
I used the Banganga path to step down. Banganga Path has the benefits of coolies, horses, ambulators, spiritual music, and countless colourful shops offering religious souvenirs, and it's only 4-5 km long. The view of Banganga River cherishes the day. Its prolonged mountains, their greenery and their cloudy climate touch the soul. The drawbacks are the entire way is a little muddy, populated, more inclined, and clamorous. Sometimes, it becomes unbearable.
Banganga also hides a beautiful story behind it.
According to the scriptures, Goddess Vaishnavi moved towards the North for an unflappable place for contemplation. She was meditating in a cave. Lord Ram was in search of her wife, Goddess Sita. He saw a luminous light coming from a cave. Curiously, Lord Ram forwarded his steps and met a magnificent energy. Goddess Vaishnavi comprehended that he is Vishnu's Avtar Lord Ram. Goddess Vaishnavi talked with Lord Ram. Lord Ram promised to marry Goddess Vaishnavi in his next birth(Lord Kalki).
Goddess Vaishnavi was alone in the forest, and Lord Ram was concerned about her safety, so he gave his bow and arrow. Lord Ram said that soon he would send someone to protect her.
Then, when Baba Bhairavnath followed the Goddess, Lord Hanuman came to protect her. Firstly, Lord Hanuman was confused about the Goddess, so to assure himself, he told Goddess Vaishnavi that he is thirsty.
Goddess understood the situation of Lord Hanuman. She used the same bow and arrow of Lord Ram to make a hole in the mountains. Soon, River Ganga began streaming. On that incident, this holy place was named "Banganga." "Ban" means "arrow," and "Ganga" means "River," "the Ganga created by an arrow."
Banganga
After seeing the weapon of his lord Ram, Lord Hanuman accepted only an eternal energy could hold that. It is a faith that Lord Hanuman protects the Goddess in Kaliyug.
The third route to reach above is an old cave. It is the same cave used by Goddess Vaishnavi to hide herself from Baba Bhairavnath. The cave is very dark, narrow, and rugged. It has remained closed most of the year. Only open on some festivals, performing rituals or less crowd. Usually, from January to March. For devotees who get this chance, it becomes a life-changing experience for them.
The two routes, Tarakote and Banganga, meet at a point, Ardhkunwari, but the old cave goes directly above. Devotees can either trek from Ardhkunwari or afford cabs for the next 8-9 kilometres.
If devotees want to take a chopper, then visit Katra Helipad. The helicopter will drop you off at the Sanjichat Helipad. After that, devotees trek 2-3km to visit Maa Vaishno Shrine. Phones are restricted at the shrine, so remember to submit them in a locker with their essentials.
I believe that once a devotee starts their journey, Goddess Vaishnavi helps in every possible way. You will feel like a positive energy encourages you to step up.
Every religious place has its holiness, serenity and perspicuity, and it is the reason for experiencing unimaginable changes in myself.
Please, don't trust me; trust your experience. Add Mata Vaishno Devi's trip to your list and become a witness of the holy Sanatan shrine. I assure you, the energy you will feel there forever abides with you.
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