Vaishno Devi

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Vaishno Devi Mandir

Name: Vaishno Devi Mandir
Creator: unknown
Date built: unknown
Primary deity: Vaishno Devi(Shakti)
Location: Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir

Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the hill of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. In Hinduism, Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.

Located near the town of Katra, in Udhampur district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Vaishno Devi temple is one of the most revered places of worship in northern India. At an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 12 kilometers (7.45 miles) from Katra, the shrine of Vaishno Devi is frequented every year by millions of pilgrims, making it the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirupati Balaji Mandir. The Shrine is maintained by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. A rail link from Udhampur to Katra is being built to facilitate pilgrimage.

Contents

[edit] Story

To know the history of the temple we must go back to Treta Yug when the virtuous people were tormented by the Asuras (demons) Ravana, Kumb-Karan, Khardooshan, Tadka and others. The Gods decided to create a divine personality, in the roop (form) of a girl for their protection. The divine girl asked the Gods the cause and reason for her birth. The divine forces told her that she had been created to protect Dharma and rekindle spirit of religion. She took birth in South India at the home of Ratnakar Sagar as a girl named Trikuta. Later the same girl was called Vaishno because of her taking birth from Lord Vishnu’s lineage. The religion propagated by this goddess girl was called Vaishno-Dharm.

In her lifetime Trikuta attracted many devoted followers including saints. The fame of her divine power and miracle spread far and wide. People started visiting the abode of Trikuta to get benediction.

After some time Trikuta sought permission from her father for taking penance on the seashore. She prayed to Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama who reached the seashore alongwith his army in search of Sita, his eyes fell on this divine girl in deep meditation. Rama asked Trikuta her name and reason for penance. She replied that she had accepted Rama as her husband by mind and heart.

On hearing this Ram told her that he had vowed to be faithful to wife. However, Ram ji wished that penance of Trikuta should no go waste and unfruitful. Therefore he said to her, “I will definitely come to see you in a disguised form. If you can recognise me at that time then I will accept you.”

It is said that on his return from Lanka, Lord Rama went to see the girl in the form of an old monk (Sadhu) but she did not recognise him as God.

He revealed his identity and assured Trikuta that in ‘Kaliyug’ he would manifest himself as ‘Kalki’ would marry her.

He asked Trikuta to meditate in Trikuta range of Manik Mountains, situated in north India. He said that Trikuta would become immortal forever and would become famous as ‘Vaishno Devi’.

One more thing is there, when you look the top view of Katra city from Adkuwari in night, the city sparkels in that way, that it seems like the Lion.

[edit] Legend

Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

According to Hindu mythology, Bhairav Nath, a selfish demon, chased a young girl, named Vaishno Devi, whom he believed was an incarnation of the Mother Goddess. While running away from Bhairav, Devi shot an arrow into the Earth from which water gushed out. The resultant river is known as Baanganga. It is believed that by taking a bath in Baanganga (Baan: Arrow), a believer of the Mother Goddess can wash away all his sins. The banks of the river, known as Charan Paduka, are marked by Devi's foot imprints, which remains intact till date. Vaishno Devi then took shelter in a cave known as Garbh Joon near Adhkawari where she meditated for 9 months attaining spiritual wisdom and powers. Her meditation was cut short when Bhairav located her. Vaishno Devi was then compelled to take the form of Maha Kali when Bhairav tried to kill her. The manifestation of the Mother Goddess took place at the mouth of the Holy cave at Darbar. The Goddess then beheaded Bhairav with such sheer force, that his skull fell at a place known as Bhairav Ghati, 2.5 km from the Holy Cave.

In his dying moments, Bhairav pleaded for forgiveness. The Goddess knew that Bhairav's main intention in attacking her was to achieve salvation. She not only granted Bhairav liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, but also granted him a boon, whereby every devotee, in order to ensure completion of the pilgrimage, had to visit Bhairav Nath's temple near the Holy cave after the darshan of the goddess.Meanwhile Vaishno Devi assumed the shape of a rock with three pindis (heads) and immersed herself into meditation forever.

[edit] Access

The nearest airport from Katra is in Jammu City, 48 kilometers (29.82 miles) away. The nearest railway station is at Udhampur, 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away. Railway Extension to Katra proper is expected to be operational by 2007.

From Katra, devotees have multiple options to reach the main temple. The quickest way is to take the helicopter ride, which will take 15-20 minutes to reach the summit. However, this may not be operational on certain days depending on weather conditions. Other options include walking up or taking a horse ride. The climb is steep and tiring but there are multiple rest stations along the way and options to buy refreshments. For those with disabilities, there is an option to take a 'Palkhi' where 4-5 men will carry a person in a carriage. For young children, one can hire a person who will carry them and also carry the bags.

Extra clothes are required there, as every devotee is expected to bathe and change before going to the main temple for darshan. Security is very tight so one should make sure there is nothing of concern on his or her person.

[edit] External links

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