Ma Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra

On 27th Dec 21 morning at 10 we checked out hotel Gulshah, Jalandhar and headed towards Katra. Distance is 265 KM.  On the way at Jammu railway station we purchased yatri SIM at Rs.100/- and recharged it with Rs.265/-  which we can use during our stay in Jammu and Kashmir,  as all our prepaid SIMs doesn't work in J&K.  Jammu and Katra distance is  46 KM. We reached Katra by 5 PM.  From here we took service of Suhana Safar Tours for Pahalgam, Shrinagar, Dal Lake, Sonmarg, Gulmarg etc with sightseeing, breakfast, dinner and stay at Rs. 43200/- (10800/- per person)  from 27th Dec 21 till 3rd January 22 drop at Katra. Through tour operator we  checked in hotel Taranant, had dinner at night and rested.

On 28th Dec 21 at 7 AM we went to Ma Vaishno Devi Temple which is located in Trikuta hills in Katra, 13 kms from Katra. We went to Banganga by auto Rs 210/-. As soon as we step out of auto people gather around us for doli, for horse etc.  while we were talking, without asking us one person tide a band Jay Mata Di on our head and took Rs.10/- per band.  Then we choose horse ride (Rate is too high - Rs.1250/- per person per side) to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple (As helicopter booking is not available, for helicopter you have to book before 2-3 months). We have to take 2-3 stops as we can't ride continuesly for 13 kms, and horse also want to rest for 5 minutes, as it takes approximately 2 and half hours to reach the temple. On the way we have tea and snacks along with all four horse jockey's. On the way to uphill one can observe mesmerizing view. After horse ride over still you have to walk for @ 1km..we ate snacks, put our shoes at stand which is little bit away from Bhavan and went for darshan.  Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in India. Every year millions of visitors visit the temple. Vaishnavi was formed from the combined energies of Parvati (Durga), Laxmi and Saraswati. The temple is one of the 108 Shakti peethas dedicated to Durga, who is worshipped as Vaishno Devi. From Katra, starts the uphill journey to the Vaishno Devi Temple on foot, doli, horse, helicopter, battery car etc as per your choice. While on the way near the Trikuta mountain there is Banganga River. After Banganga is the Charan Paduka temple. Vaishno Devi stood on a rock to look at Bhairavnath before her escape and this rock supposedly contained her footprints. Her footprints are worshipped in this temple. After having darshan of Charan Paduka, Pilgrims come across the Ardha Kunwari Temple. Vaishno Devi meditated in this cave for 9 months. It is said that  if pilgrims did not have darshan of  Bhairavnath temple, their pilgrimage will not be fruitful. Pilgrims go inside the Vaishno Devi Temple to have a darshan of the 3 pindikas (rocks) which represent Vaishno Devi.  The blessings of Vaishnodevi is what one is seeking. It is beautiful place, takes some effort to reach and have a darshan, but all worth it. While returning my Mom and Dad again took horse ride along with my daughter, me and my wife came by walking.  It took us 5 hours to come down.  Rope way for Bhairo Temple which is at very reasonable rate only Rs.100/- but there was too much crowd so we skipped. Food is not good at restaurants available near temple. Nothing better can be achieved in life than having the darshan and blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi. Its a divine place. Once you enter there you will feel like heaven. This is one of the temples in India which is well managed and organized. The Shrine Board take care of overall management and cleanliness. All kind of public help is available throughout the route. Hospitals, Doctors, Food, Water, Langar, Bhojnalaya, public toilets, vishramalaya etc. we felt blessed with divine darshan of Mata. We came by 8 PM to our lodge, after dinner rested.