Plan Your Travel To Vaishno Devi
Places To Visit In Vaishno Devi
Ardhkuwari
Before making the Vaishno Devi Bhavan her abode, Mata Vaishnodevi is believed to have meditated in the ArdhKuwari Gufa for 9 months before beheading the demon Bhairavnath. Located halfway to Vaishno Devi Temple, Ardh Kuwari acts as a stopover for the pilgrims on their journey up to the Bhavan.
The 52ft long Ardhkuwari is also known as Garbajoon Cave, as the shape of the cave resembles a mother's womb. The devotees believe that when Mata Vaishno killed Bhairav his head fly off into the valley while his body remained in the Ardh Kuwari Cave.One has to crawl on the knees to reach the other side of the Ardhkuwari cave. Once on the other side, you can see a large shrine which is built dedicated to the three Goddesses - Maha Kali, Maha Laxmi and Maha Saraswati. The darshan route is semicircular so that you exit from a different opening at a small distance from the entry route.
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Bhairavnath Temple Vaishno Devi
No journey to Katra is complete without having visited Bhairavnath Mandir. The cave temple of Bhairavnath is dedicated to Baba Bhairavnath and is constructed at the site where he is believed to have breathed his last. A steep 3km journey from the Bhawan leads you to Bhairavnath temple.
According to the legend, Kaal Bhairav (Baba Bhairavnath) was killed by Maa Vaishnodevi, and during his last breath, he repented his sins. The goddess forgave him and said that no pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi will be complete without visiting the Bhairav Temple.The temple provides picturesque views of the forest fed mountains. Ponies are available for the up-down journey in case you can not climb the steep stairs. There is also a ropeway from Vaishno Devi Temple to Bhairavnath Temple at a cost of INR 100 per person.
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Shopping in Vaishno Devi
Although most famous for its revered temple Vaishno Devi, this destination is an unlikely shopping destination as well. Shopping is mainly done by pilgrims, which includes Prasad, saris and shawls which are offered to the goddess. Gold and silver coins embossed with the images of the goddess are also sold here. Other goods that find a place here includes bangles, embroidered fabrics, saris and suits which are quite popular among women of all ages.
Vaishno has quite a few destinations and shopping areas within its bounds. The Katra Main Bazaar is the main shopping area here, and you can find everything that is native to Jammu here. You can find delicious dry fruits such as walnuts, almonds, berries and dried apples. The Bhawan market of Katra offers traditional goods that are offered to the holy goddess in the temple. The Sanjhi Chhat market of Vaishno has a wide collection of traditional fabrics, shawls and Kashmiri motifs.
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Dera Baba Banda
Dere Baba Banda is a 300-year old Gurudwara and a major pilgrimage points for Sikhs. It is renowned for housing the ashes of Baba Banda Bahadur who was the commanding soldier of Guru Gobind Singh's army. The Gurudwara also houses his arrow and a huge sword used by him during wars.
Being one of the important religious centres in Kashmir, the Gurudwara Dere Baba Banda attracts a huge number of pilgrims, especially during the three-day Vaisakhi mela. The architecture of the Gurudwara is stunning with the interior walls glinting in the textures of golden shade.
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Katra
Katra is a small town in Jammu and Kashmir located in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains. It is a famous pilgrimage destination also known as the Katra Vaishno Devi for millions of Hindus. The town is close to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, which is located in the Trikuta Mountains. Every year, pilgrims make the 13.5-kilometer journey to the shrine. This reveals a great deal about their devotion to the Goddess. They believe the Goddess will grant their wishes and regard the temple as one of the holiest Shakti Peethas (holy places representing cosmic energy).
Though Vaishno Devi is the town's main attraction, there are numerous other places to visit. Bhairon Temple is an important pilgrimage site with exciting legends associated with it. Adhkunwari, 6 kilometers from Katra, is another auspicious temple. The cave is extremely narrow and can only hold one person at a time. Himkoti, Banganga, Baba Dhansar, and many other places in Katra are also popular for sightseeing. The town also holds various events and festivals year-round, among the most popular being the Navratri festival. Tourists must be prepared for the challenging trek to the temple, best done early in the morning or late in the evening. Katra is a must-see destination for those seeking a spiritual experience and a glimpse of the Himalayas' natural beauty.
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