Vaishno Devi trip is a pilgrimage trip to the holy shrine of Maa Durga or Maa Vaishno Devi. It is a Hindu temple which is located in Katra, a small town in Jammu and Kashmir. Katra is 42 km away from Jammu city and the main temple or Bhawan is another 12 or 13 km from Katra.
There are different means of transportation from Katra to the main temple like ropeways, and ponies but many people prefer walking to the main temple.
My memories of Vaishno Devi trip –
I went to Vaishno Devi first time when I was almost 3 or 4 years old with my parents and elder sister. I don’t remember much about that trip but got a chance to visit it soon after our marriage. Its been many years now but would love to visit it again.
We were planning to visit again after our daughter was born but didn’t happen. My husband even planned and booked the train tickets but at the last minute, the train got cancelled. As they say, you visit it when maa calls or wishes and I am waiting for that calling and let’s see when that happens next.
I still remember the fun trip to Vaishno Devi as most of my in-laws family travelled together. We took the train from Ambala to Jammu and by the time reached Katra, it was pretty late. Still, we continued our journey to the main temple and by the time we reached, it was almost midnight. We didn’t get any accommodation immediately and had to wait outside for a long time on the road.
Finally, we had beautiful darshan of maa in the morning and that experience is just out of the world. Although they don’t let you stay for long in the main gufa or cave those few seconds are worth all the effort you take to reach there.
View of Katra
About Vaishno Devi –
Vaishno Devi is the holy shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi in a cave called Trikoot. Many people from all over India visit it all year around. During Navratras, it is very crowded due to a lot of devotees thronging it from all parts of India.
You can reach Vaishno Devi through train till Jammu or Katra railway station which is 20 km from the main temple. The nearest airport is Jammu Tawi airport and you can also take a taxi service from nearby cities to Jammu or Katra. If you are planning to walk until the Bhawan, it’s better to rest in Katra. It takes another 4-6 hours to reach there by walking.
The Vaishno Devi trip is something which you have to visit to experience it yourself. Our trip was an adventurous and divine experience. Let’s see when I visit again. Have you been to Vaishno Devi yet? Do let me know your experiences and memories ion the comments below.
I am sharing my memories of different places from my travel list this April.
#AtoZchallenge 2019 previous posts –
A for Amritsar
B for Bangalore
C for Chicago
D for Delhi
E for evergreen Kerala
F for Fun Las Vegas
G for Goa
H for Haridwar
I for Mackinac Island
J for Jammu
K for Kullu Manali
L for Los Angeles
M for Milwaukee
No for Niagara Falls
O for Orlando
P for Phuket
Q for Queen of Hills Mussoorie
R for Rare masterpiece Agra
S for St. Louis
T for The city beautiful Chandigarh
U for Ujjain
April 25, 2019 at 12:49 am
V for Vaishno Devi Temple is really very thoughtful of you.The holy place definitely has some magical powers. I, too have been there many times, last was in December only. You know what, it was very sunny that day when I wished for snowfall.Everyone, including the locals there, felt sorry for my wish saying that it was not possible that day as the sky was clear and Mr. Sun was shining brightly. But i was praying for it. And at 7 in the evening, everything changed. There was thundering, lightening, drizzling and finally at around 10, my wish was granted. Yes, snowfall ?
April 25, 2019 at 1:42 am
This post brought a smile on my face. As you rightly said they don’t let you stay in the gufa for long but those few seconds are priceless. For the first time when I visited I was in 2nd standard or so. Before I could understand or see anything, the priest asked us to leave. I, my mother and Aunty were despaired when the two police guards asked us what happened. When we told them the story, they advised us to wipe our tilak that the priest put on us in the cave. We did the same and those guards helped us visit the cave again. It was then we did beautiful darshan. It was quite unusual but as you mentioned we also believed it was our calling.
April 25, 2019 at 5:42 am
It has been a great wish that I will be able to visit someday. Lets hope mata will call me too.
April 25, 2019 at 9:02 am
Vaishno Devi is truly special. I have visted this holy shrine only once, and i really hope to visit again. Jai Mata Di!
April 25, 2019 at 11:52 am
I haven’t visited Vaishno Devi but I’ve had a similar pilgrimage experience at Hemkund Sahib. These religious treks really make for wonderful experiences and memories.
April 25, 2019 at 1:51 pm
Beautiful post on Lion Tamer Maa Vaishno Devi. It is true, unless mother calls one cannot visit. I have never visited. I heard about excitement and hunger for a Dharshan among devotees that do visit. Jai Maa Sherawaali!
April 25, 2019 at 5:04 pm
It’s a special place! I so love visiting there!
April 25, 2019 at 5:56 pm
I feel connected to this place a lot. Hoping to visit soon when my bulava comes again.
April 25, 2019 at 6:47 pm
I always wanted to visit Vaishno devi but couldn’t make it, after reading your post, I hope to visit it soon.
April 25, 2019 at 10:45 pm
I want to visit Vaishno Devi again but Maa only knows when she’ll all us next. Our experience was memorable too. All the hard work of walking along the way disappears as soon as we have her darshan.