JAIPUR TO KATRA AND BACK IN 48 HRS
JAI MATA DI –this is how we start our journey OR any discussion about KATRA –as the place belongs to famous deity temple of Goddess VAISHNO DEVI. It was important to cover as people are curious to find out time taken to complete the shri Vaishno Devi yatra
Now let us know a bit more about the pilgrimage before we go on detailing of the journey from jaipur to Katra .As per the legend, during the period when the Goddess was busy in annihilating the Asuras, Her three main manifestations viz. Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati got together one day and pooled their collective Tejas or spiritual strength. A stunningly bright light emanated from the place where the Tejas of the three manifestations coalesced and a beautiful young girl emerged out of this Tejas. The young girl asked them, “Why have I been created?” The Devi’s explained to her that they had created her so that she would live on earth and spend her time in upholding righteousness. As predicted by Lord Rama, her glory spread far and wide, and people began to flock to her Ashram to seek her blessings. As time passed, MahaYogi Guru Goraksh Nath ji who had a vision of the episode between Lord Rama and Vaishnavi in the retrospective time frame, became curious to find out whether Vaishnavi has been able to attain a high level of spirituality or not. He, therefore, sent his most able disciple ‘Bhairon Nath’ to find out the truth. Bhairon Nath on locating the ashram started observing Vaishnavi secretly, and realised that though a ‘Sadhvi’ she always carried bow and arrows with her, and was always surrounded by langoors (apes) and a ferocious looking lion. Bhairon Nath was enamored by Vaishnavi’s extraordinary beauty, and losing all good sense he began to pester Vaishnavi to marry him. Meanwhile a staunch devotee of Vaiashnavi, Mata Sridhar organised a Bhandara (Community meal) in which the whole village and MahaYogi Guru Goraksh Nath ji along with all his followers including Bhairon were invited. During the course of Bhandara Bhairon Nath attempted to grab Vaishnavi but she tried her best to daunt him. On failing to do so, Vaishnavi decided to flee away into the mountains to continue her Tapasaya undisturbed. Bhairon Nath however chased her to her destination.
The goddess after halting at (present day) Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari, finally reached the holy cave Shrine. When Bhairon Nath continued to follow her despite the goddess trying to avoid a confrontation, the goddess was compelled to kill him. Bhairon Nath met his ultimate fate when the goddess, just outside the mouth of the cave, beheaded him. The severed head of Bhairon fell with a force at a distant hilltop. Bhairon Nath upon death realised the futility of his mission and prayed to the deity to forgive him. The almighty Mata ( Mother Goddess) had mercy on Bhairon and gave him a boon that every devotee of the goddess would have to have the Darshans of Bhairon after having the Darshans of the Goddess and only then would the yatra of a devotee be complete. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi decided to shed off her human form and assuming the face of a rock she immersed her self into meditation forever. Thus Vaishnavi, in the form of a five and a half feet tall rock with three heads or the Pindies on the top is the ultimate destination of a devotee. These Pindies constitute the Sanctum Sanctorum of the holy cave known as the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, which is revered by one and all….courtesy Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board.
JOURNEY BEGINS – 12TH FEBRUARY 2021 IST 16.20 hrs
We started our journey and booked ourselves in train –starting jaipur at 16.20 hrs and expected arrival time at destination i.e JAMMU -08 15 hrs IST the following day i.e on 13th feb 2021. Although there are trains direct to KATRA as well , but they are not operational due to COVID PROTOCOL of the Indian railways as few trains are operational until the life gets on Normal. Jammu railway station is the nearest point to KATRA about 45 kms via Nagrota on the Srinagar Highway. As we started, there came first surprise, the railway Protocol also restricted to supply of the BED linen, so we were booked in AC compartment we were expecting the supplies , but when reconfirmed we were told the restrictions are still on . We thank Mr Pradeep Heer [our fellow passenger – An INDIAN ARMY PERSONNEL] who was also travelling in same compartment to his family holiday visit back home to RAJOURI through same train was very helpful to share his extra bedding supplies with us , TRULY evident , INDIAN ARMY personnel’s are not only hard and brilliant in skills but very soft at heart as they are helpful in every possible situation to anyone around them. THANK YOU SIR FOR THIS HELP, WE ARE INDEBTED.
So continuing the train got delayed by 20 minutes due to heavy FOG up hills, reaching JAMMU station we had to pass through COVID rapid test, which was mandatory for every traveler entering the city , this was done so professionally without wasting any time as they had enough medical team to carry on the operations , generally you would not face these once the world get rid of COVID.19.
JAMMU TO KATRA –by TAXI CAR
The next phase of the journey was from JAMMU TO KATRA around 45 minutes drive through beautiful landscapes amidst HIMALAYAN region foot hills through JAMMU SRINAGAR HIGHWAY. Our expected drive time was around 45 minutes, and there was another surprise of traffic JAM . as this region is guarded heavily by the army ,we were told there was thorough check going on and the traffic was halted. Well we waited for around 2 hrs before we could start racing towards KATRA as we were worried we would not be able to keep upto our schedule as we had narrow timeline and were suppose to complete the visit and get back on late night train from KATRA to NEW DELHI-from there onwards we had booked our cab to jaipur. So keeping to our tight schedule we were a bit worried as we were already delayed by two hrs.Finally we arrived at the hotel and were generously greeted at Hotel KALKA ROYAL. Promptly allotted the room we retired for quick wash n change and were ready for our journey walking uphill to the temple. The new technology allows the hotels to register the YATRI’s [local terms for temple visitors] on the SHRE VAISHNO DEVI SHRINE BOARD portal. This is necessary to obtain as it is checked at arrival screening and then noted at the destination, without this registration no one is allowed to pilgrimage.
Well there are multiple options available to opt for helicopter services drop and pick from KATRA base to the temple, pony back ride uphill or simply by walking uphill , the last one is considered more sacred as there are several sacred places en route the temple like Ban GANGA , CHARAN PADUKA and souvenir shops all along the route as well which are a treat to watch as most of the things are available there from massagers to photographers , restaurants and cafe’s to refresh and get recharged. Moreover you see the maximum people barefoot on their sacred belief.
KATRA TO TEMPLE YATRA – IST 13.15 hrs
We started on foot to reach expected 12.5 kms up hills to Altitude of 5200 chanting JAI MATA DI continuously as it keeps one motivated, there are different people enroute playing dhol-drums to keep the pilgrims motivated to climb up and get away from tiredness. We patiently walked up maintain same static speed and chanting we targeted to reach in around 3 hrs to midway which is ADHKAWARI ,first halt of the pilgrimage , as it is a temple situated midway essential to visit. By reaching here we were half through, we also tried some traditional lunch there rajma –chawal[kidney beans curry served with rice] tempting and delicious as it’s the staple cuisine of the area and is really made and served well. By now the tiredness has started taking toll on us as we continuously walked up without any rest in between. So we decided to carry the next phase of completed the balance of 6.5 kms through e-vehicle [a new facility started by the Shrine Board to assist pilgrim and the road infrastructure also allows them as it is fairly developed wide pathway from Mata Adhkawari temple to BHAWAN[final destination]. We were charged around 354 INR per person to take us up; it was a joyride through the e rickshaw and took us approx 20 minutes to be at the destination. We reached around 1630 hrs.
Once we reached there we presented at the counter our registration slip [the yatra parchi obtained at the beginning of yatra] and were guided amicably towards the cloak rooms where we were allotted a cloak room locker and we refreshed our self with chilled water holy bath [good arrangements separate for men and women] and were ready for the Darshans –visit to holy cave.
It took us around 30 minutes in que and complete our Darshans. We then headed forward to the next destination of shri Bhairon Ghati, uphill 1. 5 kms from the Bhawan –the holy cave. it is believed the Bhairon Darshan is mandatory after the Devi Darshan otherwise the pilgrimage is considered incomplete. Unlike previous years it was another tedious task to walk another 1.5 kms upward, but now its easy as there are cable GONDULA rides available at around 125 INR per person and takes around 15 minutes to reach there. We took the available option and headed forward. We completed our schedule within 1 hrs including the que time etc. and headed back to KATRA.
Getting back to KATRA took us around 3.5 hrs as we opted to walk down at a steady pace without taking breaks , we did opted for staircase in between to break the monotony of walking down and it is also time saving as it reduced the ALTITUDE distance .
This was a planned tour and we almost completed in time and headed forward to our Late NIGHT TRAIN from KATRA [SHRI SHAKTI EXPRESS 23,05 HRS] to New Delhi [ARRIVAL 10.35 HRS]and then connecting train to JAIPUR ARRIVAL 16.30 HRS.
JAI MATA DI
