VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE

Vaishno Devi temple is nearly a million year old that was studied by geologists. It is not possible to predict the exact age of the temple. Vaishno Devi temple is not mentioned in the Rig Vedas, but mountain Trikoot is mentioned in the Vedas. The worshiping of Shakti started in Puranic period. The first mention of Maa shakti is in Mahabharata. This was mentioned by Arjun when he prayed to mother goddess on advise of Krishna he said “Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye”. This means prayer to Shakti who resides in the mountains of Jamboo. So we can assume that this is the reference to Vaishno Devi temple, which is located in Jammu. May be, Jammu in old times was called as Jamboo.

It is also believed that Pandavas were the first to construct temple of Goddess adjacent to the Trikoot Mountain and the five stones inside Vaishno Devi temple is said to be symbols of Five Pandavas. Oldest reference for Vaishno Devi temple is when Guru Govind Singh goes there from Purmandal. Purmandal is a pilgrimage centre which has an old foot track for Vaishno Devi temple. Vaishno Devi temple is believed to be the place where skull of Sati fell. Some do believe that right arm of Sati felled here and Vaishno Devi temple also have the stone shaped human hand called as Varad Hast which means “the hand that gives blessings”.

Vaishno Devi yatra is done by millions of devotees every year for her blessings. Earlier, Vaishno Devi yatra was done on foot, though Palkis and horses are also available on the mountains. Devotees used to walk to the holy caves of Mata Vashno Devi which is 61 km far from Jammu and the last 13 km is walked by foot. Now Vaishno Devi yatra can be done on helicopter. Daily helicopters are there from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Only 5 to 6 people can be accommodated in one flight and cost Rs 2000 per person to reach Vaishno Devi temple and return flight cost Rs 4000 per person. Now you can even plan your Vaishno Devi yatra online for all necessary bookings. You can have room bookings, Pujan bookings and Yatra registration slip bookings easily online for Vaishno Devi yatra. Vaishno Devi yatra costs RS 50 if you book online and free of cost if you book directly when you reach Katra. So now you can plan your Vaishno Devi yatra on call of Mata.