The Vaishno Devi Yatra is one of the most revered pilgrimages in India, attracting millions of devotees each year. Here’s an overview of what you can expect during the Vaishno Devi Yatra:
Location and Significance:
- Vaishno Devi Shrine is located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, around 42 km from Jammu city. The shrine is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga.
- It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi grants the wishes of her devotees who visit her holy cave.
Yatra Route:
- The yatra typically begins from Katra, a small town at the base of the Trikuta Mountains.
- Pilgrims undertake a trek of approximately 14 km (one way) from Katra to reach the holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi.
- Alternatively, helicopter services are available from Katra to Sanjichhat, from where pilgrims can trek or use pony and palki services to reach the shrine.
Darshan at the Shrine:
- The shrine itself is located in a narrow cave where pilgrims have to crawl through a narrow passage to reach the sanctum sanctorum.
- Devotees often experience a sense of spiritual fulfillment and divine grace upon reaching the holy cave and witnessing the pindis (symbolic representations of Goddess Durga).
Spiritual Experience:
- The Vaishno Devi Yatra is not just a physical journey but also a spiritual one, with devotees enduring the trek or opting for other modes of transport as an act of penance and devotion.
- Many pilgrims undertake the yatra during auspicious periods or on special occasions to seek blessings and fulfillment of their prayers.
