Katra, Jammu & Kashmir
Maa Vaishno Devi
By Devansh Taneja
According to legends once demon Bhairavnath was chasing Goddess Vaishno Devi. She was a manifestation of Durga. She took refuge in the Trikuta Mountains, where she decapitated the demon and established the location as a sacred shrine.
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Goddess Vaishno Devi pardoned him after she decapitated him. She allowed liberation to the demon and therefore a vital component of the pilgrimage is the Bhairavnath Temple. Visiting this temple completes this yatra.
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Vaishno Devi Temple is situated in a cave on the Trikuta Mountains. There are three rock formations known as Pindies in the cave representing the goddess’s forms: Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati.
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While the exact origins of the Vaishno Devi Temple remain unknown, references to the goddess can be found in ancient texts like the Mahabharata, where Arjuna is said to have sought her blessings before battle.
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Banganga, a holy stream that Goddess Vaishno Devi created to assuage her thirst, is a popular destination for pilgrims. Devotees immerse in the Banganga waters before continuing their trek because it is thought that it has therapeutic qualities.
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Devotees can see the imprints of the goddess' feet on a rock called Charan Paduka. It is a major yatra stop. While escaping from Bhairavnath, the goddess is claimed to have stopped here and bestowed her divine presence on the land.
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Adhkuwari is a cave halfway along the trek where Goddess Vaishno Devi is believed to have meditated for nine months. The cave, also known as Garbh Joon (Mother’s Womb), is a place of deep spiritual significance for pilgrims.
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Devotees tie sacred threads or ‘Mauli’ around their wrists before embarking on the yatra. It is believed that this thread, once offered to the goddess, protects the wearer and brings them closer to her divine grace.
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Navratri, a nine-day festival celebrated twice a year, is the most auspicious time to visit Vaishno Devi. The temple is beautifully decorated, and special rituals are performed, drawing pilgrims from all over the country.
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