|
Katra
Town, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains, 48 kms. from Jammu,
serves as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi, which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well
laid footpath. Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass
through Katra on their way to the holy shrine.
The cave
shrine of Mata Vasihnodeviji or Trikuta Bhagwati (alt: 5,200 ft.)
has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions of devotees
from all over the world. The pilgrimage to the Shrine holds great
significance for the pilgrims.
Everyday of
the year throngs of people surge up the steep pathways that cut
across the Trikuta hillsides for mile after mile. This show of faith
is finely interwoven with the cultural strands of the Indian
subcontinent, and these pathways have been trod on for many
centuries now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the
Himalayan trail to the goddesses's abode to ask for a boon rarely
goes back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a
forthcoming examination, marriage or birth, the devout look up to
the Mata For blessings and guidance. There are many who journey year
after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief,
creed or class, caste or religion
Mata Vaishno
Devi established an ashram in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountain
and began to meditate. As predicted by Lord Rama, her glory started
spreading and people began to flock to her ashram to seek her
blessings. As time passed, a Tantrik called Gorakh Nath (Demo God),
who had a vision of the episode between Lord Rama and Mata Vaishno
Devi, became curious and wanted to know more about her. Accordingly,
he sent his most able disciple `Bhairon Nath' to find out. Bhairon
Nath started observing her secretly and realized that despite being
a `Sadhvi', she always carried a bow and arrows and was always
surrounded by langoor (apes) and a ferocious looking lion. Bhairon,
the demon God took a fancy to her. But the Mata spurned his advances
and fled to the Himalayas to continue her spiritual quest.
India Tourism
Development Corporation's Vaishno Devi package tour starts from 27th
June onwards.
Details are as follows:-
* Departure every Friday 1800 Hrs from Hotel
Janpath.
* Return Sunday evening.
* Package includes "Priority Darshan,
Travel by A/C coach 35 seater deluxe, A/C accommodation on twin
sharing basis at Katra (Niharika), , Escort and Prasad".
* Price Rs 2850 per person ( on twin sharing
basis), Child (below 12 years) Sharing same room Rs 2450, Adult
sharing same room Rs 2600, Person with single room Rs 3250.
This package is in association with Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
For booking contact (From 18/06/03 onwards)
| TRAVEL
RESERVATION QUERY FORM |
|
|