Vaishno Devi: Living Goddess on Earth

July 31, 2019November 17, 2023 Tietler

Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of Hinduism. The Goddess resides in a Holy Cave located in the enclave of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta. The Holi cave attracts the people from all over the world.

The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave.

Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata : the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for.

Chalo Bulawa Aaya hai

It is also believed that unless there is a Bulawa or call no one can visit the Shrine or have Her blessings, howsoever high or mighty one may be. The journey to the Mata Vaishno Devi Ji starts with the Call of Mata. It is not only a belief, trait, tradition or the legendary story but also a strong experience of one and all that the Divine Mother sends a call to her children. And once a person receives it, wherever he\she is, is bound to visit the Mother to receive Her unbounded love and blessings.

Mythology of Vaishno Devi

As per the legend, three manifestations of Mata Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati got together and pooled their collective spiritual strength. during the time when the Goddess was busy in annihilating and destroying the Asuras. Stunningly bright light illuminated from the place where the Energy of the three manifestations merged and a beautiful young girl emerged out of this Energy. The Devis explained her germination as to live on earth and spend her time in upholding righteousness.

The Devis asked the beautiful girl to go and take birth in the house of Ratankar who reside in the southern part of India, who was a great devotees of goddess. Live on earth. Uphold righteousness and evolve yourself spiritually so that you reach higher levels of consciousness. Once she have attained the appropriate level of consciousness then will merge into Vishnu and become one with him.

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Later a very beautiful girl child was born to Ratankar. The couple named the child Vaishnavi. The girl right from her childhood showed a hunger for knowledge. Subsequently, Vaishnavi started looking into her inner self for knowledge, and soon learned the art of meditation and realized that meditation only could bring her close to her greater objective. Vaishnavi thus vacated all household comforts and went deep into the forest for meditation.

Meanwhile, Lord Ram, during his fourteen years of exile happened to visit Vaishnavi who recognized him and immediately asked him to merge her into himself so that she could become one with the supreme creator.

Lord Ram, rejected the request and said her that he would visit her again after the end of his exile, and at that time if she recognized him, he would fulfill her wish. Ram visited her again after being victorious in the battle, but with dressed of an old man. Vaishnavi was unable to identify him this time .

Lord Ram assured her that the correct time for her being one with the Vishnu had not come, and that time would come in ‘Kaliyug’ when He would be in his incarnation of ‘Kalki‘… the last of the Incarnation. Ram also directed her to meditate, and set up an Ashram at the base of Trikuta hills, to enhance her level of spirituality so as to bless mankind and rid the poor,disable and destitute of their sufferings. Only then would ‘Vishnu’ merge her into himself. Vaishnavi, immediately reached the foot of the Trikuta Hills and began to meditate.

As time passed, Guru Goraksh Nath ji who had a evidence of that episode between Lord Rama and Vaishnavi in that time frame, became curious to find out whether Vaishnavi has been able to attain a high level of spirituality or not. He sent his disciple ‘Bhairon Nath‘ to find out the truth. Bhairon Nath on locating the ashram started observing Vaishnavi secretly. Bhairon Nath was attracted by Vaishnavi’s extraordinary beauty, and losing all good sense he began to force her to marry him. Bhairon Nath attempted to grab Vaishnavi while they were invited for a bhandara but she escaped from him. Vaishnavi decided to flee away into the mountains to continue her Tapasaya undisturbed.

The goddess after halting at Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari, 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. The goddess, just outside the mouth of the cave, beheaded him. Bhairon Nath upon death prayed to the deity to forgive him. The almighty Mata 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.

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 rock with three heads or the Pindies on the top is the ultimate destination of a devotee.

How to Reach:

The nearest railway station is Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station, which is 20 km away.
The nearest airport is the Jammu Tawi airport, which is 46.7 km away on NH 144.
Bus, taxi services are available from Jammu Tawi, New Delhi, and Amritsar, etc., to Katra.

Once you reach the Katra station, it would be best to check into a hotel to rest for the day. People generally begin the trek in the evening and depending on the speed,spirit and stamina, it can take anywhere between four-to-six hours to reach the shrine. Once darshan is over, the downhill trek is easier.

Spots we passed while moving from Katra to main sanctum:

Darshani Darwaaza: Mata Vaishno Devi as a girl met Pandit Shridhar;
Ban Ganga: Small stream;
Charan Paduka: an ancient temple;
Adhkuwari: Eternal Virgin. This is place Vaishno was supposed to have worshiped Lord Shiva.
Himkoti: most beautiful spots of the trek, the breathtaking view of the entire valley is visible from here;
Sanjichhat: The final destination of the Holy Sanctum Sanctorum.
Bhairon Ghati: The temple devoted to Lord Bhairava, is the last spot for pilgrims.