Vaishno Devi Yatra

Located at the top of the Trikuta Hills in Jammu and Kashmir, is the holy shrine of Goddess Shakti, known as the 'Vaishno Devi'. Every year millions of Hindu devotees come to this sacred place to seek the divine blessings of the Goddess Shakti.

Location:
The Vaishno Devi temple is situated about 12 km from Katra in the Udhampur district (of J&K). This pilgrim center is basically a 100 feet long cave that has three rock cut statues of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Kali and Goddess Saraswati.

Legends:
There are many interesting myths that are associated with the origin of the Vaishno Devi temple. It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi is an incarnation of Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati who came down on earth to kill the demon King Mahishasura. She was named Vaishnavi by her human parents. Once when she was meditating in the jungle a man called Bhairon Nath saw her. He insisted on marrying her but she refused. Finally to escape him she ran away into the jungles and hided into a cave. After much time she confronted Bhairon Nath and beheaded him. After realizing his mistakes he begged for forgiveness. Goddess Vaishnavi forgave him and blessed him that without visiting his temple her pilgrimage can not be completed. Since then people come to this cave for worshiping the devi in her statue form.

The Journey to the Temple:
After arriving at the Jammu railway station, you have to travel 50 km to reach Katra from where the main journey to the Vaishno Devi starts. Once you come to Katra you can relax at the several dharmshalas situated here. Next morning the 13 km journey to the main Bhawan begins with the holy enchants of 'Jai Mata di'. The first stop of this route is the Banganga where the pilgrims take holy bath and rest for some time. Next destination is the Charanpadhuka the footprints of the goddess. Finally after resting at the Ardhkumari Temple, the pilgrims arrive at the Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi where they offer prayers at the three pindies inside the divine cave.

Along with the holy darshans of Mata Vaishno Devi one can also enjoy the mesmerizing scenic beauty of the snow covered Himalayas and the lush green valleys.

So to gain some spiritual knowledge and to purify your mind and soul visit the sacred Vaishno Devi temple.

Jammu And Kashmir Tourism

                             

If you are looking to spend your holidays in nature's paradise than Jammu and Kashmir is the ideal destination. People call this state a true heaven created by the God on earth. It is the northern-most state of India and is visited by several travelers who come here from different corners of the world.

Hill Station Tour:
The hill stations located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are the most beautiful and most serene hill stations of this country. The picturesque view of the snow covered Himalayas and the lush green valleys are simply majestic and casts their magic on every traveler and young honeymooning couple. The cool wind and the tranquil and peaceful environment force the tourists to visit this state again and again. They are ideal for spending some of the most memorable holidays of your life here. No other place can match its charm. Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Patnitop, Sonmarg and Srinagar are the most popular hill stations of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pilgrimage Tour:
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has some of the most visited pilgrim centers of India. There are many temples, mosques, Buddhist temples and monasteries located here. They are an important part of the cultural heritage of this state. Even the architecture of these shrines and pilgrim centers is very magnificent and worth watching. Devotees from all around the globe visit these centers to seek the blessings of the God and to fulfill all their wishes. These sacred places has a charm of their own and holds a special place in the pilgrimage tour of India. Amarnath caves, Mata Vaishno  Devi, Sheshnag, Mata Kali temple, Charar-E-Sharif, Peer Mitha, Rizong monastery and Likir monastery are some of the most famous pilgrim centers of this state.

Adventure Tour:
Along with enjoying its natural beauty the travelers can also indulge themselves in some breathtaking and spine chilling adventure sports while visiting Jammu and Kashmir. The state government in the recent times has introduced some initiatives to boost the tourism in this state and adventure travel is one of them. Adventure enthusiasts from various parts of the world come here to test their endurance and to feel the pumping adrenalin rush. While in this state try your hands at trekking, rock climbing, white water rafting, camping, kayaking, snow boarding and many more.

Houseboat Tour:
No tour of Jammu and Kashmir can be complete without experiencing a tour of the houseboats. It is the second state of India where you can go for a houseboat ride. One can also call these houseboats floating luxurious hotels that have all the modern facilities to make your stay comfortable and memorable. A stay in these wonderful houseboats will be an experience of a lifetime. The majestic snowy peaks of the Himalayas make the backdrop of this tour. They are also a major part of the living of the local people. One can take these houseboat tours on the Dal lake, Nagin lake and Jhelum river.

Festive Celebrations:
The people of Jammu and Kashmir celebrate many colorful and interesting festivals. Every year thousands of tourists both international and domestic visit this state during these celebrations. These festivals are a reflection of the cultural and traditional heritage of this state. They are also a good way to mingle with the local population and to know about their customs and rituals. They also help in bringing the people of different religions together. The entire atmosphere of these celebrations are very magnificent and worth watching. Baisakhi, Eid-ul-Fitr and Azha, Hemis festival, Sindhu Darshan festival and Mansar food and craft mela are some of the well festivals that are celebrated in this state.

Experience the true beauty of nature while enjoying some of the best holidays of your life in Jammu and Kashmir.