Wednesday 25 March 2015

Vaishno Devi Yatra and Online Prasad

Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most important religious places in the Hindu religion, which is dedicated to the Goddess Shakti, the manifestation of power in the form of a kanjak or young girl. The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located in the Trikuta Mountains in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The sacred temple lies at the elevation of 5300 feet, just 13 km from the town of Katra. This distance has to be covered on foot by the pilgrims and is known by the name of Vaishno Devi Yatra.

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Vaishno Devi Temple Legend

One of the most visited pilgrimages in India is the Vaishno Devi Temple, a natural cave temple which houses the three holy pindies of Goddess Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati, all the three manifestations of Goddess Durga. As the legend goes, this cave served as the place where Vaishno Devi meditated and used as a hideout to evade Bhairo Nath, a wicked man who wanted to get married to her forcibly. When he was after her, she had to behead and kill the evil man and his severed head feel on a hill located at a distance, where Bhairon Temple of the present day is located. As Bhairo Nath was beheaded by Vaishno Mata, he asked her for penance and Mata granted it to him, along with the blessing that a visit to the Bhairo Temple would be necessary for the completion of Vaishno Devi Yatra. This was when she transformed herself into the sacred pindies and the temple was established at this location.

Vaishno Devi Yatra

Vaishno Devi Yatra refers to the 13 km path from Katra near Jammu, to the cave temple of Mata Vaishno Devi located in the Trikuta Temple, which is known as Bhawan. Devotees can reach from Jammu to Katra by road, covering a distance of 61 km. The Yatra is carried on foot or horseback, while some ardent devotees cover this treacherous path barefoot. These days, the yatra can be covered easily and in a short time by a helicopter service. On the other hand, those who cannot walk and do not afford to spend a lot of money, can use a palki drawn by men, for the yatra. Located just 1 km from Katra is the first important landmark of the Yatra, which is known as Banganga, a small stream where Vaishno Devi had satiated her thirst while being followed by Bhairo Nath. 6 km ahead is the cave of Ardhkawari, where Mata hid for 9 months and meditated, followed by Sanjhi Chha, which is 9.5 km ahead and the holy cave at Bhawan, lying at a distance of 3.5 km from Sanjhi Chhat. The Yatra is not easy, but the deep faith and determination of the devotees take them ahead.

Vaishno Devi Online Prasad

Vaishno Devi Prasad comprises of mishri (rock candy) and coins inscribed with the pictures of the three pindies called khazana. A bhaint offered by the devotees at the temple consists of coconut, mishri, fulian, chunri, mouli and pooja samagri, all of which can be brought outside the shrine at no profit no loss basis. Online Prasad from Vaishno Devi Shrine can also be easily received by making a nominal payment. Online Prasad consisting of panch bhog, khazana coins, a photo of pindi darshan and special puja items from the shrine, is received within a few days. This is a convenient way to get the blessings of the temple, particularly for those who cannot visit the shrine personally.

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