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.

Top 10 Jain Temples in India

Jainism is an ancient religion which preaches and practices the aim to liberate the soul from the ties of life and death. It is one of the oldest religions in the world, with a large number of followers. Since Jainism has its roots in India, the country has a large number of Jain temples, which are of great significance and visited by devotees from all over the world every year.

Listed below are the top 10 Jain temples in India:

10.Shikharji Temple, Jharkhand

One of the most sacred pilgrimages for Jains lie on Shikharji, the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand, where the famous Shikharji Temple is located. The temple is built in devotion of Digambar Jains.

9.Bawangaja Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Bawangaja Jain Temple in Madhya Pradesh has achieved worldwide fame as it houses the 84 feet tall statue of Tirthankara Adinatha, the first Tirthankara of the Jain religion. The spectacular temple lies in the Satpura Mountain Range.

8.Dharmanath Jain Temple, Kochi

The Dharmanath Jain Temple of Kochi is another important temple of Jain religion in Indi. The temple is believed to be 100 years old and is visited by hordes of devotees every year.

7.Lal Mandir, Delhi

Another important Jain temple is the Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, which is located opposite to Red Fort in Delhi. As its name suggests, the temple is made of red sandstone and dates back to 1526, though it underwent extensie renovation in the 19th century.

6.Khajuraho Jain Temples

Khajuraho Jain Temples are acclaimed all over the world for their erotic sculptures. These ancient temples are dedicated to Hinduism as well as Jainism and were built from 950 to 1150. The Eastern part of Khajuraho was supposedly inhabited by Jains and most of the Jain temples lie here. While some of them are in ruins, a few have withstood the test of time.

5.Sonagiri Temples

Sonagiri, a small town in Madhya Pradesh, is home to some beautiful Digambar temples, which have to be reached by climbing up a flight of 300 stairs. But the labor hardly dissuades pilgrims from reaching the top and viewing countless white temples in the surroundings.

4.Palitana Temples, Gujarat

Next among the most important Jain temples in the country are the Palitana Temples located in a city called Palitana in Gujarat. The main temple, which is dedicated to Svetambara Jains, lies on the hill top, while there are a thousand more of them on the Shatrunjaya Hills.

3.Ranakpur Temple, Rajasthan

Nestled in the lap of the Aravalli Hills, Ranakpur Temple lies between the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur. The spectacular temple is made in marbe and is one of the most visited pilgrimage spots in Jain religion.

2.Gomateshwara Temple, Shravanbelagola

Featuring next on the list of top 10 Jain temples in India is the magnificent statue of Gomateshwara in Shravanbelagola, Karnataka. The 58 feet tall statue is considered as one of the biggest monolithic statues in the world. It is anointed with milk, ghee, curd, saffron and gold coins in the Mahamastakabhisheka festival held every 12 years.

1.Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu

Dilwara Temples, which are located in the picturesque hill station of Mount Abu in Rajasthan, are revered as some of the most important temples of Jain religion. Built in marble, these five temples are unique examples of brilliant architecture and craftsmanship with delicately carved pillars, ceilings and panels. They were built by Chalukya Dynasty and are appreciated all over the world.

All these temples attract followers of Jain religion, not only from within the country, but also from abroad. They are truly the living symbols of this ancient religion.

Bhakti Online offers online Prasad for those people who are busy businessmen, housewives, NRIs or aged. Enjoy countless blessings delivered at your address.Our representative will visit temple on your behalf and offer prasad to the deity.