President visits Vaishno Devi shrine

President Pratibha Patil on Exclusive acquired obeisance at the Vaishno Devi Shrine here located at the Trikuta Hill varies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Patil, who regularly went to the shrine, provided needs today during her hour-long have a look at out at the mountain shrine. She also used a meeting with the acquaintances of the Shrine Area to take items on palm of the control of the shrine.

Elaborate defend promotions were developed for the President's trip to the sacred give shrine located at an degree of 52,000 ft.

Visitors have to to get a trip of nearly 12 km from Katra to go to there. About 87.50 lakh actual had frequented the shrine last amount time while more than nine lakh yatris had frequented in October.

The Boss, who is on a two-day trip to Jammu and Kashmir, had the other day frequented the prominent Raghunathji forehead in Jammu and presided over the convocation wedding of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi School (SMVDU).

Exploration near Vaishno Devi shrine gets nod

The Jammu and Kashmir national offer for exploration 12,40,000 tonne yearly of high-grade the substance magnesium put in in location managed by the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Section near the pilgrimage website, and establishing up of a 30,000-tonne yearly the substance magnesium place have got the Centre's nod.

The go-ahead came after the condition suggested a offer to de-notify the 31.40sq km Trikuta creatures haven in the location of the venture website, and the Nation atmosphere ministry ratified it in May.


The lifetime of the creatures haven regional had made it essential for the condition to approach the Country wide Wildlife Board's status screen searching for room for exploration. Substantial Court orders placed need that all assignments slipping within a 10-km distance of any creatures haven or national store be removed by the status screen of the PM-chaired NWB.

In a two-pronged move, the condition first requested for the haven to be de-notified in May. The NWB's status screen authorized the de-notification of the haven with a rider: the condition should advise twice the location elsewhere as a haven. Then, in July the condition transferred another offer to set up exploration businesses near the delisted haven.

Minutes of the May conference of the status screen record that the condition board for creatures and the state primary creatures warden had suggested the offer.

However, some non-official associates on the status screen objected to it. Prerna Singh Bindra, one such member, said: "This de-notification sets a bad precedent."

The screen removed the venture during former atmosphere reverend Jairam Ramesh's period. The venture was part of several number of clearances for using creatures sanctuaries and nature for projects that got the nod in May despite non-official members' firm level of capacity them.

In July, with Ramesh's heir Jayanthi Natarajan in the seat, the condition put forth another offer before the status screen. This time around, it offered to run exploration businesses at a website near the creatures haven that had got the room to de-notify in May.

Minutes of the July conference disclose that the offer was to my own in non-forest personal location under the possession of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Section. Mining was offered for only 17.92 ha out of a total my own rental location of 485.30 ha of personal location. The rental contract is between the shrine board and the Jammu and Kashmir Mineral Development Business. The offer was removed by the condition creatures board and the state primary creatures warden, and did not need any downing of flowers. J&K primary creatures warden said at the conference that the condition had already started the process of recognition of areas to be informed as new haven instead of Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary.

Having already arranged to de-notify Trikuta in May, the status screen had little option but to clear the exploration businesses as it can only examine assignments that effect demarcated creatures areas.

Vaishnodevi Tour Package

Accommodation in the Hotel Bhawani Z Paradise

AC Deluxe Room will be provided to guests.
***Return Helicopter (If available)tickets for Katra – Sanjichat - Katra with VIP Darshan facility.
 Pick-up and drop from Jammu Airport/Railway Station by  AC Car.
Complimentary transfers to Helipad.

Note: Food will be provided in case of CPAI or MAPAI only.

ITINERY

DAY-01 : Pick- up Jammu Rly / Airport, transfer to Katra (50 kms).
Check- in  Hotel ,drop your luggage and proceed to helipad (3 kms) to fly for Darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi (10 Mnts), land at Sanjhichat, start walking(2 kms) for holy Darshan, on returning visit to Baba Bhairon nath Temple, return to helipad to board chopper for town overnight stay.

DAY-02 :  After breakfast , free till departure, transfer to Jammu for onward destination

• Room Type : AC Deluxe Rooms
• MAPAI : 5600/-
• Duration : 1 Night / 2 Days

PP on Twin share basis*.

Cancellation Policy

More than 72 hrs

• Refund 90% of the package

72 - 49 hrs

• Refund 80% of the package

48 - 25 hrs

• Refund 70% of the package

24 - 12hrs

• Refund 50% of the package

Less than 12hrs

• No show & No refund

 

Note :- We have also customized Amarnath and Vaishno mata tour packages.

Tirupati Temple

Location : 67-km from Chittoor in Chittoor district
Famous For : Architecture and Festivals
Ideal Time To Visit : October To March

A Sacred Monument

Considered as the most sacred and the richest temple in the world, Tirupati temple is situated in the town of Tirupati. It is located 67-km away from Chittoor in Chittoor district of southern Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple, it is a major pilgrimage center of south India. Besides, Tirupati also focous on other attraction of this place, the ancient and famous shrine of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Seven Hills are worth a viist.

The temple is located on a hill at Tirumala. It is a conglomeration of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam having an height of 853m (2,800ft.) above the sea level. The temple boasts of a vibrant and colorful culture also speaking volumes about its grand past. It is an important pilgrimage center, where devotees stand for long hours waiting to get a glance of the presiding deity.


Highlight of The Temple

The temple is the most popular and most visited temples in India. Being situated on a hill of Tirumala, it is climbed up by pilgrims, which is not an easy task.

Sri Venkataswara temple or the Tirupati temple is the richest temple in India. It is said that people drop bags of diamonds at the feet of Sri Venkataswara. Devotees flock this temple in huge numbers. In fact there are two lines to enter the temple, one is a free line, where you don' t pay anything to get a view of the deity. But, for the second line, which takes less time to get a glance of the deity, you have to pay a minimum amount of Rs. 50.


Temple Architecture

The ancient Tirupati temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The gopuram of this temple is its highlight. The 'Vimana' or Cupola, named the "the Ananda Nilayam" is placed over the sanctum sanctorum. It completely veiled with gold plate.

There are three 'Prakarams' or enclosures in the temple, among them the outermost enclosure boasts of the 'Dhvajastambha' or the banner post. Apart form these, other highlights of the temple are the statues of Vijayanagara king, Krishnadevaraya and his spouse. There is also an idol of Todarmal, the minister of Akbar.

The image of the temple deity represents both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu is considered as the preserver whereas the Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer in Hindu religion.

A Day At Tirupati Tirumala

A day at Tirupati Tirumala temple begins with 'Suprabhatam' (awakening the Lord) as early as three in the morning. The day ends with the 'Ekanta Seva' ( putting the Lord to sleep) at around 1 O'clock in the night.

Prayers are offered daily, weekly and periodically in the form of 'Sevas' and 'Utsavams' to the Lord. Devotees who want to pay homage to the Lord can do it by giving a small amount in return of the Sevas or Utsavams done on their name. The gifts and donations offered to the deity, is known as the 'Hundi'. It is the main source of income of the Temple.


Festivals

Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple celebrates many festivals but the annual festival of 'Brahmotsavam' is particularly important. This festival is celebrated extravagantly for nine days in the month of September every year. The Garudostavam and Rathotavam rituals take place on the fifth and sixth day of the festival. Thus, attracting flocks of tourists and devotees to the temple.


Reach Tirupati Temple
By Air : The nearest airport is at Renigunta(15 kms). Tirupati is connected by air with Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. From the airport you can hire a taxi or an auto rickshaw or you can take a bus to reach the temple.

By Rail : Tirupati temple is well connected by roads and proper transport services to the nearest railway station situated at Tirupati. This place is connected by rail with Hubbi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolhapur , Mumbai, Puri, Tiruchirapalli, Varanasi and Vijayawada.

By Road : To reach Tirupati temple, one should first reach Tirupati. It is linked with important cities like Hyderabad (617), Banglore(248), Chennai(151 km), Vijayawada(380 km) and Lepakshi (379 km) through good roadways.

Badrinath Hindus Pilgrimage

Altitude : 3,133m
Temperature : Max: 17.9°C, Min : 5.6°C
Distance : 296km from Rishikesh. 301km from Haridwar


Most Sacred Region

Besides being an ancient religious centre, Badrinath also attracts tourists because of its natural beauty.
founded by Shankaracharya in the four quarters of India. The place derives its name from the word ‘badri’, meaning berries that once grew here abundantly.
It is situated on the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Rishi Ganga.

Ancient Hindu texts categorically state that a visit to Badrinath is something of an absolute must to complete a pilgrimage. The importance of the place is evident from the space scribes of the Mahabharata and the Puranas (ancient Hindu texts) had dedicated to it. The shrine of Badrinath in this city attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India.

Badrinath Temple

The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Vishnu (Preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). The presiding deity of the temple is Badrinath (another form of Vishnu), also called Badri Vishal or Badrinarayan. Shankaracharya is believed to have installed the deity inside the shrine after it was thrown into the Narada Kunda (a hot water spring near the temple) in the days of Buddhist ascendancy.

Badrinath is depicted sitting in the padmasana (‘lotus posture’), in which the feet are placed on opposite thighs. He is surrounded by a host of gods.
The most important ones amongst these are Kubera, the God of Wealth, and Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and Prosperity.
Within the temple complex is an another shrine dedicated to Laksmi, the Goddess of Fortune. This shrine is situated to the left of the main temple building. The front portion is painted in red. Outside the exit door of the Badrinath Temple is the seating place of Shankaracharya, who meditated here. The temple remains closed during winter.


Attractions of Hot Springs

Adjacent to the Badrinath Temple are some medicinal sulphurous hot springs. The temperatures of these springs often vary. The Tapt Kund and Narada Kunda are some of the important springs. The temperature of the former is about 45°C.

Among other places of interest in the town are Nilkantha, Managram and Bhimpul.

Travel experience to Vaishno Devi Temple

We started to Delhi in AP Express. As a part of our tourist package, we visited Chandigadh Gardens, Dharmalasla through Kulu Manali, Tibet Monastry and also Shakti Peeths Brijeswari, Chamundi Maatha, Jwalamukhi. Later we started to Kangda in Jammu. 

History

Dakshapati decides to do Yagna. He invites all the goddesses except his son-in-law God Parama Shiva. Inspite of her husband's unwillingness Dakshayani attends the Yagna. She faces a great insult. She sacrifices her life by jumping into the Yagnagundam. Knowing this, Shiva takes her wife's dead body on his shoulder and starts doing a violent dance called Tandavam. To stop this, Lord Vishnu uses his Sudarshana Chakram and breaks Dakshayani's body into pieces. All this pieces fell all over India. The places where the pieces of her dead body fell, became Shakti Peeths.

In Kangda, in the place where the ear part of goddess fell, she is worshipped as Brijeswari Maatha, in the place where her tongue part fell, she is worshipped as Jwala Mukhi and the place where her eyes fell, she is worshipped as Naina Devi and at the place of her head part, the goddess is worshipped as Vaishno Devi.

The scenic beauty around the temple will not make you leave that place. It was full of trees and snow. Small water falls are also found here.

On the way to temple

There is a tight security all over Jammu. We can see the alertness and punctuality of the security people working there by their checkings everywhere at various turns and bends along the way.

At night 8'o clock we went to Yatra Nivas. We registered our names. We had our dinner, took rest for 3 hours and woke up early 2AM. We had our bath and started to Vaishno Devi temple by foot. It is 14KM distance. We were initially scared as we thought it would be dark and we had to walk in night both to and fro. But, there were good lightings all the way. All the way, there were many piligrims moving up and down the hill. There were halts to sit for a while on the way. Almost for half a distance, all types of food items and pooja items are available. There were Coffee and Tea stalls maintaned by big companies. Even though the road is good, the mountain is straight upwards. So, we faced a bit difficult to walk. 

People who can't walk can use Horses and Palanquins. Horses cost Rs.800 to 1000 and Palanquins cost Rs.4000. Recently Helicopter facility is also made available. It costs Rs.2000 and easiest way. It takes just 8 minutes. But, you have to reserve it earliar itself. Other wise you have to wait endlessly. Also, Helicopter facility depends on weather conditions. The other persons who came with us, waited at Helipad till the evening for Helicopter as the weather conditions are not good and went back without Maatha's Darshanam. We reached half distance shivering in that cold weather. 

Battery Autos are available from that half, but only for Old age people and Physically Handicapped. It costs Rs.100. Also the coupouns for autos would be given only after 8:30 AM. At every step, security people will be checking you. You have to show your registration slips at every check. We forgot all our pain in walking by Saying Jai Maatha Di. It took more than One and half hour in queue for darshanam. 

In the temple

Police and Defence Security were present all over the temple. Belts, Cameras, Cellphones are strictly prohibited. Free lockers are available for them.

After darshanam, we had to search for food. For only Rs 30, puri and rice is available there. It is surprising to see Dosa, Idly and other South Indian food at that price. From there, we started to Bhairava Nath Temple. It was 3-4 KM distance. We went on horses. Only one way journey costs Rs.150 to 200. It is compulsory that we have to visit this temple. Then only our Darshanam for Vaishno Devi Maatha completes. 

Return from temple

There is another way to directly go down the hill without coming to vaishno devi temple again. It was 5PM by the time we reached foot of hill. We took rest in hotel that night.

Later we visited Golden Temple in Amritsar, Vaga Border, Jalianwala Bagh, Kurukshetra and then went to Delhi.

Begging is strictly prohibited in Vaishno Devi temple. So, you don't find any beggers there. Sounding horn is also not allowed. There is no pollution at all. That was a great experience.

Vaishno Devi Mandir

At a distance of 50 kms from Jammu Katra acts as a base camp for piligrims and tourists going to Vaishno Devi.A trip to the Holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, is an enchanting experience both for the body and soul.For the believers it's a spiritual journey and all about fulfillment of wishes.The holy shrine is actually a cave 61 kms North of Jammu and a 13kms trek from the base station at katra.Devotees undertake a tough yatra to reach the shrine.Darshan takes place round the clock throughout the year.At a distance of one km from Katra is Banganga.You need a registration slip to cross this point.The slip can be obtained from the Yatri registration centre from near the bus stand.You have the option of getting it even on-line.The slip has to be shown while entering the Darbar and this determines your number in the queue for Darshan.

The Vaishno Devi temple attracts lakhs of devotees every year.The number of devotees visiting the temple per year now has crossed 5 million. This is because of the absolute faith of the devotees who visit the temple from all parts of India and abroad.
You also have the option of reaching the Darbar via helicopter but real adventure lies in taking a little pain and going enmass on foot.The Goddess is represented in three divine aspects.

1.Mahakali-The fierce form of Goddess.

2.Saraswati-Goddess of Knowledge and 

3.Lakshmi-Goddess of Wealth.

According to legend the trip is not complete until you visit the Bhairavnathe temple,one and a half kilometres away atop an adjacent hill.

How to get there:

The only way to get there is by road.Taxis are available from almost all places in Jammu to Vaishno Devi temple.The charges depend upon the place you start your travel from.

Where to stay:

Vaishnavi Dham:
Double Bedded, AC, Carpetted@Rs. 650/- 
Suite, AC Carpetted@Rs. 900/-
Niharika Phase - I:
Double Bedded Non-AC, Non-Carpetted@Rs. 500/-
Niharika Phase - II:
Double Bedded, AC, Carpetted@Rs. 700/-
Main Bhawan Complex:
Double Bedded@Rs. 800/-
Four Bedded@Rs. 1200/-
Vaishnavi & Gouri Bhawan:Six Bedded Hut@Rs. 1000/-
Dormitory accommodation is available @ Rs. 60/- per bed at Katra,Saraswati Dham and @ Rs.80/- per bed at Bhawan.