Maa Vindhyavasini Devi Temple

Maa Vindhyavasini Devi Temple is located in Vindhyachal, 8km far from Mirzapur, and around 80km far from Allahabad (Prayag) on the banks of the holy River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It’s one of the most revered Shaktipeeths of the presiding deity, Maa Vindhyavasini Devi. The temple is visited by huge number of people daily. A very Large congregations are held during Navratras in Chaitra (April) and Ashwin (October) months.The tradition song (Kajali) competitions are held in the month of Jyestha (June). The temple is located just 2 km from the Kali Khoh, an ancient cave temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.

70 km. (one and a half hour drive) from Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a renowned religious city dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini. Mythologically goddess Vindhyavasini is believed to be the instant bestower of bendiction. There are several temples of other deities in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and kalikhoh Temple, which constitute the Trikona Parikrama (circumambulation).

Ashtabhuja Devi Temple

Ashtabhuja Devi Temple is situated at the top of the Vindhya Mountain in Vindhayachal. According to legends the girl child born to Vasudev and Devaki, parents of Lord Krishna, flew miraculously from the grip of Kamsa when he attempted to bash her to death, and descended here. This temple within a cave of a hillock, 3 km from Vindhyavasini Devi temple, is dedicated to her.

Kali Khoh

Kali Khoh is an very old cave temple out-and-out to Goddess Kali, situated in Vindhyachal. The temple is located just 2 km from the Maa Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini Devi.

Maa Durga

Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshipped as the supreme power of the Supreme Being and has been mentioned in many scriptures - Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and Taittareya Brahman.

The Meaning of "Durga"
The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun. Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.

The Many Forms of Durga

There are many incarnations of Durga: Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Rajeswari, et al. Durga incarnated as the united power of all divine beings, who offered her the required physical attributes and weapons to kill the demon "Mahishasur". Her Nine appellations are Skondamata, Kusumanda, Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta and Siddhidatri.

Some other beautiful places near Vaishno Devi

Raghunath Temple

Situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by a group of other temples, this temple dedicated to Lord Rama is outstanding and unique in Northern India. Work on the temple was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1835 AD and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860 AD.
Ranbireshwar temple

Located on the Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat, and built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in1883 AD, Ranbireshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has one central 'Lingam' measuring seven and a half feet height (7.5 ft.) and twelve Shiva 'Lingams' of crystal measuring from 15 cms. To 38 cms. and galleries with thousands of Shiva 'Lingams' fixed on stone slabs.
Amarmahal

This was once the residential palace of Raja Amar Singh. the palace has been converted to a museum and is looked after by Hari-Tara Charitable trust. The museum has a golden throne made of 120kg pure gold sofa and has golden lions embedded into it. The throne is placed in a hexagonal room. This is a beautiful palace of red sand stone which stands amidst the most picturesque environments of Jammu. There is beautiful view of the Shiwaliks at the north and the River Tawi flows down below. adding to the Grandeur.
Bahu Fort

Five kms from Jammu city situated on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi, this is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in the city. Constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago, the existing Fort was more recently improved and built by Dogra rulers.
Mansar Lake

Sixty kms. A beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills. Boating facilities are available on the spot. Every year around Baisakhi, a food and crafts festival is organised here by J&K Tourism.

A Unforgettable trip to Vaishno Devi

Vaishnodevi is a famous Indian pilgrimage center located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is close to the summer capital, Jammu.

I am Yogender Chauhan and I am going to Share my memorable moment  by this blog. I was then (2010) working at Gurgaon, an industrial town of state Haryana close to New Delhi. On 12 of Dec (Wednesday), I planned and started to Vaishnodevi. I decided to travel with family. From Gurgaon, We left around 5.00 pm and reached Delhi Railway station, Delhi.We have reserved seats to Jammu for a Train (Jammu Mail)which is about to start at 6.15 pm.

Since it is the lean season, We found no trouble in getting a train. Usually huge rush presents. In case of bus, it is still worse.

Jammu is about 12 - 14 hours journey from New Delhi. The Train reached Jammu at 7.40 am. Then boarded a bus to Katra, which is about an hour journey. Katra is the basement of the foot path starting towards Vaishnodevi. The temple is reached by trekking about 14 km. Other facilities like pony ride, dolly services and helicopter services are also available.

At Katra, We took a bath near the bus stand, on a traveler bath house. We started our journey at about 1.00 pm. The government is issuing token / ticket for the journey. Since it is a journey on the hillside were land slides and shooting stones are possible, it is also act as a free insurance token for the victim. Usually mishaps does not happen.

On the foothill, the river Ganges flows. People use to bath here before starting their journey and do their prayer at the temple present there. There are lot of shops present for purchasing provisional, food items and offerings.

On the way on uphill, We enjoyed the natural scenery and thanked the mother nature. There are shops on all the way. Government has mended the footpath properly and lighting provided everywhere. There are usually two ways to reach the temple. One way leads to temple via Ardha Kuwari. Also short route is available with stairs, but advising elders and heart patient to follow the sliding footpath.

Since, it is a terror striking area, Government has setup an military base here and one has to cross the check post before entering the foothill.

Almost at the middle of the journey, A temple called Ardha Kuwari (Kumari), found. The place is said to be, where the goddess hide herself there when Bhairavnath chases her for about ten months. So the temple is designed such that one has to crawl inside out and the structure is like mother's womb. The crawling is to remind every one of their birth.

After the visit and collecting luggage from the cloak room (for security reason, luggage are not allowed inside the temple premises), again started our travel.

Since it was on February, Snow fall on the way near the temple enchanted my soul. We really enjoyed the situation.

About 1.00 pm, reached the top. There again has to take bath in a ice chilling water. There are separate bath areas for ladies and gents. Then redressed and kept Our luggage in the cloak room.

We bought "Bhent" for Goddess near the temple premises itself. Showing Our tickets and entered the queue and after security check allowed to enter the sanctum. We felt lucky as there was literally no one in the queue and in the sanctum just there was one another family in front of us. So We had enjoyed the sight of the goddess in the sanctum for a long time.

The goddess here is of the stone form called as "Pindi". Three adjacent stones, which are considered to be the three form of Goddess "Shakthi". The water of the river Ganges flow just below the sanctum. Produced my offerings and collected the tokens.

Then came out and on producing the tokens, We had given a bag contains Goddesses "Prasad".

Collected Our bags at cloak room and had a lunch there itself at about 1.30 pm (We had taken fast till the visit of the sanctum) and started Our downhill journey. On the way back, reached Bhairavnath temple (After Goddess defeated him, he prayed to goddess that people will shun him. On that she gave him a boon, that people who come to visit me, will also visit you to complete their journey), which is about 2 km from the temple. There is a way from Bhairavnath to the Katra.

On a non stop journey, We reached the foothill about 2.45 am and purchased dry fruits as a mark of my pilgrim trip. Took immediately a bus to Jammu. There I got reservation for a Train to New Delhi, which is about to start at 7.30 am. We reached New Delhi by 10.30 on 16 of dec..

Do & Don't
* Chant / shout goddess name "Jai mata di".
* Not to carry any thing made of leather (Purse, Belt, Camera cover, etc.,) inside temple premises.
* Free Cloak rooms are available.
* Not to walk out of the paved way.
* Government run free rest halls are available with good facilities.
* Not to use Garlic and Onion prepared food.
* Not to use alcoholic beverages and other drugs. 

package to vaishno devi tour

Vaishno Devi Helicopter Package
	Amarnath Package
	Patnitop Package
	Shirdi Package
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	Combo Package
	Srinagar Packages