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.

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One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. The most sacred and most ancient book of India, the Rig Veda evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, ritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time. But Shiva, the destroyer, the mendicant, is indefinable: he is the great yogi, the guardian of the absolute. His actions are the themes of the myths in which his nature unfolds.
Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

Amarnath is 145 km east of Srinagar in Kashmir. There is an ice Silva-linga here that changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6 ft high. It is located in a glacial valley at 4,175 m (13,700 ft.). The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. Within the cave there are four or five ice formations that resemble the figures of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as Siva (Amarnath).

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Tourist Places Near Jammu

Kud

Kud, a place of extraordinary scenic beauty is situated 103 Kms away from Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. This popular resort is situated on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at an altitude of 1738 metres. This place is an ideal picnic spot as it has a bracing climate to uplift your life and give it a new meaning. This serene locale is a perfect place to unwind with your near and dear ones.
Regular transport is available from Jammu. Buses are available from General Bus stand Jammu. JKTDC also makes available chartered luxury coaches and buses. Taxis can also be hired from scores of Tour/Travel operators from across the city of Jammu , Jammu and Kashmir, India. Similar services towards Kud are available from Railway Station. Fares are pre determined by the Govt. and are subject to change.

Sudh Mahadev

The town of Chanhani, located in the western part of the Jammu holds special significance as it houses a great piece of art - the Sacred Temple of Sudh Mahadev. Chaudhari Ramdas of Chanhani and his son Chaudhari Parag Mahajan constructed the temple about 80 years ago. Shri Masu Shahane of Sudh Mahadev did the construction of the entrance door of the temple of Sudh Mahadev, an esteemed place of worship for devotees of Lord Shiva.
This holy spot near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 mtrs, about 120 kms from Jammu, the city of ancient temples. The shrine is visited by pilgrims on the full moon night of "Saawan" (July-August) to worship the "Trishul" (trident) and a mace which is said to belong to Lord Shiva. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometres down stream. During the month of July and August, a fair is held here with 3 days of music, singing and dancing. This divine place is situated at a distance of 8 kms from Kud or Patnitop.

Mansar Lake

It's a beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills situated 62 Kms away from Jammu. Apart from being a picnic spot, Mansar Lake has the religious importance too. On the Eastern Bank of the Lake there is a shrine of Sheshnaag, a mythological snake with six heads. The shrine comprises a big boulder on which are placed a number of iron chains perhaps representing the small serpents waiting on the tutelary deity of the Sheshnaag.

Akhnoor

Akhnoor is a beautiful town situated at a distance of 32 kms from Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Chenab river meets the plain in Akhnoor, just north-west of Jammu, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. This was originally the route to Srinagar in the Moghul era of Jehangir, who died on the way to Kashmir and was temporarily buried at Chingas.
Akhnoor is also related with the legend of Sohni-Mahiwal, the eternal love story. This is a historic town where one can visit the ruins of the great Indus-valley civilization spread along the river Chenab. The whole area commands a panoramic view of Akhnoor to enthrall your life.

Shiv Khori

This holy cave situated 100 Kms away from Jammu and 70 Kms from Katra, is nearly a kilometre long with a 4-feet high naturally formed Shivling. It's considered second only to the shrine of Vaishnodeviji according to religious importance.
The Holy Cave abode of Lord Shiva is a real wonder to be seen. The cave is in the shape of Lord Shiva's Damroo i.e. wide at the two ends while very congested at the center. The width of the cave is so less at certain place that a person can barely crawl through whereas at other places it's over a hundred feet wide and quite high too. There are lots of features which can be observed in the cave, however the best of them is the natural milky water dripping from the top to the Shivling symbolizing the eternity of the holy river Ganga. The place hosts a major fair on the eve of Shivratri.

Baba Dhansar

This Temple of Lord Shiva is located at a distance of about 15 Kms from Katra on way to Salal Dam. Here, a huge spring emerges from the rocks in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small cascading waterfalls before ultimately flowing into the Holy rivulet that merges with the Chenab River.
There is a naturally formed Shivling on which droplets of water fall at a constant pace all the year round. A big fair is held here during Shivratri. For the facility of the yatris visiting the place, the Shrine Board has carried out some developments including the construction of a Dharamshala.

Shahdra Sharief

The shrine of Shahdra Sharief in Rajouri district, 177 kms from Jammu is one of the most popular Muslim shrines of Jammu region, visited by thousand of devotees every day.Shahdra Sharief is well connected with Rajouri town by a 30 kilometre-long road. Regular bus service operates from Rajouri and even Jammu to Shahdra Sharief. Taxis of all kinds are available from Jammu as well as Rajouri for visiting this very popular holy shrine.

Kishtawar

Kishtawar, the upland valley in the north-east corner of Jammu region lies ensconced among the picturesque folds of the Pir Panjal and the Great Himalayan Ranges. The area is drained by the Chenab river system which, flowing in from neighbouring Himachal Pradesh enters the area through Paddar, home of the famous sapphire mines.

Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda Devi Mandir is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh on the banks of Banganga (Baner) River. Temple dates back to the 16th century. The temple is dedicated to Chamunda Devi, who is a form of Durga Maa. Chamunda Devi is considered as the wrathful form of Durga, but at the same time, the Goddess is kind to her true devotees. The term 'Chamunda' has been derived from two words, 'Chanda' and 'Munda'. As per the mythological legends, Durga made a goddess with her power, to slay the demons, Chanda and Munda. With her immense power, the Goddess killed the demons. Goddess Durga became happy with the slaughter and blessed the goddess that she would be known and worshipped as Chamunda. The main shrine is adored by the images of Lord Bhairav and Lord Hanuman on its sides. Actually, these lords are considered as the guards of the Goddess. Temple is also known as 'Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham'. The temple was originally located at some remote spot which was not easily accessible. Around 400 years ago the king and a Brahmin priest prayed to Devi for permission to move the temple to some easily accessible location. Devi appeared to the priest in a dream giving her consent. She directed him to dig in a certain spot and an ancient idol would be found and that idol should be installed in the temple and worshipped as her form. The king sent out men to bring the idol. Although they were able to locate it but were not able to lift it. Again Devi appeared to the priest in a dream. She explained that the men could not lift the holy relic because they considered it an ordinary stone. She instructed him to get up early in the morning, take a bath, wear fresh clothes and go to the place in a respectful manner. He did as he was told and found that he could easily lift what a large group of men could not. He told the people that it was the power of the Goddess that brought the idol to the temple. The Chamunda Devi Temple is said to be more than 700 years old. There is a Kund (tank) where devotees take a dip. The idol in the main temple is considered so sacred that even the eyes of devotees are not allowed to touch upon it; it is kept completely concealed beneath a red cloth. There are several brightly painted figures of gods and goddesses around the place.

The Story of Vaishno Devi

To know the history of the temple we must go back to Treta Yug when the virtuous people were tormented by the Asuras (demons) Ravana, Kumb-Karan, Khardooshan, Tadka and others. The Gods decided to create a divine personality, in the roop (form) of a girl for their protection. The divine girl asked the Gods the cause and reason for her birth. The divine forces told her that she had been created to protect Dharma and rekindle spirit of religion. She took birth in South India at the home of Ratnakar Sagar as a girl named Trikuta. Later the same girl was called Vaishno because of her taking birth from Lord Vishnu’s lineage. The religion propagated by this goddess girl was called Vaishno-Dharm.

In her lifetime Trikuta attracted many devoted followers including saints. The fame of her divine power and miracle spread far and wide. People started visiting the abode of Trikuta to get benediction.

After some time Trikuta sought permission from her father for taking penance on the seashore. She prayed to Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama who reached the seashore alongwith his army in search of Sita, his eyes fell on this divine girl in deep meditation. Rama asked Trikuta her name and reason for penance. She replied that she had accepted Rama as her husband by mind and heart.

On hearing this Ram told her that he had vowed to be faithful to wife. However, Ram ji wished that penance of Trikuta should no go waste and unfruitful. Therefore he said to her, “I will definitely come to see you in a disguised form. If you can recognise me at that time then I will accept you.”

It is said that on his return from Lanka, Lord Rama went to see the girl in the form of an old monk (Sadhu) but she did not recognise him as God.

He revealed his identity and assured Trikuta that in ‘Kaliyug’ he would manifest himself as ‘Kalki’ would marry her.

He asked Trikuta to meditate in Trikuta range of Manik Mountains, situated in north India. He said that Trikuta would become immortal forever and would become famous as ‘Vaishno Devi’.

Vaishno Devi Tours and Travel Packages

This is probably India’s most well-known pilgrimage and attracts millions of devotees from all over India. The deep belief in the Mata at Vaishnodevi goes beyond all rational perception. Aged people, youngsters, families and children, all walk up the arduous journey to the shrine, in spite of physical hardship, cold weather and the jostling crowds. The experience at the shrine is said to be so deeply spiritual that worshippers make this journey over and over again many times in their lifetime.

Pilgrims have to arrive at the town of Katra, 50km from Jammu, which is the starting point of the pilgrimage. From here they climb up a paved track – 3 km uphill and then 3 km downhill – to reach the holy cave or Bhavan where the goddesses’ idol is housed. There is another original track which is much more steep and difficult. A few pilgrims even opt to climb that, but the majority use the new track. The entire arrangements.

JAI MATA DI

High, High to the north, amidst snow capped mountains and sprawling forests arise from within the holy shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi. Our journey takes you to this awesome wilderness, a place so holy and sacred, a place of mystery and adventure scarcely known to most in modern world. The Yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims cover 13km of terrain on foot to reach the holy Darbar. There is a common faith among the folk that Goddess-Vaishno sends a 'Call' to her devotees : and that once a person receives it, wherever he or she is, marches towards the holy shrine of the great Goddess. Howsoever difficult the passage may be : the difficult ascents, with innumerable stairs, are accomplished on foot by those who had never walked even small distances at their homes. A supernatural power seems to draw them through the mountain and they climb up those great heights step by step, chanting 'Prem se bolo, JAI MATA DI' The Holy Cave Shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi is situated in a beautiful recess of the Holy Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas as in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.