Another train for Vaishno Devi on June 11

After receiving overwhelming response to Vaishno Devi pilgrimage tour, the Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to run another special train for the cave shrine situated in Jammu on June 11.

The first train will be flagged off on June 5 from Lucknow. As the special train now has a houseful board tagged on it several days before its scheduled departure date, the IRCTC officials have decided to run another train to meet the demands of the passengers. Hundreds of passengers returned disappointed from IRCTC booking offices after coming to know that the special train had no berth to offer.

A person willing to travel to Vaishno Devi shrine is required to pay Rs 2,052 for getting his seat confirmed in the special train. The IRCTC officials claimed of offering the cheapest tour package, which includes travelling fare, lodging and accommodation, meals, bus fare from Jammu to Katra etc.

Railways running special tour for Vaishno Devi

The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation ( IRCTC) is running a railway tour for Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. The tour will continue till June 30.

The package includes visit to the religious shrine through train and road transport. The train travel will include AC-3 and sleeper classes. While passengers booing tickets for AC-3 class will be taken in Jammu Rajdhani Express from New Delhi station, those travelling in the sleeper class will be taken by Uttar Sampark Kranti Express. The journey in AC-3 will cost Rs 3950 per person while that in the sleeper class will cost Rs 1650 per person.

Besides the rail travel, the tour package will include road travel from Jammu/Katra, yatra slip (for Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan) and stay in reputed hotels.

Mata Vaishno Devi is a popular pilgrimage in the country and is visited by lakhs of devotees round-the-year. Over 50 lakh devotees from India and abroad visit the shrine every year.

Goddess Vaishno Devi resides in a cave located in the folds of the three-peak mountain Trikuta. The cave is situated at an altitude of 5,200 feet. Pilgrims have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. Darshan can be done round-the-clock throughout the year.

To visit the Holy Shrine, one has to reach Katra, a small town situated around 50 kms from Jammu. It is located at an altitude of about 2500 feet.

According to legend, Mata Vaishno Devi met Pandit Shridhar in the form of a girl child at the spot which is today known as the Darshani Darwaza. It is also known as Darshani Darwaaza because from here one gets a complete view of Trikuta mountain.

Nilgiri Hills : Travel Information

Nilgiris- The Blue Mountains      ===>  Tour Packages of Nilgiri Hills

Nilgiri means "Blue Mountains". The entire area of the Blue Mountains constitutes the present district of Nilgiri. The height of Nilgiri hills in the Blue Mountain range varies between 2,280 and 2,290 metres, the highest peak being Doddabetta at a height of 2,623 metres.




The Beauty Of Nilgiris Hills in Tamil Nadu

Nilgiris derives its charm from its natural setting. The steep hills and fantastically narrow valleys with numerous rivers and rivulets running in all directions with a few fine waterfalls here and there provide beautiful scenery. The temperate and most equable climate further heightens the attractiveness of the place. The major tea growing areas in the South are the Nilgiris hills and these tea gardens are beautiful to watch.




Adventure And Trekking In The Nilgiris

The Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature, the Nilgiri hills abound in trek for lovers of nature. There are treks and treks in whichever direction you turn and from whichever point you start. A trek can be full of thrill, excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour.

Trekking pamphlets are available with the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (NWLEA). There are guides who have sound knowledge of certain areas. If necessary, their services may be hired. And for further details contact the Tourist Information Office at Charing Cross, Ooty.

Location And Boundaries of Nilgiri Hills

High above the sea level, situated at the junction of the two ghat ranges of the Sahayadri Hills, Nilgiri district provides a fascinating view. Kerala on the west, the Mysore State on the north, and Coimbatore district on the east and south bound it. Headquarters of Nilgiris district is Udhagamandalam (also called as Ooty).

How to Get There
•Air
Coimbatore, 105-km from Ooty, is the nearest airport. It has daily flights to and from Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum.
•Rail
Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway connected to Mettupalayam (47-km), which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
•Road
A good network of roads and national highways connect Ooty with all major towns and cities. There are regular bus services to and from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati and other important destinations in South India. Ooty is also well connected with major cities of Kerala and Karnataka.

Coonoor and Kotagiri are also well connected by road with the major cities and towns of the state. For local transportation, auto rickshaws and taxis are available.
Hill Stations In The Nilgiri Hills
•Ooty ( Udhagamandalam )
Udhagamandalam (Ooty), the headquarters of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 kilometres away from Coimbatore. The Botanical Gardens and the Doddabetta peak (the highest peak in the Nilgiris, located 10-km from Ooty) are the major attractions.
•Kotagiri
Kotagiri is located 16-km away from Ooty and it is the oldest hill station of the Nilgiris. Kotagiri is situated at an altitude of 1,950m, which was once a British hill resort, that dates back to 1819 and is quieter than Ooty. Elk falls, Kodanad viewpoint and Catherine falls are a few places to visit.
•Coonoor
Coonoor is situated on the eastern side of the southern extremity of the Doddabetta range, at an altitude of 1,858 metres above the sea level. It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. Coonoor is located 19-km away from Ooty and is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.
Fair & Festival in Nilgiri Hills
•Tea And Tourism Festival
The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, jointly celebrate the annual Tea and Tourism Festival during the months of January-February in the Nilgiris. The festival is held for 3 days. Varieties of tea are on display. Visitors can also taste and select from the wide varieties of tea available.
•Summer Festival
There are several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. With the Summer Festivals, the hills are even hospitable to welcome the visitors. The summer festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikanal and the salubrious heights of Yercaud - where boat races, flower and fruit shows are specially organized.
Major Attractions of Nilgiri Hills
The Nilgiris, the most popular hill resort of the south has a number of tourist of attractions, which chiefly include the Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, Mukkurthi Peak, the Pykara Dam and sprawling tea plantations.
•Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens are a major tourist attraction for those who visit Ooty. They sprawl over 50-acres and lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, which is the highest point in Ooty. Marquis of Tweeddale established these gardens in the year 1848.
•Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the sanctuary, following the course of the Mayyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.

This 321-sq-kms wide sanctuary encompasses a National Park measuring an area of 103-sq-kms. The sanctuary has varied mixture of flat land, open grassland, swamp and valleys. Apart from the wide range of animal and bird life, the rich fauna of this sanctuary has made Mudumalai very popular with wildlife enthusiasts.
•Ooty Lake
An artificial lake constructed in 1824 by Mr. Sullivan. The lake garden is an added attraction.
•Doddabetta
Doddabetta is the highest peak (2,623 mts.) in the Nilgiris and offers beautiful vistas of the hill ranges, plateaus and plains around. It is 10-km from Ooty. There is a good motorable road to reach the peak.
•Dolphin's Nose
Dolphin's Nose is about 12-km from Coonoor. The Nose is unique rock of tremendous proportions, jutting out of the face of the hillside in formation in which its name suggests. It exposes a vast panorama, which encompasses Catherine falls.
•Pykara
Pykara is situated about 21-km from Ooty. Some of the tourist attractions of this place are well-protected fenced sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boathouse with restaurant and a rest house are available at Pykara.
•The Mukkurthi Peak and National Park
About 40-km from Ooty there is a beautiful peak called "Mukkurthi". The Mukkurthi National Park is located on the Southern corner of the Nilgiri Plateau. The Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak are other major peaks around. A number of little perennial streams flow between these peaks, which fall into Bhavani Puzha. Silent Valley is located on the Western side in the Western Ghat, which is a feast to the visitor's eye.
•Kodanad Viewpoint
Kodanad Viewpoint located at a distance of 16-km from Kotagiri commands a panoramic view of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris.
•Laws Falls
Laws falls are a beautiful picnic spot, named after Lt. Colonel Law, who traced and mainly constructed the Coonoor Ghat. They are about 5-km below Coonoor on Mettupalayam road. The height of the falls is about 180 feet. There are vast stretches of undisturbed sholas and it is a paradise for naturalists.

Places to stay in Nilgiri Hills
Accommodation is available at the hotels, guesthouses and lodges in the hill stations in the Nilgiris (Ooty and Coonoor). Coonoor has its share of luxury and budget hotels to guesthouses and picturesque resorts. Upper Coonoor is highly recommended.

In Ooty, varied accommodation options varying from luxurious and economy class hotels to lodges and resorts are available. Both Indian and Western style accommodation and food are available. Prior booking is advisable, especially during the summer months. It is also possible to get paying guest accommodations through brokers haunting the bus stand/railway station.
Click here for Hotels in Nilgiri Hills

Shopping in Nilgiri Hills

Just about anything available in the cities can be had at Ooty with the added attraction of leisurely shopping. Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda embroideries, plant nurseries are easily available in the town. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and general groceries. Kairali of Kerala Handicrafts and Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts have their showrooms near to Super Market Buildings on Charring Cross.

Shopping in Nilgiri Hills
•Coimbtore - 55 km
•Coonoor - 13 km
•Erode - 113 km
•Namakkal - 161 km
•Palni - 180 km
Tourist Office in Nilgiri Hills
Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu Supermarket Complex Charring Cross Ooty ( Udhagamandalam ) -1


Tourist Information about Nilgiri Hills
•Area (District Area): 2,459-sq-kms
•Population (district): 7,10,210 (1991 Census)
•Latitude: N 11° and 11° 55'
•Longitude: E 76°13'and 77° 2'
•Altitude: 2,280 and 2,290 metres
•Clothing: Heavy woollen in winter and light woollen in summer
•Languages Spoken: Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and English
•STD Code: 0423
•Climate: Temperate and Most Equable
•Temperature Range (deg C):
◦Summer- Max 25ºC, Min 10ºC
◦Winter- Max 21ºC, Min 5ºC
•Rainfall: 1,960 mm


Tour Packages of Nilgiri Hills




Few Image By Cam

Tour Packages of Nilgiri Hills ,Mysore,Banglore

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• Day 01 : Banglore – Mysore
  Arrival at Banglore Airport & drive to Mysore. Arrive & Check in at Hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour visiting Brindavan Gardens, Chamundeswari Temple etc. Overnight stay at Mysore.
• Day 02 : Mysore - Ooty
  After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Ooty. Arrive & Check in at Hotel. Evening free for leisure & own activities. Overnight stay at Ooty.
• Day 03 : Ooty
  After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour visiting Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Lamb's Rock etc. Overnight stay at Ooty.
• Day 04 : Ooty - Kodaikanal
  After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Kodaikanal. Arrive & Check in at Hotel. Overnight stay at Kodaikanal.
• Day 05 : Kodaikanal
  After breakfast, proceed for local sightseeing tour visiting Berijam Lake, Bryant park, Rock Pillar etc. Overnight stay at Kodaikanal.
• Day 06 : Kodaikanal – Coimbatore / Banglore Airport
  After Breakfast, check out from the Hotel & transfer to Coimbatore / Banglore Airport.

Vaishno Devi Guffa Yatra in Houston

Richmond, TX: After a long 5 months effort by Ravi Shakar and Savita Puri, a spectacular event; Mata ki Chowki was organized on May 14 at the Richmond residence of Sachin and Radha Sharma.

The nine day long event was open to all and was attended by more than 150 people every day. The entire journey from Katra to Maa Vaishno Devi's Bhawan was recreated to give feeling of India, yet being thousands of miles away from it. They faced many obstacles , however by Mataji's blessings, those obstacles became a learning curve and they are proud to have presented this one of a kind experience in USA.

During the journey through "Guffa", devotess passed through Banganga, Charan paduka, Ardhkuwari, Vaishno-Dhaba, Sanjhi Chhat and Charan Ganga before entering the Bhawan. Lots of props were placed along the way to bring the feel of the actual yatra. At the end of the yatra, at Charan Ganga, devotees stepped in a small section of icy cold water.

Safety was their number one priority, while building the guffa. The entire yatra was made of wooden studs and PVC pipes and utmost care was taken to maintain structural integrity for safe passage through it. The Ardhkuwari (Garb June) was built to a level that was not too tight and carpet was placed underneath to accomodate people crawling through it. There was also a Bypass created for elderly and for those who decided not to crawl through the cave.

Many dedicated volunteers were present at different stages of the Guffa to help and guide devotees. "We were truely blessed that our vision came to life and was well appreciated by all Mata ke bhakt", Said Ravi Shakra Puri, the main organizer of the event.

(Courtesy: www.indoamerican-news.com)

Purnagiri Temple

One of the 108 Siddha Peeths, Maa Purnagiri Devi Temple(Mandir) is 21 kms away from Tanakpur, Tunyas is 17 kms and from there 3 km trek leads to Purnagiri Mandir. Tanakpur is linked by direct bus service with all major cities and other Districts.
Purnagiri Shakti Peeth is one of the ancient Shakti Peeths of India. The navel part of Mata Sati fell at this place. This Shakti Peeth is situated on top of the Annapurna hills which is around 20 kms from the Tanakpur town in Champawat district. This place is situated on Nepal border. Here the entry of unholy men or menstruating women are prohibited. It is said that if any one comes here in this state then that person becomes blind.
According to an olden legend, in the time of Satya Yuga Daksha Prajapati prepared a sacrificial ceremonial, for which he invited everybody except Lord Shiva because Daksha was angry for her daughter Sati wedded the 'yogi' God Shiva against his wishes. Parvati on discover that it was her father's deception to disgrace her husband immolated herself in the bonfire. While her husband carried her dead body, the places where the parts of her body knock down were recognized as Shakti Peeth. The Shakti Peeth holds the prime position among Malikagiri, Kalikagiri, and Himlagiri Peeths.
During time of Navratras, in the Chaitra month of the Indian calendar, devotees in large number come here to have their wishes fulfilled. After worshipping in Mata Purnagiri Temple, people also pay their tributes to her dedicated follower Bada Sidth Nath at Brahmadev and Mahendra Nagar in Nepal because it necessary for all devotee.
As per a common belief, every person who comes here with sincere faith and devotion has his prayers answered. During Navratras, in the Chaitra month of the Indian calendar, devotees in large number come here to have their wishes fulfilled. After worshiping in Mata Purnagiri Temple, people also pay their tributes to her loyal devotee Bada Sidth Nath at Brahmadev and Mahendra Nagar in Nepal.
On one side of the Shaktipeeth is the beautiful view of Sharada river and on the other is heart winning view of hills. To reach here a person can use road transport or railway from Baresli or Pilibhit and reach Tanakpur. From here a person will have to use bus or taxi for 19 kms to Bhairav temple and then 3 kms on foot through the hilly areas and reach the temple of Mata.

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.

Sharda Devi Temple Maihar

Maihar is known for the temple of revered mother goddess Sharda situated on Trikuta hill of Maihar(Madhya Pradesh).Sharda Devi temple situated on the top of the a Trikuta hill around 5 km from the heart of the town. This temple is known for the 1063 steps to the top. Millions of devotees throng the temple all round the year. The introduction of Ropeway system from September 2009 has been a great boon to the pilgrims (particularly the old and the handicapped) to fulfill their wish to have the audience of Mother Goddess Sharda.There is one ancient inscription near the feet of stone sculpture of Sharda Devi situated in Sharda Devi temple. There is another statue of Lord Narsingh along with Sharda Devi.
Local tradition reveals that the warriors Alha and Udal, who had war with Prithvi Raj Chauhan, are associated with this place. Both the brothers were very strong followers of Sharda Devi. It is said that Alha penanced for 12 years and got the amaratva with the blessings of Sharda Devi. Alha and Udal are said to be the first to visit the goddess in this remote forest. Alha used to call the mother goddess by the name 'Sharda Mai' and henceforth she became popular as 'Mata Sharda Mai'. One can see down hill behind the temple, the pond known as 'Alha Pond'. Recently this pond and the surrounding areas has been cleaned / renovated for the benefit of pilgrims. At a distance of 2 km from this pond is situated the akhara of Alha and Udal where they did practice of kusti.
Maihar is placed quite well as far as connectivity is concerned . It is connected via both major rail routes & NH 7 (national highway). Maihar Railway Station is situated in between Katni and Satna stations of West Central Railway. During Nav Ratra festivals there is heavy rush of pilgims. Therefore during thse days all UP and DOWN trains stop at Maihar for convenience of passengers.