The Place
Vaishnavdevi shrine is located in the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir. A small town Katra is the way and means for reaching out to the temple. The town is located in a high altitude and in the hilly region of lower Himalayas in the Trikuta range . Similarly, the case with the shrine of Vaishnavdevi, situated about 61 kms from Jammu, in the an altitude of about 5,200 feet over the sea level. The exact location of the site up hill is around 14 kms from the Katra town . On reaching out here, the experience is totally a different. Enchanting view of the different valleys, filled with lush green trees, humming sounds of the bees and chirping sounds of the birds, echoes of the devotees "Jai mata ki"," Jai mata di", Jai Jai maiya and so on, all along the path and water falls with their silvery brightness is not a thing to miss. All that is worth seeing and admiring far away from the madding crowd, unending sounds of the modern machines and vehicles. To reach on to the top of the hill one has to climb up by any of the routes available there. Devotees from all over India and abroad comes here to have a 'Darshan' of the Goddess presiding in the hills. Pilgrims in the earlier day’s used to begin their journey during the days of 'Navaratri' ( a special night in September) and continuing for 3 months consecutively. During these three months at Katra, Vaishnavdevi and other temples hosts many wonderful programs dedicated to the Goddess. The 'Homos' and 'Yagnas' (rituals)celebrated by the devotees and pilgrims. There is an un-disputed belief about the Holy Places or Teerthasthal that they provide the much needed relief, peace and happiness to the visitor who came under the refuge of Mother Goddess from the daily hustles of life. Before going for the Darshan of Goddess one has to bathe in variably. There are various bathing places made for the same purpose. There is also arrangements at ‘Charanganga’ which comes out of the holy cave. People can use this water for bathing. Then after the pilgrims sit down as per the serial number on the given slip and wait for their turn to have a Darshan of Goddess. It is to be noted that the pilgrims are not allowed to carry any sort of leather items, cigarettes or any other intoxicants while visiting the holy shrine. In the main entrance of the cave, there is a huge stone lying which is called Bhairav’s body. There is a continuous water flow from this cave. One will not be in a position to stand erect anywhere inside the cave. In fact no body can under stand the intricacy of the shape of the cave, shrine and the rest of the things in the Vaishnavdevi. One who is really bestowed with the grace of the Goddess for her Darshan only can understand this metaphysical phenomenon. Here in the cave of the hills Goddess Vaishnavdevi is presiding deity in Her earthly abode in the forms of Mahalakshmi, Mashasaraswati and Mahakali. Some people says that out of the three presiding deities, the prominent incarnation is Goddess Vaishnavdevi. Speaking about the cave, the space would be sufficient for 3-4 people. Seated here in the very place Pundit takes the offerings of the devotees to the Goddess and gives out ‘Prasad’ to the devotees. After taking a Darshan people have to come out though the new exit, which is made a few years ago for the convenience of the pilgrims by the Shrine Board. After coming out of the temple people worship young girls and serve them Puri and Halwah( prasad ). After visiting Goddess Vaishnavdevi, people start their return journey towards Katra with Darshan of Bhairavnath where their pilgrimage ends at.
History of Maa Vishnodevi
Mahishasur", a Giant, son of "Rambha" became very powerful by the blessing of supreme God Brahma. All the demi-gods were attacked by Mahishasur and insulted by the Giant. Their king "Devraj Indra" was defeated and dethroned by him. At this situation, the king "Devraj Indra" with some of his fellow beings approaches Lord Brahma and Shiva to save them from the atrocities of the demon Mahishasur. They all decide to approach Lord Vishnu and plain him of the Mahishasur. Thus, headed by Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva all the demi-gods proceed to Lord Vishnu and brief him about the demon king and implored him enabling a plan to finish the wicked . Lord Vishnu, after hearing from them, told them that Mahishasur’s death is very imminent in the hands of a young women. You all bestow, all your mighty powers there and go to your places and be happy." Thus hearing from the supreme personality of the Godhead, having been satisfied with the answer of the Lord all the demi-gods presented their specific powers to form the divine creation. As this happened, all the powers got together and formed as a bright and powerful mightiest force out of which a most beautiful and powerful femme fatale "Mahashakti" emerged. Then all the demi-gods became very happy and presented their powerful weapons to the Goddess. Then Brahma addressed the goddess- " Oh the mighty one! May your name be "Thrikala", and you shall always be protecting this world. Depending on the quality you will be invocated by many names . You expand in to the three different forms, as you see three colours in you". And thus Goddess expands into three different forms, which are of white, red and black. Out of Brahma’s potency" Mahasaraswathi", and out of Vishnu’s potency "Mahalakshmi", and out of lord Shiva’s potency "Mahakali" has been emerged".
In the cave, goddess is present in all these three forms and these three collectively known as "Vaishnavi". But there is no any other difference in these three forms. Though in appearance there is a difference, but the goddess is one in spirit. Only by nature of function the name differs. The three things like desire, intelligence and execution without which no task gets completed. In addition to this, there is yet another psychological reasons in this world if one has to lead a happy life, he has to be in possession of intelligence, wealth and good health. For attaining all these three, the process of worshipping the goddess is given.
The goddess (Adishakti) promised the demi-gods that as when the baddies rise and disturb them (demi-gods) she would incarnate and vanquish the demons. Thus to keep up her words the goddess killed the demons like- Mahishasur, Chand-Mund, Shumb-Nishumb and Rakthabeej and et'al. Hence, over the millions of years, on the Shatashrunga mountains, worship of Lord Vishnu being kept in by the Goddess ‘Vaishno’ through meditation. As the goddess is a devotee of Lord Vishnu, power of Lord Vishnu and the purpose for executing Lord Vishnu’s work has popularly been known as "Vaishnavdevi" or Vaishno’ throughout the universe. As was enumerated earlier- "Saraswati"," Mahakali" and "Mahalakshmi" together are called "Vaishnavdevi".
posted by Sakshi at 12:38 AM | 0 Comments
Vaishnodevi Yatra
