VAISHNODEVI

 

We were in a group of 4. Me, my parents and my elder sister. On Sunday night, we decided to make a trip to the holy pilgrimage site of Vaishnodevi. We begin our journey at 10 AM. My sister and I wanted to take a bus but we were short of time so we boarded a train to Katra. As the night passed, we were excited as hell and couldn’t wait to reach the site. I couldn’t sleep at night so I killed the boredom with some music. Katra is a well-connected city from all major cities of the country via train. I remember we took the new Vande Matram express.

The basecamp of Vaishnodevi is located in Katra at a distance of approximately 12 kms from the temple. We preferred traveling by foot as there were many other sites within the way that drew our attention on the internet. It took us almost 5 hours. The route taken for the same is Katra-Ban Ganga-Charan Paduka-Ardhkuwari-Bhawan(temple). Ardhkuwari is the midpoint of the journey. There are multiple pit stops on the way with neat washroom facilities.

Around 09:00 am we reached at Katra. I was told by my friends that there would be a huge crowd, you might wait for 3-4 hrs.  In queue to get Bhawan Yatra Ticket which valid for next 6 hrs. to reach at main entrance. Although devotee(s) come to visit Bhawan in entire year but I believe month of Sept. is a non-peak period as there is no HINDU festival (except PITRA PAKSHA) fall in this month. We easily got ticket and move further to our way.

There are many shops of Handicraft, dry fruits and gift items in the market. I couldn’t believe that I was in door of heaven. I was so excited to move up but I was starving too. We decided to first bath then breakfast so we walk around 1.5 Km to reach at Ghaat of Ban Ganga.

After a long journey, I saw big buildings and crowd of people. It was temple of Ardhkwari. The temple was under construction. We were visiting first time so we decided not to stop here and move upward till we reach at Bhawan. Around 1o’clock we reach at Ardhkwari back and we took coupon. There was waiting of more than 24 hrs. We did not have much time so we decided to rest till morning then we will visit Maa Ardhkwari mandir without entering Garbha Goofa. We tried to get a room in any Inn, hotels or guest house but all room was booked we did not get any room. So we took 3 blankets and did rest till 7 o’clock. In Ardhkwari temple, all devotees get Blankets for free of cost, we just need to deposit security money rs. 100/blanket and we will get money back when we submit blanket to store room.

We had to reach at Jammu Railway station till 7o’clock so we did darshan of Ardhkwari maa and did breakfast. Once again were ready to start our journey downward to Katra with tired body. When we reached in Charanpaduka, we had our lunch in a restaurant.

The time didn’t permit us so we decided to end the journey here. We got return journey ticket for rs. 40 per person which rs. 20 cheaper than we paid while coming Jammu to Katra. Around 5’o clock we reached at Jammu Tawi railway station where we had Duronto Express at approx. 7:30. The train came on platform 10 min. before schedule departure of train. I found Duronto express was much better than other train of Indian Railways.

Next day we were in Delhi again and we decided to finish our journey the next time we visit. On the next day we knew what we had to do so we decided to do the framework and now we all know what we were going to do at next pilgrimage site of Vaishnodevi things online for another this is not a good one now what to do and we knew the answer for the following thing what the heck.

BY JATIN RAI