The “Vaishno Devi” temple is one of the “Shakti Peeths” of goddess ‘ Durga’. This holy place of “Mata Vaishno Devi” located in the folds of mighty ‘Tirkuta’ Hills’ attracts millions of devotees from all parts of India and abroad.
‘Vaishnavi’ means the one who is related to lord “Vishnu”. Goddess Vaishnavi is the manifestation of the collective spiritual strengths of Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati.
How To Reach Vaishno Devi Temple:
In order to visit the Holy Temple of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, one has to reach Katra, a small town situated around 50 kms. from Jammu and 35 Kms from District HQ Udhampur and is linked by road and train. If you want to go by air then you have to go to Jammu Airport then take ride to Katra. However train goes directly from Delhi to Katra with name of “shri shakti express”
Katra to Bhawan Yatra:
The Entry gate of Yatra is called Darshani Deodhi or Darshani Darwaza.Legend says that Mata Vaishno Devi met Pandit Shridhar at this spot in the form of a girl child. It is known as Darshani Darwaza because from here one gets a complete view of the Trikuta mountain.
Through this Darshani Darwaza Devotees can take new or old track however new track is more convenient. First stop is Ban Ganga then Charan Paduka, Adhkuwari, Himkoti, Sanjhichhat, Bhairon Ghati then final Mata Bhawan.