Vaishno Devi Temple: All Information, Temple Timing, Helicoptor Booking

The Vaishno Devi Temple, Located amidst the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas, lies a well respected Hindu pilgrimage site in India. This holy temple is situated in Jammu and Kashmir, and attracts millions of people globally who come to seek blessings from Mata Vaishno Devi which is also known as Mother Goddess. In this Article we provide all information and historical aspect of temple, timing, helicoptor booking process.

Vaishno Devi Temple: A Journey Through Time and Mythology

It is said that, Hindu mythology tells us an impressive story about how the divine mother goddess was manifested in the forms of Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. In the middle of a war between gods and demons, there appeared a young girl that took the form of Vaishno Devi out of the divine power of gods. She had blessed with enormous powers along with celestial weapons and pledged to guard the universe from evil forces.

Her sense of duty and righteousness led Mata Vaishno Devi to go on a journey to Trikuta Mountains so as to find herself solitude for concentration and strengthen her divine powers. It is believed that she meditated in Holy Cave or Bhawan which is situated at the top of Trikuta mountains for thousands years.

Meanwhile, Bhairon Nath(the demon), not being aware that Vaishno Devi was divinity personified, Mata Vaishno Devi always dodged his advances while remaining dedicated to God’s service through observing celibacy during this period. Mata Vaishno Devi fought against Bhairon Nath in her final battle with him taking on the form of Mahakali that was her fulfilling her divine purpose and ensuring good triumphed over evil. Bhairon Nath begged for forgiveness before his death, Mata Vaishno Devi being merciful offered a great blessing to him and also promised that his temple would be worshipped with hers.

The story of Mata Vaishno Devi’s divine intervention and victory over evil has been passed down from one generation to another inspiring millions of followers who embark on the strenuous journey to her pilgrimage site at Trikuta Mountains. Several centuries ago, Vaishno Devi Temple came into existence as the people in this region began worshiping Mother Goddess. Numerous reconstructions have taken place leading to a magnificent shrine seen today. For such a remote location nestled amid the treacherous terrain of the Himalayan foothills, Vaishno Devi Temple has become one of India’s most revered pilgrim sites receiving devotees from all walks of life. The trip to the temple is not just about walking but also representing an individual’s faithfulness and loyalty towards the goddess mother goddess.

Location and Accessibility, The Holy Cave and Architecture and Sanctum

The Yatra, also known as pilgrimage, to Vaishno Devi starts at the town of Katra, about 42 kilometres from Jammu city. From there a 12-kilometre hike takes devotees through incredible landscapes to the shrine of the holy cave. The way is well kept but demanding in nature especially for those undertaking it for the first time.

The culmination of this yatra is the दर्शन (darshan) or sacred glimpses within the sanctum sanctorum – inside the cave itself. This temple differs from others that have idols because it has three natural rock formations called pindis that stand for three forms of divinity namely Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. People usually line-up so as to witness this momentous event. There are other key places visited during this yatra such as Bhawan where langar or community kitchen serves free food regardless of religion or caste. The other halt is Adhkuwari which is considered midway where Vaishno Devi rested while meditating.

Bhairav Baba Temple associated with the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage:

Bhairav Baba Temple is located approximately 2.5 kilometers from the main Vaishno Devi Temple, nestled amidst the picturesque landscape of the Trikuta Mountains. Bhairav Baba Temple, which is dedicated to Bhairav Nath whom Mata Vaishno Devi defeated, is situated around 2.5 kilometers away from the main Vaishno Devi Temple on the Trikuta Mountains.

For believers, visiting his temple and paying obeisance to Bhairav Nath completes the journey to Vaishno Devi and represents a reconciliation between the good and evil forces. It is said that Mata Vaishno Devi promised Bhairav Nath that people would be worshipping him at her shrine too as part of granting him a boon.

Also, it is considered propitious for one’s visit to Bhairav Baba Temple because it signifies an individual’s embracing of all facets of life including those dark sides embodied by Bhairav Nath. This act acknowledges human humility and submission towards the fact that there exists an intricate nexus between light and darkness, good and evil within cosmic order.

Vaishno Devi Temple Timing & Helicoptor Booking

Vaishno Devi Temple Darshan Timings	Timing
Opening Time	5:00 AM
Morning Darshan	5:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Break Time (Temple Closed)	12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Evening Darshan	4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Closing Time	9:00 PM

Important Notes:

• Aarti (prayer ceremony) timings are usually held before sunrise and sunset, leading to longer queues during these times.
• While the temple closes for a break between noon and 4:00 PM, other facilities like cloakrooms and restaurants remain operational during this time.
• It’s best to plan your visit considering these timings and potential queue lengths, especially if you are aiming for darshan during aarti.

Helicoptor Booking:

The Vaishno Devi Temple Board operates the official helicopter service for the pilgrimage. Here’s how to book a helicopter for your visit, The only official website for booking Vaishno Devi helicopter services is Mata Vaishno Devi ShrineBoard: http://www.maavaishnodevi.org/.

• Advance Booking: Bookings open 60 days in advance at 10:00 AM IST.

Booking Process (Online):

1. Visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board: http://www.maavaishnodevi.org/ website.
2. Click on “Online Services” and proceed to register if you’re a new user.
3. Login with your credentials and select “Helicopter Services.”
4. Choose your desired date, route (Katra to Sanjichatt or vice versa), number of passengers, and timings.
5. Fill in passenger details and proceed to secure payment through the provided payment gateway.
6. Print a confirmation copy of your booking for reference.

Offline Booking (Not Recommended):

• Offline booking is available at the Current Heli-Ticket Counter in Katra. However, queues start forming as early as 5:00 AM, and tickets sell out quickly. Online booking is highly recommended for guaranteed availability.

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