Mata Vaishno Devi

A Divine Journey to Vaishno Devi – Jai Mata Di 🙏

The distance from Agra to Katra (Jammu) is approximately 856.6 km, and it takes around 15 hours 35 minutes by car.

We chose to travel by car and planned everything well in advance.

We booked Bhawan Aarti tickets and a dormitory stay three months before our trip.

We were blessed to attend the sacred Garbh Joon Aarti. In Katra, the weather was quite hot, but as we reached the Bhawan, the cool breeze and chilly night air were refreshing and calming.

One of the most unforgettable moments was entering the Garbh Joon cave—a deeply spiritual experience. Coming out of the narrow cave felt like emerging into a new world. We had amazing darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kali Mata, and Saraswati Mata at the Bhawan. The peace and divinity of the place were beyond words.

We decided to travel on foot from Katra to Ardhkuwari via the new route. From there, we took an EV taxi to the Bhawan, which made the climb much easier. Our return EV taxi was already booked, so everything went smoothly. We reached Ardhkuwari on time and later walked back from Ardhkuwari to Katra.

Throughout the journey, we were surrounded by bhajans, good food, and a divine atmosphere. Mac D, KFC, Bikanervala, and other food outlets were available along the way. We also enjoyed langar and prasadam arranged by the Shrine Board, which manages all responsibilities of the holy shrine. The dal-rice, halwa, and tea served in the langar were simple yet divine.

The Shrine Board has ensured excellent facilities for pilgrims, including clean water, rest areas, and washrooms all along the route.

This was a 3-day spiritual trip:

• Day 1: We reached Ardhkuwari from Katra and participated in the Garbh Joon Aarti.
• Day 2: Early morning, we left for the Bhawan, had VIP darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi, and returned to Ardhkuwari at night.
• Day 3: We completed our return journey on foot from Ardhkuwari to Katra.

A humble reminder to all devotees: Your Vaishno Devi yatra is incomplete without visiting Bhairo Baba Ji Temple. It’s the final and essential stop to complete the holy pilgrimage.

While I end this blog, I chant from my heart:

“Jai Mata Di!”

Thank you so much for reading my blog ❤️

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