Vaishno Devi
JAMMU & KASHMIR
Name of the temple : Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple
Main Deity : Divine Mother Vaishno Devi
Local name : Mooh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata
(Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for), Mata Rani
Location : Katra District
Nearest city : Jammu
Website : https://www.maavaishnodevi.org
Importance of the temple : Believed to be the Holiest of the Shaktipeeths
Human form with the astral form of her creators, the three Supreme Energies
DEVI MANTRA:
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Maa rupena samsthita |
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Shakthi rupena samsthita |
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Buddhi rupena samsthita |
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Lakshmi rupena samsthita |
Namastasyai || Namastasyai || Namastasyai || Namo Namah ||
History:
Vaishno Devi cave is located in the three peaked mountain called Trikuta at an altitude of 5200ft from sea level. This is the Holy place where Vaishno Devi merged Her human form with the astral form of Her creators, the three supreme energies. From Katra devotees have to walk 13 kms up the mountain to have the darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi. The temple is also called Bhawan or Holy cave shrine. For those devotees who cannot walk the whole distance ponies, electric vehicles, palkhies and helicopter services are available.
Devi Maa is represented in the shape of three natural rock formations called Pindies (heads) which stand for Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. There are no statues inside the temple cave. It is strongly believed unless there is a strong call from Mata, devotees will not be able to travel to the Cave to have Her darshan. It is really a divine experience travelling to the Vaishno Devi temple.
It is believed that the Temple is nearly a million years old (as per the Geological survey). The first mention of Trikuta temple can be found in Rigveda the oldest of the four Vedas where worshipping of Shakti was indicated.
In Mahabharata upon the advice of Krishna, Arjuna meditated on Mother Goddess to seek Her blessing for victory and addressed as Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye’, (you who always dwell in the temple on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo) (probably referring to the present day Jammu).
The temple was discovered around 700 years back by Pandit Shridhar. It is thought that Bhandaara (distribution of food to poor and hungry people) was organised at Panditji place with the blessing of Mata, She however left that place to escape from Bhairon Nath who was troubling her that time. Leaving food and water Panditji prayed reverently to Mother Goddess to return. Mother Goddess appeared in his dream and told him to search for the Holy cave among the folds of Trikuta Mountain and guided him to reach his destination Her holy abode.
When he entered the cave he found the three Pindies. Mother Goddess blessed him with Her darshan and asked him to worship Her manifestation in the cave. He spent the rest of his life in the service of Vaishno Devi.
Name of the temple : Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple
Main Deity : Divine Mother Vaishno Devi
Local name : Mooh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata
(Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for), Mata Rani
Location : Katra District
Nearest city : Jammu
Website : https://www.maavaishnodevi.org
Importance of the temple : Believed to be the Holiest of the Shaktipeeths
Human form with the astral form of her creators, the three Supreme Energies
DEVI MANTRA:
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Maa rupena samsthita |
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Shakthi rupena samsthita |
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Buddhi rupena samsthita |
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Lakshmi rupena samsthita |
Namastasyai || Namastasyai || Namastasyai || Namo Namah ||
History:
Vaishno Devi cave is located in the three peaked mountain called Trikuta at an altitude of 5200ft from sea level. This is the Holy place where Vaishno Devi merged Her human form with the astral form of Her creators, the three supreme energies. From Katra devotees have to walk 13 kms up the mountain to have the darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi. The temple is also called Bhawan or Holy cave shrine. For those devotees who cannot walk the whole distance ponies, electric vehicles, palkhies and helicopter services are available.
Devi Maa is represented in the shape of three natural rock formations called Pindies (heads) which stand for Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. There are no statues inside the temple cave. It is strongly believed unless there is a strong call from Mata, devotees will not be able to travel to the Cave to have Her darshan. It is really a divine experience travelling to the Vaishno Devi temple.
It is believed that the Temple is nearly a million years old (as per the Geological survey). The first mention of Trikuta temple can be found in Rigveda the oldest of the four Vedas where worshipping of Shakti was indicated.
In Mahabharata upon the advice of Krishna, Arjuna meditated on Mother Goddess to seek Her blessing for victory and addressed as Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye’, (you who always dwell in the temple on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo) (probably referring to the present day Jammu).
The temple was discovered around 700 years back by Pandit Shridhar. It is thought that Bhandaara (distribution of food to poor and hungry people) was organised at Panditji place with the blessing of Mata, She however left that place to escape from Bhairon Nath who was troubling her that time. Leaving food and water Panditji prayed reverently to Mother Goddess to return. Mother Goddess appeared in his dream and told him to search for the Holy cave among the folds of Trikuta Mountain and guided him to reach his destination Her holy abode.
When he entered the cave he found the three Pindies. Mother Goddess blessed him with Her darshan and asked him to worship Her manifestation in the cave. He spent the rest of his life in the service of Vaishno Devi.
Three Pindies
According to legend, Mother Goddess manifestations viz, Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati pooled their strength to give shape to a beautiful young girl. When questioned about the purpose of their creation, the Mothers replied that She would live on earth to uphold righteousness (dharma). On the advice of Mothers, She took birth in the house of Ratankar and his wife in Southern India, and was named Vaishnavi.
From childhood She showed a lot of hunger for knowledge and learnt everything possible. She started to look inwardly and learned meditation. She realised that this medium would bring Her closer to Lord Vishnu. She went deep into forest to do penance (Tapasya) at a very young age.
When Lord Rama during his 14 years of exile came across Her, She immediately recognised him as incarnation of Lord Vishnu and requested Him to merge Her into Him, the creator. He dissuaded Her saying it was not the right time and that He would fulfil Her wish after His exile. Keeping His word Lord Rama visited Her in the guise (form) of an old man. Vaishnavi however failed to recognise Him and became sad. Lord Rama consoled Her and said that it is still not an appropriate time and that He would come back as Kalki in Kaliyug. He advised Her to spend time at the base of Trikuta hills by meditating and elevating Her spirituality as well as bless mankind.
Vaishnavi immediately set off to the Northern part of India and reached the foothills of Trikuta after undergoing a number of hardships. As days passed Her glory spread and people began to flock to Her ashram to seek Her blessings. One Mahayogi Guru Gorakh Nathji after having a vision of the interaction between Lord Rama and Vaishnavi sent his disciple Bhairon Nath to find out the truth about Her level of spirituality. However, Bhairon Nath got enamoured by Vaishnavi’s beauty and wanted to marry Her and hence started troubling Her.
One of the devotees of Vaishnavi, Pandit Shirdhar organised a Bhandara (community meal) and invited everyone including Mahayogi Guru Gorakh Nathji and his disciples. When Bhairon Nath tried to grab Her, She fled to the mountains stopping at different locations (Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Ardhkwari and Garabh Joon). She finally took refuge in the holy cave Shrine. As Bhairon Nath chased Her to the hills, She beheaded him just outside the mouth of the cave.
Before his death Bhairon Nath realised his mistake and prayed for pardon. Mother Goddess showing mercy and blessed him with a boon saying which ever devotee comes for Her darshan have to also have visit Bhairon nath to complete their yatra. (Bhairon temple is another 1.5 km from Cave Shrine). Then Vaishnavi shed Her human form and took the form of a five and a half feet rock with three heads or the Pindies. The current Sanctum Sanctorum of the holy cave with the three pindies is known as the temple of Sri Vaishno Devi.
From childhood She showed a lot of hunger for knowledge and learnt everything possible. She started to look inwardly and learned meditation. She realised that this medium would bring Her closer to Lord Vishnu. She went deep into forest to do penance (Tapasya) at a very young age.
When Lord Rama during his 14 years of exile came across Her, She immediately recognised him as incarnation of Lord Vishnu and requested Him to merge Her into Him, the creator. He dissuaded Her saying it was not the right time and that He would fulfil Her wish after His exile. Keeping His word Lord Rama visited Her in the guise (form) of an old man. Vaishnavi however failed to recognise Him and became sad. Lord Rama consoled Her and said that it is still not an appropriate time and that He would come back as Kalki in Kaliyug. He advised Her to spend time at the base of Trikuta hills by meditating and elevating Her spirituality as well as bless mankind.
Vaishnavi immediately set off to the Northern part of India and reached the foothills of Trikuta after undergoing a number of hardships. As days passed Her glory spread and people began to flock to Her ashram to seek Her blessings. One Mahayogi Guru Gorakh Nathji after having a vision of the interaction between Lord Rama and Vaishnavi sent his disciple Bhairon Nath to find out the truth about Her level of spirituality. However, Bhairon Nath got enamoured by Vaishnavi’s beauty and wanted to marry Her and hence started troubling Her.
One of the devotees of Vaishnavi, Pandit Shirdhar organised a Bhandara (community meal) and invited everyone including Mahayogi Guru Gorakh Nathji and his disciples. When Bhairon Nath tried to grab Her, She fled to the mountains stopping at different locations (Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Ardhkwari and Garabh Joon). She finally took refuge in the holy cave Shrine. As Bhairon Nath chased Her to the hills, She beheaded him just outside the mouth of the cave.
Before his death Bhairon Nath realised his mistake and prayed for pardon. Mother Goddess showing mercy and blessed him with a boon saying which ever devotee comes for Her darshan have to also have visit Bhairon nath to complete their yatra. (Bhairon temple is another 1.5 km from Cave Shrine). Then Vaishnavi shed Her human form and took the form of a five and a half feet rock with three heads or the Pindies. The current Sanctum Sanctorum of the holy cave with the three pindies is known as the temple of Sri Vaishno Devi.
JAI MATA DI