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DARSHAN OF GODDESS VAISHNO DEVI
In the midst of Trikuta Hills, at an altitude of 5,200 feet, Goddess
Vaishnavdevi is situated. Every pilgrim should enter his name and take
a token before going for the Darshan of Goddess. This token will be given
basing on the token given at the entry point at Katra. On this serial number of
the pilgrim shall be endorsed. Entry in to the Holy shrine
is done in accordance to this number. As one enters into the temple, on the
right side is the big building built by the Sridhar Sabha, in which thousands
of pilgrims can be accommodated. Again if one proceeds a little further, can
find multi-storied buildings built by Rawalpindi Sabha. In addition to this
there is also a huge building built by Raja Ranvir Singh. There are all sorts
of facilities available in this place. Be depositing some advance amount one
can get all required items like blankets, bed-covers, quilts, torches,
lanterns, cooking items, kitchen items. There shall be no problem or
inconvenience of any sort. There are restaurants and hotels, which are opened
round the clock where food, tea, snacks, Pooja (worship) paraphernalia etc. are
available all 24 hours.
Before going for the Darshan of Goddess one has to bathe in variably. There are
various bathing places made for the same purpose. There is also arrangement of
‘Charanganga’ which comes out of the holy cave.
People can use this water for bathing. After this pilgrims sit down as per the
serial number on the given slip and wait for the Darshan of Goddess. It is to
be noted that the pilgrims are not allowed to carry any sort of leather item,
cigarettes or any other intoxicant items. In the main entrance of the cave,
there is a huge stone lying which is called Bhairav’s
body. For going to have Darshan of Goddess, one has to lie down on this stone
and enter the cave, which is about 18 meters long. There is a continuous water
flow from this cave. One will not be in a position to stand erect anywhere in
the cave. In fact no body can under stand the intricacy of the shape of the
cave, shrine and the rest of the things in the Vaishnavdevi.
One who is really bestowed with the mercy of the Goddess for her Darshan only
can understand this. Goddess Vaishnavdevi is presiding deity in the cave in the
forms of Mahalakshmi,
Mashasaraswati and Mahakali.
Some people do say that out of the three presiding deities, the centre one is
Goddess Vaishnavdevi. Here the space would be
sufficient for 3-4 people. Seated here in the very place pundit takes the
offerings of the devotees to the Goddess and gives out ‘prasad’ to the
devotees. After taking Darshan people have to come out though the new exit,
which is made a few years ago for the convenience of the pilgrims by the temple
committee. After coming out of the temple people worship young girls and offer/
distribute them Puri and Halvah. Thus visiting Goddess
Vaishnavdevi, people start their return journey towards
Katra after taking Darshan of Bhairavnath.
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