By Chirag
Hey everyone!
I recently went on a trip that I had been dreaming of for a long time – Vaishno Devi! And honestly, it was one of the most amazing and spiritual experiences of my life. I thought I’d share my journey with you all through this blog. 🙂
Getting There
Our trip started from Delhi, and we took a train to Jammu. From there, we hired a cab to Katra, the base town where the actual yatra begins. Katra is a small but busy place, full of energy, shops, pilgrims, and the sound of “Jai Mata Di” everywhere. It instantly made us feel excited and spiritual at the same time.
The Climb Begins
The trek to the temple is around 13 km long. You can either walk, take ponies, palki, or even go by helicopter. But we decided to walk. I’m not gonna lie – it was a bit tiring, especially with the cold wind blowing, but there was something magical in the air. People were singing bhajans, families were walking together, and strangers were smiling and saying “Jai Mata Di” to each other. It was such a positive vibe!
There are many stops on the way – like Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Ardhkuwari, each with their own little story. We rested at Ardhkuwari and had tea and snacks. The facilities on the way were really good. Washrooms were clean, and there were many small dhabas and free langars.
Reaching the Temple
After a long walk, we finally reached the Bhawan – the main temple. It was around 11 AM by the time we got there, but believe me, we were not even sleepy anymore. The whole area was glowing with lights, and the atmosphere was calm but powerful. We stood in line for darshan, and after about an hour, we finally entered the holy cave.
Inside the cave, you don’t see idols, but three pindis (natural rock formations) that represent Goddess Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati. The moment we had the darshan, I felt goosebumps. All the tiredness, leg pain – everything just vanished. It’s really hard to explain that feeling in words.
Some Things I Noticed ?!
The trek is well maintained, but it can be tough for old people or those not used to walking a lot.
You don’t need to worry about food or water – it’s available everywhere and mostly free!
The people there – both the locals and the pilgrims – were very kind and helpful.
Final Thoughts ✨
This trip was more than just a holiday. It was a journey of faith. It brought me closer to spirituality and gave me a break from my fast and busy life. If you ever get a chance to visit Vaishno Devi, don’t miss it. Whether you’re religious or not, the energy of that place will touch your heart.
Thanks for reading my travel blog! 🙂
Jai Mata Di! 🙏