Essays

Last month we went to Vaishno Devi temple. It is situated in Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most famous temples of the Hindus.

I along with my family went there. We reached Jammu by train. From Jammu Bus Stand we went to Katra by bus. There is a frequent bus service from Jammu to Katra. There was a big rush of devotees at Katra. People were buying prasad at shops.

We hired a room. We rested there for some time. We took our food at a shop. From that shop we bought sticks and fleet shoes. We also bought prasad. We started our journey to Vaishno Devi temple from Katra.

It is a long journey on foot. Mostly people go to temple on foot. Others hire mules. We decided to walk. We started walking in the evening. It was very pleasant.

A large number of devotees were walking. Many people were coming back. Every body was greeting each other by saying Jai Mata Di. It was a tough journey. It was tiring to walk on mountains. We kept on taking rest in between shelters are built along the way People stop there for sometime and take rest.

We reached Ardhkuari by the night. We passed through the cave of Garbhjune. There we took some snakes and tea and started our journey again. People were passing by, and chanting Jai Mata Di.

Some people were carrying drums with them. They were dancing on the beat of drums. It was getting cold. We reached Vaishno Devi temple early in the morning.

After reaching near the temple, we hired a room. We took our bath. We wore new clothes. We started for the temple. There was a long line of devotees. They were waiting for their turn to go in the temple.

Everybody was chanting Jai Mata Di. After an hour we entered the main temple. We had to go through a cave and offered our prayers to Vaisho Mata. Coconut is offered as prasad.

We came out of the cave. It was very peaceful and calm inside the cave. We all were feeling very happy. After taking our breakfast, we started back for Katra. It was very tiring journey, but full of solace and peace. I wish to go to Vaishno Devi every years.