Jai Mata Di!
I was scouring the web to find a place for my 29th wedding anniversary and found the IRCTC package for Vaishnodevi that fit the bill. After consultation/confirmation with my better half, I booked the package online, within an hour! The package includes train transfer from Bandra to Jammu, taxi to hotel in Katra (2 nights), taxi ride to Jammu and train to Bandra!
This package ensures that we visit Vaishnodevi on our anniversary!
A few days before the start of the journey, IRCTC called to give us the seat/cabin number.
On January 01, 2012 at 8:00 am we boarded the train to Bandra and had a leisurely but wonderful journey.
As soon as we reached Jammu, we got a call from the hotel advising us of the taxi that should take us from Jammu to the hotel with the taxi number and the taxi driver's phone number.
I reached Jammu the next evening and took a taxi to the waiting hotel in Katra.
Jai Ma Inn in Katra where we stayed is a large hotel with comfortable rooms and friendly efficient staff.
As soon as we entered the hotel, the receptionist told us that she would prepare the Vaishnodevi Yatra slip, which we would start our journey the next day after registering at the Passenger Registration Center (YRC) near Katra Bus Station. It can start at 8:30 PM. M. Good sleep and good breakfast. The hotel car will drop us off at the starting point of the 13.5 km trek.
We had dinner at their restaurant where they serve delicious vegetarian food.
The talisman was a luxury for us to sleep.
As promised, our travel receipts were ready at reception in the morning and the car was ready to take us to Heaven's Gate for our anniversary! On the way the driver told us to go back to the hotel, we went to the foothills and called the hotel - go ahead!
Although there are different means of transportation for the excursion (helicopter, pony/horse, pitu, palanquin, electric car), we decided to go up and down. And so we started our journey with a shout of "Jai Mata Di".
The atmosphere in the course is amazing. It has 8 to 80+ passengers
An air of commitment and friendliness everywhere. You can view individuals or groups as you travel. A smile on everyone's face. No sign of hatred anywhere. It's a great experience.
Horses have their own tracks and people can go their own way to smooth the up and down flow.
When you get to the top, there is a place called Bhavan where you have to put your mobile phones, cameras, leather (bags, shoes, belts, wallets, etc.) and shoes in the lockers that the Trust keeps for you. Keep one with you when you enter the temple. All these facilities are free.
The security check is always very strict and you will be searched and your luggage checked at least three different points.
There are clean toilets on the road and many places where you can get hot parathas and tea.
Except for some Cafe Coffee Day outlets. In addition, Nescafe and Lipton have tea and coffee brands.
You can also book a pre-paid horse ride to take you there and back.
After placing our bags in the provided locker, we queued up for Maa Vaishnodevi's Darshan. The deity is in the cave and there are people, so the line continues, so we did the whole darshan in half an hour. Do not offer sacrifices to God or the priest in the cave. Your donation will be used to save.
On our wedding anniversary, we went home blessed by Mom.
The climb took us about 6 hours with lots of breaks to soak up the views along the way and we were back in just over 4 hours!
At 8:00 pm we returned to our hotel, had a nice hot bath, had dinner and crashed because the taxi would take us to Jammu railway station from 8:00 pm. Our return journey by train will depart from Jammu at 11:00 AM and reach Bandra at 8:00 PM.
It was truly a memorable and blessed birthday party for us!
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