Day 50 - Jai Maa Vaishno Devi

Katra is mainly famous because it serves as a base for other tourist locations in the region. The region is mainly famous for being a base for pilgrims from all around the country, due to its proximity to the Vaishno Devi shrine.The shrine is mainly dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi, whose idol is housed in a very small cave shrine. Vaishno Devi is yet another name for Goddess Shakthi, more popularly known as Lord Shiva’s consort. The temple is also located at an intimidating altitude of around 5200 feet.


How to reach here: 

By Foot: The shrine is located at a distance of fourteen kilometres from Katra, and the journey uphill can be carried out either through foot or through palanquins and ponies.

By Air: Pawan Hans and Global Vectra helicopter services from Katra on the foothills and the flight will drop you at Sanjhichatt. The flight from Katra to Vaishnodevi takes a total of 08 minutes.


Places you must visit:

Mata Vaishno Devi is a manifestation of Mother Goddess and is popularly known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi. The Holy Cave of Mata Vaishno Devi is located at an altitude of 5,200 ft in the Trikuta Hills, which is known as the Bhawan.The deity is in the shape of three natural rock form known as Pindies. Maha Kali, Maha Laxmi and Maha Saraswati constitute the holy Pindies.The cave does not have any idols, pictures and statues inside. It is believed that the cave presents with darshan of about 330 million Hindu Gods and Goddesses, who are said to have worshipped Mata Rani. Moreover, it is believed that during pujan and aarti, all the Gods and Goddesses arrive to pay their respect to the Mother.





Darshani Darwaza or Darshani Deodhi, situated 2,800 ft above sea level, is the entry gate to the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. Located about 1 km from the bus stand, it is from this point that tourists can have a complete view of the Trikuta mountain. As per the legends, Mata Vaishno Devi met Pandit Sridhar at this point in the form of a girl child.There are two gates at this point; the older gate leads to a flight of stairs and the newer gate has a colonnaded porch with parking private vehicles.




Bhairon Temple is situated at the highest point of the adjacent hill at an altitude of 6,619 ft. This temple also involves a steep climb which can be undertaken by foot, ponies or palanquins.It is believed that the journey to Mata Vaishno Devi is not complete without the darshan in Bhairon Temple. According to the legends, Bhairon Nath was killed by Vaishno Devi and while seeking an apology, was given a boon of being the last link of the pilgrimage.Darshan inside Bhairon Temple is also in the rock form. It is believed that when Mata killed Bhairon Nath, his head fell at this place while his body remained at the entrance of the holy cave.  There is also a Havan Kund at the temple, whose ashes are considered to be sacred.
 


Banganga river is said to be associated with the miracles and legends of Mata Vaishno Devi. Water remains in the river throughout the year except when there is an acute shortage in rainfall or snow during monsoon and winter seasons.It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi on her way to holy cave created this river with an arrow from her quiver. Being sacred, devotees take a dip into this holy water before proceeding their journey. For this purpose, two ghats have been built.



Charanpaduka is located at about 2.5 km from Banganga at an altitude of 3,380 ft. It is believed that the imprints of Mata’s feet are engraved on a rock slab.It is here that Mata stood after disappearing from Pandit Sridhar bhandara to see if Bhairon Nath is following her. To further proceed the journey, tourists touch the footprints of Mata to seek her blessings.



Ardhkunwari is located about 6 km from Katra, at an altitude of 4,800 ft. It is a half way mark to the journey to holy cave. Adhkunwari is considered to be one of the most important darshans where Mata Vaishno Devi is believed to have meditated for nine months.An exit on the other end of the cave was created by Mata with her trident, when Bhairon Nath approached the cave. The cave is shaped like a womb and is very narrow. Only one person can pass through this cave at a time.Darshan in Adhkunwari include darshans of Nav Durga and Bhakt Hanuman.




Jhajjar Kotli is a tourist complex built at the banks of river Jhajjar.The clear, cold water of Jhajjar is the main attraction. Jhajjar Kotli is a tourist picnic spot, which is known for its natural beauty. There is a luxurious tourist bungalow maintained by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation.




Sanjichhat is a beautiful spot located at a distance of 3.25 km from Adhkunwari. The beautiful view of the valley and snow covered peak of Himalayas can be seen from this spot. It is the highest point on the old track and an end point to the uphill climb. Sanjichhat is an important place as the helipad is also located here.
 



Baba Dhansar Temple is located 15 km away from Katra on way to Salal Dam. A huge spring emerging from the rocks forms a number of small cascading waterfalls before flowing into the holy river that merges with the Chenab River. At Baba Dhansar Temple, devotees find a naturally formed Shivling, on which droplets of water fall at a constant pace throughout the year.

Day 49 - Jammu city

Jammu city, officially called Jammu-Tawi, is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu City is also known as "City of Temples" as it has many temples and shrines, with glittering shikhars soaring into the sky, which dot the city’s skyline, creating the ambiance of a holy and peaceful Hindu city.Set against the snow-capped Pir Panjal Mountains, Jammu lies between the Himalayan range in the north and the plains of Punjab in the south. Lakes, valleys and a diverse terrain make the entire region quite varied. Forests of oak and chestnut cover the lower areas while deodar and pine add to the beautiful landscape at higher altitudes. Named after King Jambu Lochan, who is said to have established it in 9th century BC, Jammu is typically a traditional city made up of several ethnic communities engaged in agriculture or small scale industries.


How to reach here:

By Air: Jammu airport is well connected with many major airports in the country, including Delhi, Srinagar and Leh. Almost all air service providers operate regular flights from Jammu.

By Rail: The major railway station in Jammu is Jammu Tawi. Jammu Tawi is connected to all major cities in India including the southern most Trivandrum Railway station.


Best time to visit: October to April.


Languages spoken: Dogri, Hindi, Urdu and English.


Must eat: Chocolate Barfi, Sund panjeeri,Patisa, Kalaadi(processed cheese) and its exotic local food – Rajma (with rice) is one of the speciality dishes of Jammu.


Famous Restaurants: Falak Revolving, Yangtse, Imperial Grill, Moti Mahal.


Places you must visit:


Bahu Fort was built by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago. The fort was later restored during the 19th century by the Dogra rulers. Other notable attractions of the fort include Bahu Temple, a shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali.The fort stands on a plateau overlooking Tawi River with the surroundings developed into a well laid garden known as Bhave ki Bahu. Bhave ki Bahu is laid on the lines of the Mughal Gardens from where tourists can have a bird’s eye view of Jammu city.An ancient fort is placed within the thick sandstone walls and features eight octagonal towers with enclosures to house guards. There were several reconstructions from time to time in the fort; the last was done by Maharaja Gulab Singh in the 19th century.




Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary houses various species of pheasants. The reserve was established in an area of thick forests along with wildlife and is situated 28 km from Jammu.A popular dwelling of pheasants, the sanctuary is home for avifauna species that include Indian mynah, red junglefowl, cheer pheasant, blue rock pigeon, Indian peafowl and chakor.The wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of 34 sq km, providing refuge to various fauna. Leopard, wild boar, Rhesus monkey, bharal and grey langur are some of the species of the reserve.
 


Sanasar is located  at an altitude of 2,079 metres above sea level provides a peaceful environment. The site is also known as mini Gulmarg and is surrounded by huge conifers.It is built in a cup-shaped meadow and is one of the secluded regions of the country. Owing to the confluence of hilly terrain and plains, the site is ideal for paragliding, trekking and skiing, horse riding, hot air ballooning and camping. The Nag Temple, Hidden Creek and Waterfalls in the surroundings can also be visited.





Raghunath Mandir, dedicated to Lord Rama, was commissioned by Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1835. The construction of the temple was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860.The inner walls of the holy sanctum are covered with gold sheet on all the three sides. There are several galleries in the shrine dedicated to various gods and goddesses associated with the Ramayana. Along with Raghunath Temple, there are 17 other shrines nearby including the Panjbakhtar Temple and Ranbireshwar Temple.There are several statues of deities and shivalingas along with religious inscriptions. Besides Hindu gods and deities, a figurine of King Ranbir Singh is also placed at the entrance. There is a Sanskrit Library, which has a rich reserve of the rarest collections of manuscripts and ancient books.
 



Amar Mahal Museum served as the family residence of the Dogra Dynasty. The palace was built by King Raja Amar of the Dogra Dynasty during 1890 using red sand stone.Planned and designed by a French architect, the architectural marvel was converted into a museum exhibiting a rich collection of paintings, books, inscriptions and artifacts.The structure of the building is identical to European castles, as there are sloping roofs with turrets and tall towers. There are extended passages on three sides of the monument, covered by sloping corrugated tin roofs.Along with wooden framework, the highlight of the first storey of the palace building is the French windows. These windows illustrate classical Greek architectural style in triangular projections fitted over ornate false columns.Durbar Hall of the art gallery displays family portraits of the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir along with a collection of Pahari paintings. The main highlight of the museum is the throne of Maharaja Hari Singh made of 120 kg gold.The museum houses over twenty five thousand books on history, among which the volumes associated with Raja Amar Singh are noteworthy.

Ranbireshwar Temple was constructed in 1883 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva comprises two halls decorated with the images of Ganesha and Kartikeya. There are several shivalingas in the shrine along with a Nandi Bull.The temple houses a central shivalinga measuring 7.5 feet in height along with twelve small crystal shivalingas measuring 15 cm.

Dargah Garib Shah is an ancient shrine dedicated to the spiritual leader Garib Shah, who preached doctrines of humanity to his disciplines. Dargah Garib Shah draws devotees from different religious backgrounds round the year.According to belief, homage at the sanctum fills life with happiness.

Bahu Temple is one of the ancient temples of Jammu, which is situated on a rock face on the left bank of River Tawi. The foundation stone of the temple within Bahu Fort complex is believed to have been laid over 3,000 years ago by Raja Bahulochan. The holy shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali is popularly known as Bawey Wali Mata.The sanctum was set up in 1822 during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh. As per the folklore, Goddess Bawey Wali has mystical powers identical to Mata Vaishno Devi.

Bagh-e-Bahu is a  beautiful garden  laid identical to Mughal Garden and is situated on the embankment of Tawi River.The garden is surrounded by acres of woods, which give a beautiful view of the city.



Mubarak Mandi Complex is among the chief sites of historic significance, which was also the royal residence of Dogra rulers during the days of yore. The 150 years old complex features 76 government offices and courts.At the complex, palaces are built as a group of buildings around the courtyard. Successive Dogra rulers extended the complex and used the building as the residences of the royal Dogra families. At present, there are halls and galleries in the complex that are used for official and public events along with housing government offices and courts.The oldest testimony of the complex dates back to 1824. The architecture and artwork belonging to Mughal and Rajasthani style along with 17th century European style attract tourists from around the world. Some of the chief attractions of the complex are the Sheesh Mahal, Royal Secretariat and Dogra Art Gallery, the erstwhile Pink Hall.







Dogra Art Museum is a famous art repository situated in the Mubarak Mandi Complex. This historic gallery is presently located in the Pink Hall, which houses over 800 rare paintings and articles of historical significance. There are separate galleries, where paintings from Basholi, Jammu and Kangra schools have been displayed.The major attraction of the museum is the gold painted bow and arrow of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan along with carpentry tools. Besides, there are several handwritten manuscripts of Shahnama and Sikandernama in Persian that draw attention of history lovers.




Bagh-e-Bahu Aquarium has 24 aquarium caves, which include 13 small caves housing freshwater fish.Apart from these small caves, large caves have marine water fish, whereas nine medium sized aquariums contain fresh water fish. The aquarium features over 400 varieties of freshwater and marine fish.At the site, there is a public gallery, museum, laboratory and multimedia centre for aquatic awareness. The entrance and exit of the aquatic gallery is designed in the shape of the mouth of a fish.
 



Shiv Khori is one of the important cave shrines of Jammu, which is famous for the natural formation of a shivalinga. The 150 metres long shrine is among the most respected cave shrines of Lord Shiva in Jammu.The major highlight of the shrine is the 4 feet svayambhu lingam. The revered figurine constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling. There are several natural impressions and images of Hindu deities on the cave walls.




Mansar Lake is surrounded by forest covered hills. On the eastern bank of Mansar Lake, there is the Sheshnag Temple housing a figure of a snake with six heads. The water body is associated with a mythological legend.Along with recreational facilities, the rich flora and fauna draws the attention of tourists. There is a cemented path around the water body along with decks for sighting birds, turtles and fish.The wildlife sanctuary at the site provides shelter to spotted deer and neelgai along with water birds such as cranes and ducks. Umapati Mahadev, Narsimha and Durga Temple are some of the notable religious shrines in proximity of Mansar Lake.





Surinsar Lake is a beautiful lake situated in the midst of thick forests with hilly terrains in the backdrop.The lotus flower blossoms are the major attractions of the water body. As per myths, legendary warrior Arjuna, of Mahabharata, shot an arrow to the Mansar land, which pierced the earth at a site known as Surinsar.



Peer Kho Cave Temple is one of the sacred cave temples in the region, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave temple, also known as Jamwant Cave, is enshrined with the svayambhu shivalinga.The temple is placed in the acacia forest along igneous rocks and is believed to be one of the most ancient religious sites in the region.





The Akhnoor Fort is one of the famous historic testimonies belonging to the early 19th century. The testament in the ancient town of Akhnoor is situated along with the River Chenab at a distance of 32 km from Jammu.The ancient fort was built on the site belonging to the Harappan Civilisation. Along the fort, there is a two-storeyed palace which has decorated arches and murals.
 


The Gadhadharji Temple is one of the revered shrines constructed during the reigns of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Located along Mubarak Mandi Palace, the temple houses two life-size statues of God Narayana and Goddess Lakshmi. Apart from religious significance, the monument is appreciated for architectural artistry.




The Mahamaya Temple is dedicated to a regional female protagonist. As per historians, Mahamaya fought bravely against foreign invaders and achieved martyrdom around 14 centuries ago. This temple in situated on the banks of River Tawi opposite to the Bahu Fort.




Rani Charak Mahal is one of the famous historic testimonies, located on the banks of the River Tawi. A part of the Mubarak Mandi Complex, the ancient monument houses several government offices in its premises. Built of red stone, the mahal was constructed over 150 years ago.The monument is connected with treasury house, also known as Toshakhana of the Mubarak Mandi Palace. Arches and columns illustrate the architectural style predominant during that era. There are several valuables housed in the palace, which include artefacts like antique idols, a golden throne, palanquins and utensils.

Aap Sambhu Temple Sathrian is one of the famous religious centres of Jammu located in Sathrian of Roopnagar. The site represents the traditional legacy of the territory, which features a natural shivalinga.

Visiting Jammu and not going to Vaishnodevi temple is not an option. Lets move on towards the holy temple.

MATA NE BULAYA HAI!!

Paradise on Earth- Jammu & Kashmir

IF THERE IS PARADISE ON EARTH IT IS HERE,
 IT IS HERE, IT IS HERE.........

As they say beauty lies in the eyes of beholder. And that is so true of the Valley. In Kashmir there is as much hidden as revealed. So the Valley has to be seen with the eyes of the soul.


Kashmir is a land of myriad seasons and it changes the hues of landscape with the seasons. Burgeoning with magnificent scenery, unique experience in Houseboat staying, Shikara riding, Mughal Gardens, floating vegetable Gardens and host of adventure activities, this enchanting valley is always lavishly beautiful and a favored destination for tourists from all walks of life. Incredible beauty of nature, innate appeal, blissful ambiance and misty cool air of Kashmir satiate inner soul of every traveler and persuade them to visit this land again and again.The Valley of Kashmir owes its fame, doubtless, not less to the wild grandeur of the barriers, which surround it than to its own intrinsic loveliness. It is this contrast which led the poets of all nations to speak of Kashmir Valley as "Emerald set in Pearls".


Capital : Jammu (Winter)
             Srinagar (Summer)


Major Cities: Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Udhampur, Baramulla, Leh, Poonch and Kathua.


Location of Jammu and Kashmir in India:



Map of Jammu and Kashmir:

Farewell Himachal......

Good Bye Himachal (Abode of Snow).Parting with the rivers, glaciers, Flora and Fauna of the state with a heavy heart.


I am not crying  because it's over but I am  smiling :)))) because it happened. 



“Good bye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.” 

Day 48 - Manikaran

Manikaran is a town that is located in the Kullu district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The town is an important religious site for people of both Hindu and Sikh religions. Besides being panoramically surrounded by the Harinder Mountains, the prime attraction of the town is its hot springs that are located in and around the place. These natural springs are a rare phenomenon and the region surrounding the town is also beautiful. It is possible to have a dip in these hot springs.


How to reach here:

By Air: The closest airport is located at the town of Bhuntar near Kullu (45 km).

By Rail: The closest major railway stations are at Pathankot (150 km) and Chandigarh (310 km).


Best time to visit: Throughout the year.


Languages spoken: Himachali and Hindi.


Must eat: Sattu, Jatu, Kodra roti


Famous Restaurants: Holy Palace.


Places you must visit:

The scenic town of Manikaran is surrounded by the Harinder Mountains. The snow covered peaks of the mountains are known for offering splendorous views to onlookers.



The hot springs in the Parvati river flowing in Manikaran is the most popular tourist attraction in the town. The water contains natural Uranium and other radio active ingredients that help cure diseases. It is this facet that the hot spring is considered to be holy and is revered by tourists.



Kulant Pith in Manikaran is considered to be the holiest of all piths. Legends have it that Lord Shankara was hugely impressed by the place and stayed here for some time. Among all the pith Vishnu Kund is the purest and it is a common belief that those who take a dip here will relieve themselves of all their past sins.



The holy temple of Sri Ram Chandra in Manikaran is one of the most visited pilgrim site in Himachal. An interesting legend, that Lord Ram himself has brought this temple from Ayodhya and installed it in Raka Kullu, invites host of pilgrims to this spot. The idol of Goddess Sita standing next to Lord Ram’s idol is a wonderful sight to behold.



Lord Shiva Temple is a well known pilgrim spot in Manikaran. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is hugely revered. In spite of the fact that it got tilted during the earthquake in 1905, still thousands of pilgrims flock here to pay homage.



Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara is a must visit in any traveller’s itinerary. A holy Sikh pilgrimage, the place finds its mention in the ‘Twelfth Guru Khalsa’ by Giani Gian Singh. According to the beliefs of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev along with his five disciples came here after giving sermons in Mandi, Kullu and Bijli Mahadev.

Day 47 - Chamba

Chamba is an ancient town and a district in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The town is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir in the north-west and west, by Ladakh and Lahaul in the north-east and east and by Kangra and Gurdaspur on the south-east and south. Historically, Chamba was ruled by the Maru Dynasty. Chamba is named after a local princess, Champavati. Bhamour was the capital of the Maru rule at the time of Raju Maru, in 500 AD. But later it was shifted to the town of Chamba in 920 by Raja Sahil Varman on the request of his daughter Champavati.Chamba has a long history. It was ruled by almost 67 kings of the Maru dynasty. The first ruler of Chamba was the Kolian tribes. In the 2nd century, it was ruled by Khasas and Audumbaras.  In the 4th century the Thakurs and Ranas ruled. It was also ruled by the Gurjara Pratiharas, the Rajput dynasty in the 7th century. Finally the British came and took over Chamba in 1846.


How to reach here:


By Air: Gaggal airport in Kangra valley is the nearest airport. The airport is 185 km away from Chamba.

By Rail: Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railhed, which is 122 km away from Chamba town. Pathankot is well connected to Amritsar, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi.

Best time to visit: Mar to Jun, Sep to Dec.


Languages spoken: Hindi, English.


Must eat: Moong dal, Madrah of rajma, boor ki kari.


Famous Restaurants: Jagan, Cafe Ravi, Park view.


Places you must visit:


Bhuri Singh Museum ,started in 1908 at Chamba is named after the illustrious King Raja Bhuri, who had contributed his family compilation of paintings to the museum. The inscription in Sarda scripts that are exhibited in the museum give vital information on the medieval account of Chamba.The Chamba rulers were great patrons of arts and culture, and the Museum houses outstanding collections of Guler-Kangra style Paintings. It is sure that the Basohli style paintings, which illustrates the Bhagwat Purana and Ramayana catches the attention of the visitor. Other fascinating attraction of the museum is the Chamba-Rumals that are famed for stunning embroidery work. In addition to all these, the Museum also holds Armour and arms, coins, hill jewelry and costumes, musical instruments and diverse ornamental artifacts.




Rang Mahal was founded by Raja Umed Singh. Once the abode of a division of the ruling reign this wonderful palace displays a perfect mixture of British and Mughal style architecture. The walls of this 18th century monument are wizened with fine exemplars of Punjab hill style wall paintings, which portray the life of Lord Krishna. A number of ornamental and vibrant wall paintings have been detached and taken to Delhi National Museum.




One among the imperative attractions of Chamba is the magnificent Central Park which provides panoramic views of the entire hill station. A verdant field, which is the jamboree of all the activities in the town, the central park, is the largest crowd puller in the city in recent years. This fabulous spot, on the precipice over River Ravi is also known as Chaugan and the most remarkable construction in this place is the Gandhi gate that immortalizes Lord Curson’s visit to Chamba. The park was a prominent spot for cricket tournaments during the British reign and now it houses various fairs and carnivals apart from being a Polo ground. This meadow is the hub of local trade and its vast stretch of luscious greenery makes it a popular esplanade. A beautiful temple of lord Shiva, where the famous Manimahesh Yatra takes place is an added attraction here.



Chamunda Devi Temple is situated on the banks of the beautiful Baner River.This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, the ferocious incarnation of Durga Devi. Situated in a lovely ambience, this temple commands the pretty sights of the majestic mountains and the woody forests of Lahl and Pathiar. Chamunda Devi temple is believed to be 750 years old and it holds a fabulous legend, which says that it was here that the Goddess Ambika killed the two demons by name Munda and Chanda. The main deity in the temple is wrapped in a red cloth so that the devotees are not allowed to touch.A huge temple complex, the Chamunda Devi Temple also holds a boulder, which depicts the stone lingam of Lord Shiva. The temple premises are enshrined with the images of numerous other gods and goddess.



Church of Scotland was founded by the mission of Church of Scotland. Its arched windows and intricate carvings represent the Scottish style architecture. Constructed with modest bricks, its austere fascia & ornamental foundation lies entrenched in its baked walls. Built in the year 1903, this church building is now converted in to a library by the authorities.




Dedicated to the lord Vishnu, Shri Hariraya temple is located adjacent to the Central Park. Built in stone, this temple also exhibits the Shikhara style architecture. The deity’s bronze image with the three face is made out from eight different materials that presents a fine implementation. This 11th century temple is the abode of the other deities such as lord Shiva, Surya and Aruna. The main deity is artistically ornamented with bracelets, finger-rings, armlets, a beaded garland, mukut, necklaces, and kundals. Finely carved Shikharas and the superb sculpture of Vishnu straddling six horses have got an enchanting appeal. The saffron coloured shrine is supposed to have great antique value. It is the only structure that has been coated with saffron colour and stands out because of its prominent colour. The temple enshrines a marvelous bronze image of Lord Vishnu in the form of Chaturmurti.

Laxmi Narayan Temple is the oldest and the largest of all the temples in Chamba. It is a  10th century temple built in the Shikhara style by Sahil Verman. These temple complex houses six shrines dedicated to either Vishnu or Shiva. The main idol of Lord Vishnu is made up from a rare piece of Marble that has a glittering appearance. The temple complex also holds shrines dedicated to other deities like Gauri Shankar, Radha and Krisha. The temple consists of Garbhgriha, Shikhara or Bimana and a mandapa. The temples are constructed in such a way that it perfectly suits the climatic conditions of the locality.