A memorable pilgrimage . Review on Vaishnodevi

Me and my friend (Dr Sastry) arrived at Jammu by Bhatinda-Jammu express from Amritsar on 24th Nov 2010, we proceeded to Katra by Bus available very close to railway station. I strongly recommend to take J&K govt buses (fare Rs40). We were ripped by private operators an excess of Rs 20 and that too for a seat in cabin shared with 7 people for 2 hours journey full of scenic beauty. On arrival at Katra proceeded to Trikota Bhavan (Shrine board operated shared dormitory accommodation, which was booked in advance by internet 30 days before arrival Rs 60/person/day) the accommodation was clean and well maintained. There were 10 beds in each room with lockers (take your own lock&key) and separate toilets for men and women, very clean. We proceeded to Banganga by auto (Rs 10/head), had lunch at Langar sponsored by Late Gulshan Kumar of T series.

Initially I was sceptical whether I can walk, so we decided to approach the pony/horse counter maintained by Shrine board. But to my surprise we were asked to approach pony owner directly, the fare was Rs 1000 one way as against Rs 307 (advertised by Shrine board). So decided to walk (Yatra parchi was booked on-line 30 days before cost Rs 50/head) all the way to stretch my physical limit to the max. Security checks are very strict. We started walking at 1.30pm, the first phase of walk till Ardhkuwari is a bit steep,  intermittently took steps there were plenty of shops selling religious items, CD's etc and snack counters on the way till ardhkuwari where we had a coffee at Coffee day.Took the new route from Ardhkuwari which is spacious and well paved the gradient is much gentle, had rajma chawal in between at Shrine maintained food counters. There aren't many stalls in between Ardhkuwari and Bhawan the scenic beauty from here is great, one can get a quick massage in-between. Saw many sorties of helicopter flying until 5pm. We reached Bhavan (much colder compared to katra) at 6pm immediately proceeded to free lockers and deposited bag, all leather items and waited in queue, there wasn't much rush and no block number was given to us.

We had to wait for 2 hours as arathi was going on until 8pm. Once arathi was completed the queue moved fast and we had a glimpse of old cave, moving on further there are two tunnels leading to the pindis. Since there wasn't much rush we could see the pindis heartfully. On way back had the charan ganga sprinkled on us and prashad given near to the exit tunnel. I did not have the stamina to go to Bhairavanath temple as I wanted to trek back on foot, so offered my prayers to mata with a promise to come back again and visit bhairavanath temple. By the time we reached back to there was a huge line waiting for lockers. At around 9pm headed back to katra, the road are well lit and pilgrims were still coming in round the clock, had rajma chawal again at food counters I liked it very much, consciously avoided steps as my knees were already shaky. We reached banganga at 0030hrs, took auto to trikota bhavan Rs 20/head and slumped on to my bed after popping in pain killer tablet. Later on we checked out of accommodation at 12pm and took Prashad at Souvenir shop near bus stand and headed back to Jammu by J & K road transport bus the fare was Rs 40.