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The Vaishno Devi shrine is actually situated in the embrace
of the Trikuta hills, which is approximately 13 kilometers from the starting
point that's Katra. Katra is a town in the Reasi district and is about 63
kilometers away from Jammu city. This shrine holds great importance as a
pilgrimage center in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and has been under the
management of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board since 1986. Every year,
millions of pilgrims, both from within the country and abroad, make their way
to this sacred site. In the year 2015, a staggering 88 lakh devotees paid their
respects to the holy shrine.
Things to keep in mind before starting the journey to Vaishno Devi temple:
1. Make sure that you are fit enough:
Though millions of pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi Dham each
year that doesn't mean it is achievable by everyone else. Many pilgrims face
Cardiac issues, and asthmatic and
orthopedic problems as well. So to make this holy trip enjoyable it is always a
best practice that you visit when you're seemingly fit. Especially when you do
not have any heart-related or breathing-related problems. Try avoiding such
trips if you face either of them as they're extensively tough treks to achieve.
One may face serious issues while traveling if they've any ongoing heart or
breathing-related diseases.
2. Wear a decent quality of shoes:
Although, you'll have to visit the actual Vaishno
Devi Temple barefoot still it's a good idea to wear a decent-quality sports
shoe or running shoe till reaching a certain point before we get to meet with
the actual Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. However, few devotees chose to complete
the entire trek barefoot but it requires a lot of guts, potential, and fitness
level to achieve that. Remember that this trek consists of 13 km to Vaishno
Devi Temple and then again 2 km to reach Baba Bhairo Nath Temple. Thus, you have
to complete 30 km of trek with or without shoes.
3. Try not to carry heavy weight while trekking:
Now that you know that this entire trek
consists of 30 km, it's better to keep in mind that you're trekking on hills
and not on plains so it's a better idea to carry as light as possible weight or
no weight at all. You may consider carrying a few pairs of clothes due to the
changes in weather or a few important stuff like medicines (if required). As
carrying heavy weight during this trek may literally make you break down while
coming back from the top of the hills. You may keep your bags or luggage in
your hotel rooms or wherever may have stayed in Katra.
4. Stay Hydrated:
No matter which season you choose to go to
the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, it is always a good idea to stay
hydrated during the trek. As it burns so much of calories and water from your
body during the trekking. No matter whether you feel thirsty or not you should
be taking water post every few kilometers perk. Thanks to the management of
the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board who has
very good facilities for washrooms and water tanks after a few kilometers
perk.
5. Go slow and steady:
You might have heard from friends or relatives
that the trek to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is really difficult and
requires a good fitness level to achieve this. Keeping this in mind when you start the trek from the Badhganga Temple and walk to a few kilometers you may
feel it is an easier trek and you may increase your speed at the same time. All
I would say is, do not make this mistake. Go slow and steady and try to
save energy as much as possible as it all will be required when you come back from the top of the hills.
6. Use Stairs wisely or avoid it:
Yes, using stairs can indeed reduce the time of reaching the very top of the hill or coming back from it. But the downside is it's really difficult and it can make you way more tired than you may become while going through the normal slopes. Also, it's not suggested for older people or the ones who have any kind of heart-related or breathing-related problems as they may faint during the trek.
Last but not least:
Have faith in Mata Vaishno Devi and keep chanting Jai Mata Di during the Trek as it will definitely give you the goosebumps for the trek.
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