Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is located in Katra, a town in Jammu and Kashmir. Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in India. It is dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi and is situated in the Trikuta Mountains. Here we have shared the Mata Vaishno Devi Story and history of Vaishno Devi Temple.
There are hundreds of stories and legends about Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, This article on Vaishno Devi Story is compiled from reliable sources such as the official website of Vaishno devi temple, and from Hindu scriptures, i.e Vedas, Puranas, and Mahabharat.
Mata Vaishno Devi Story
Mata Vaishno Devi is a revered Hindu goddess who is believed to have been created from the combined powers of the three goddesses: Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati.
According to Hindu mythology, Mata Vaishno Devi is known for her benevolence, kindness, and generosity toward her devotees.
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is situated in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India.
Birth Legends of Maa Vaishno Deviji
- The legend of Mata Vaishno Devi dates back to ancient times. It is said that she was born to a devout Brahmin couple, Ratnakar and Dharshana.
- As a child, Vaishno Devi was drawn to spiritual practices and spent most of her time in meditation and prayer.
- One day, she decided to leave her home and journey deep into the mountains to seek enlightenment.
During her journey, she encountered a powerful demon named Bhairon Nath, who had been pursuing her relentlessly. To escape from him, Vaishno Devi entered a cave and meditated there for nine months. The cave, which is now known as the Vaishno Devi Cave, is believed to be the place where she attained enlightenment.
Vaishno Mata Ji Meets Lord Rama
- After nine months, Vaishno Devi emerged from the cave and encountered Lord Rama, who had been searching for her.
- Lord Rama was impressed by her devotion and granted her a boon. She asked him to remain with her forever, and he agreed.
- Together, they spent their days spreading love and compassion among the people.
- Lord Ram Temple is also present on the premises of Vaishno Devi shrine.
Today, millions of pilgrims visit the Vaishno Devi Temple every year to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi. The journey to the temple involves a steep climb through the mountains, and many devotees undertake the journey on foot.
Also Read: 14 Amazing Facts about Vaishno Devi
It is believed that those who make the journey with a pure heart and mind are blessed by the goddess and receive her divine grace.
Vaishno Devi in Hindu Scripture
As is the case with many ancient shrines, it is difficult to find the exact origins of the pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine. However, a geological study of the Holy Cave of Vaishno Devi has suggested that it is nearly a million years old.
- Rigveda, The oldest of the Hindu scriptures, does not mention the worship of Vaishno Devi, Although there is a reference to the mountain Trikuta.
- The tradition of worshipping Shakti, or the divine feminine, is believed to have started during the Puranic period.
Vaishno Devi Story in Mahabharat
The first reference to the Mother Goddess appears in the epic Mahabharata. During the battle of Kurukshetra between the armies of Pandavas and Kauravas.
Arjun, the chief warrior of Pandavas, sought the blessings of the Mother Goddess for victory upon the advice of Sri Krishna.
At the time of worshipping Vaishno Devi, Arjun addressed the Mother Goddess as ‘Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye’, (जम्बूकाटक चित्यैषु नित्यं सन्निहितालय) which translates to ‘you who always reside in the temple on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo’ (likely referring to present-day Jammu).
- It is widely believed that the Pandavas were the first to construct the temples at Kol Kandoli and Bhawan as a mark of reverence and gratitude towards the Mother Goddess.
- Adjacent to the Trikuta Mountain and overlooking the Holy Cave are five stone structures that are thought to be symbolic of the five Pandavas.
Guru Gobind Singh Visited Vaishno Devi Cave
Guru Gobind Singh is said to be the earliest recorded historical figure to have visited the Holy Cave, having reached there via Purmandal. The traditional route to the Holy Cave passed through this famous pilgrimage site.
Some traditions consider this shrine to be the holiest of all Shaktipeeths (a place where the Eternal Energy, the Mother Goddess, resides) because it is said that the skull of Mata Sati fell here, while others believe that her right arm fell here.
However, certain scriptures do not support this belief and instead suggest that Sati’s right arm fell at Gandarbal in Kashmir. Nevertheless, the Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji contains stone remnants of a human hand, known as Varad Hast (the hand that bestows blessings and boons).
Vaishno Devi Ki Kahani – Watch Video
History of Vaishno Devi Temple
The Vaishno Devi Temple, also known as the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, is a highly revered Hindu temple located in the Trikuta Mountains of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The temple is dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi, who is believed to have been created from the combined powers of the three goddesses: Maa Kali, Maa Lakshmi, and Maa Saraswati.
- The history of the Vaishno Devi Temple dates back to ancient times. It is believed that the temple was discovered by a Brahmin priest named Pandit Sridhar in the 11th century.
- According to legend, Pandit Sridhar had a vision of the goddess, who instructed him to excavate a cave in the Trikuta Mountains. When he did so, he discovered the cave and the idol of the goddess inside it.
Over the centuries, the temple grew in popularity, and many devotees began to make the journey to the shrine to seek the blessings of the goddess. The temple was renovated and expanded several times over the centuries, and today it is a sprawling complex that includes several shrines, guesthouses, and other facilities for the pilgrims.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
In 1986, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was established to manage the affairs of the temple. The board is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the temple, as well as for ensuring the safety and comfort of the pilgrims who visit it.
Today, the Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India, and it attracts millions of devotees from all over the world every year.
The journey to the temple involves a steep climb through the mountains, and many pilgrims undertake the journey on foot as a demonstration of their devotion and faith.
