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Mahanandi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Mahanandi Temple also known as Mahanandiswara Temple located in the east of Nallamala Hills near Nandyal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The Mahanandiswary Swamy Temple is positioned right at the foot of the hills of Srisailam forest.

Mahanandi Temple is also deemed as one of the ‘Nava Nandudlu Temples’ which means the ‘nine shrines’ dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Mahanandi temple is also considered to be the living temple that depicts the Hindu way of life. Lord of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull vehicle, is also considered to be an important aspect of the agricultural world and is also bequeathed with worship because bull here, is correlated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

Mahanandi Temple is also a center of attraction for visitors and pilgrims all over the country and abroad. This is because Mahanandi is a place of scenic beauty surrounded by thick forest and watered by persistent mineral springs from Pushkaranis. The temple is also famous for the presence of ‘Kalyani’ which is the temple tank and the tank is preserved in such a manner that the depth of water does not exceed beyond five feet.

Mahanandi Temple History

According to Mahanandi Temple history ‘Sthalapurana’, the 7th-century temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Mahanandiswara is one of the ancient temples of India and it dates back over 1,500 years and the inscriptions of the 10th-century tablets portray the fact that this temple has been restored and rebuilt quite a lot of times. The initial structure of the temple was erected by the Chalukyas in the 7th century and, later on, numerous additions were made to the temple in the 10th and 15th centuries.  According to the legend of the temple, the kings of the area who were addressed as Nandas ruled in the 10th century AD and constructed a mammoth of temples and adored their ancestral deity, Nandi.

One of the most momentous features of the Mahananadi temple is the purified holy water of Pushkarani which flows throughout the year. The water is believed to be so gemstone clear that even a particle dropped in the water looks visible. A tower named Gopuram which is placed over the central sanctrum was constructed in the ‘Badami Chalukyan Style’ of architecture and the rest of the temples were built in the ‘Vijayanagara Style.’

There are also several myths associated with this temple. As per the myth, Rasa Siddha is believed to have built a dome over the sanctum which is known as ‘Vimana’ and he also made the workers group sand mounds which he later altered to his wealth. A copper plate by Krishna Devaraya confirms that Mahanandi belongs to one of the most blessed places where Simha, the king’s brother donated precious gifts.

As per the legend, the milk which was used for Abhishekam which means ablution was used to be conveyed on a daily basis from a distance to the temple. A considerable amount of milk was brought from Gopavaram diary and the milk of a black coloured cow was sent to the king on an everyday basis, exclusively. The cow was approved to scuff in the forest but a couple of days later it was discovered that the cow had the propensity to provide less milk after the cow arrived from the forest. Few days later, a cowherd followed the cow and to his surprise, he found out that the cow scuffed around an embankment and allowed her milk to run freely on it.  From this edge emerged Lord Krishna and the cow then returned. The king came to know about the miraculous occurrence and decided to follow the cow the day later to seize a peek of Lord Krishna. As soon as the king proceeded and caught a glimpse of Lord Krishna, the cow became panicky and mistakenly stepped on the mound in fear. With this accident, the child disappeared but the impression of the cleft remained, with this the king realized his mistake and prayed for forgiveness. The Lord then proclaimed that the embankment would dry up and would develop into a ‘Swayambhu Linga’ at Mahanandi, even today the signs of the cow’s cleft are visible on the top of the Linga.

Significance of Mahanandi Temple

The Mahanandi temple is famous for its pools and attracts visitors every year. The architecture of the temple, as well as the pools, reflects the dexterity of the ‘Vishwakarma Brahmins.’

Apart from this, the main temple is enclosed by three pools, one big pool inside the temple itself and two small pools at the entrance. The holy tank is 60 square feet with an outdoor exhibition area known as ‘Mandapa’ in the center. The bay and exit of the tank are organized in such a way that the depth of water does not exceed facilitating the pilgrims to dip in the holy pools. The water source is also unique as it has continuous flow regardless of the change of seasons and the water source initiates at the ‘Garbhagruha’ which is placed below the Swayambhu Linga. The devotees are also able to touch the water near the Shiva Linga.

The most significant aspect of the temple is the fact that it has been reckoned as one of the nine shrines devoted to Lord Shiva. The Nava Nandulu temples are:

  • Prathamanandi Temple also known as Padma Nandi is one the first one as the name suggests and is constructed on an embankment of the earth which is close to the Nandyal Railway station.
  • Naganandi Temple is positioned inside an Ajaneya Temple which means Hanuman Temple to the west of Nandyal.
  • Vinayakananda Temple is positioned to the left which is immediately outside the departure. To be precise, it is outside Gopuram, the northwest of Mahanandi Temple.
  • Garudanandi Temple is situated to the west of Mahanandi Temple and is as exclusive as Garuda, the kite which is attributed as the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
  • Shivanandi Temple is situated in the Kadamala Village. This temple is roughly 13kms from Nandyal closer to the Kadamala Kaluva, a canal which is just next to Thimmavaram Village and the architectural structure is similar to that of the Chalukyas.
  • Vishnunandi Temple also knows as Krishnanandi is located 2 miles prior to Mahanandi Temple and is also one of the most visited temples.
  • Suryanandi Temple is situated 6 miles west from Mahanandi and 4 miles east from Nandyal. From U. Bollavaram village the route to this temple is through a curve raised on two large metal shafts to the right.
  • Somanandi Temple is located towards the east of Nandyal closer to Atmakur where a new temple to the Jagathjanani temple is being constructed.
  • Mahanandi Temple.

The supervising deity here is Lord Shiva who is worshiped by the name of Mahanandiswara Swamy which is in the form of a sanctified Shivalingam. The famous water source is also believed to have been evolved from beneath the self – manifested Shivalingam which is present in the sanctum sanctorum. The incredible trait of the temple is that the sanctified water gushing out of the sanctum sanctum assists in irrigating 2000 acres of fertile land around the village. The village is enclosed by rice fields, vegetables, fruits, flowers and other vegetation.

Apart from this, the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple facing the west is enclosed by a high wall with the temple tower called Gopuram towards the north and south, of the late Vijayanagar era. The presence of Mukhamandapa, the main entrance hall with two subordinate shrines in the north and south. The Vimana which is the dome over sanctum is arched and pyramid shaped with a Shikara, a tower at the top in the Nagari style.

The fresh Koneru which means the water pools also called Pushkarani is a key factor of magnetism for all the visitors. The water is considered to come from five springs which are named ‘Srisailadhara,’ ‘Narasimhadhara,’ ‘Daivodhinidhara,’ ‘Nanditirtha’ and ‘Kailasatirtha’ respectively.

An enormous Nandi sits in front of the shrine providing the temple its name, the Mahanandi Tirtha. Close to the sanctum is a shrine devoted to the Goddess Kameshwari Devi, the companion of Mahanadeeshwara. The Srichkara in front of the deity is said to have been established by Adisankaracharya and the well-liked belief is that when one contemplate upon the Lord, one would receive an appearance which is applicable to the individual’s status ahead of the mother. The Mukhamantapa which is the entrance hall of the Goddess is a topical construction and the shrine of Kameswari Devi was recreated in 1939. In the rear of the main shrine, three small shrines containing a Shivalinga are present.

On the foundation of Mahanandiswara Temple, one can see an arched marble shrine of ‘Lord Kodanda Rama,’ the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu that was supplemented with the compound in 1953. Images of Sri Rama, Sita and Lashkmana are strikingly carved and the devotees find it complicated to progress away from them.

The sociable water of the ‘Rudrakundam’ irrigates 2000 acres of fertile land enclosing the village and the areas enfolding Mahanandiswara Temple are tranquil in nature with fruit, rice fields, flower gardens, vegetables and groves.

Mahanandi Temple Timings

  • Temple opening timings everyday : 5:30 am – 9:00 pm
  • Mangala Vadhyamulu : 4:45 am
  • Suprabhatam : 5:00 am
  • Swamy Vari Sthanika Abhishekam : 5:30 am
  • Mahamangala Harathi : 6:00 am
  • Abhishekam Swamy Variki : 6:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Laghunyasa Abhishekam : 6:30 am to 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam : 6:30 am to 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Festivals celebrated at Mahanandi Temple

The festival of Maha Sivrathri is one of the most popular events where numerous devotees gather to pay homage and worship Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated for seven long days initiating from ‘Maha Bhula Chaturdasi’ which is the 14th day after full moon in February- March. Around 20,000 devotees from different parts of the country, specifically from Andhra Pradesh, Mysore and Maharashtra visit the temple on an everyday basis. Pilgrims here have the propensity to worship ‘Mallikarjunaswamy’ and then a definite order to visit the other Nandi temples are followed.

Apart  from the Maha Sivarathri, some other remarkable festivals celebrated are:

  • Ugadi: March / April
  • Vaikunta Ekadasi: December/ January
  • Kartika Poornima: November/ December
  • Vijayadashami: October

How to reach: Road, Rail, Air

  • By Air: The nearest airport to reach Mahanandiswara Temple is at Hyderabad, which is about 215km from Kurnool.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to reach Mahanandiswara Temple is Nandyal railway station.
  • By Road: The APSRTC run bus services to the major cities like Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Kurnool, Vijaywada etc. The buses also pursue to the parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka such as Bellary, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The other route to the temple is the Bangalore-Nandyal route: Bangalore to Gotty to Yaganti to Nandyal to Mahanandiswara Temple.

Where to Stay

Hotels, Lodges as well as government accommodation are always available at Nandyal and such facilities are also available at Kurnool. Some of the places for accommodation include; Devasthanam Temple Choultries, TTD Choultries, Naganandi Sadan, APTDC Haritha Hotel Mahanandi at Kurnool, Hotel Balaji, New Udipi hotel, Sivapriya Lodge and much more lodging facilities are available at the Mahanandi village.

Where to Eat

Mahanandi village and the areas nearby Mahanandi Temple consist of quite a good number of hotels and restaurants with a variety of  delicacies.

Nearby Temples

There are a number of important temples located near by the Mahanandi Temple and visitors from around the country visit these temples as well.

  • Kameswari Devi Temple: Kameswari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and is positioned to the south of Mahanandiswara Temple at a distance of less than 1km from Mahanandi Bus Station. The temple was constructed in 1939 and King Nandana and his ancestors were believed to perform Pujas and rituals at this temple.
  • Ahobilam Temple: Located 70km from Nandyal and 150km from Kurnool. Ahobilam temple is considered to be one among the holy sites in the Allagadda mandal in Andhra Pradesh. It has two temple houses, lower Ahobilam, and upper Ahobilam and as per the legend of this temple, Lord Narasimha gave his blessings to Prahlada and slew the demon Hiranyakashipu here.
  • Yaganti Temple: Among the many temples located in Andhra, one of the most magnificent temples is the Sri Uma Maheswara Temple also known as the Yaganti Temple or Yagantiswamy Temple is located at Yaganti which is at Kurnool in the district of Andhra Pradesh. The Uma Maheswara Temple dwells in the idols of Shiva and Parvathi also termed as Ardhanareeswara and is engraved out of a single stone. This temple is almost certainly the only place where Lord Shiva is adorned in the form of an idol and not in the form of a Shiva Linga.
  • Alampur Sri Jogulamba Devi Temple: Positioned in the district of Mahbubnagar in Telangana,  Alampur Temple is located about 90km from Mahbubnagar, 27 km from Kurnool and 200 km from Hyderabad. This temple has also been listed as an architectural and archaeological treasure on the official “List of Monuments”  under the Archaeological survey of India and under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological sites and Remains Act.
  • Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Chakirala: Located at Chakirala, Andhra Pradesh, Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is one of the most will know temples of South. The most important aspect of this temple is that devotees visit the temple in order to seek wealth, salvation, relief from disorders and also to gain knowledge.
  • Nandavaram Chowdeshwari Devi Temple: Nandavaram village is mostly popular because of the presence of Chowdeshwari Devi Temple. According to the legend, Chowdeshwari Devi came from Varanasi to Nandavaram through an underground passage within a day. Also, the temple has been constructed in such a manner that the present deity resides exactly above the place where the original deity dwells.
  • Sri Kotilingala Temple: Situated in Kammasandra village in Kolar district, Kotilingala Temple also known as the Lord Kotilingeshwara Temple is about 6km from Kolar Gold Fields also known as KGF. This temple consists of the largest Linga of Asia which stands 108 feet tall and apart from this there are eleven small temples of various deities constructed within the grounds of this temple. Visitors and pilgrims visit these temples every year.

Lokanarkavu Temple Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

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Lokanarkavu Temple is located in Kozhikode District of Kerala. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). It is the official family temple of the 500 Aryan Nagariks who had migrated to Kerala and their successors.

The main deity in the Lokanarkavu temple is Goddess Durga. It is adjacent to two shrines dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. The dance, performed during the festival is Thacholikali. It resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero Thacholi Othenan. The main temple, according to legend is 1500 years old.

Lokanarkavu Temple

Lokanarkavu Temple History

  • Trade was the main occupation of the Aryans Brahmins. It was the temple built by the Aryans Brahmins. They accepted the traditions of the local Nairs and made a relationship with them. But on close examination, their customs and beliefs were evidently different from local Nair community.
  • The goddess travelled with them to Lokanarkavu in the form of a lady who followed the five hundred Aryans. The successors still see this goddess as their mother and not a goddess. Othenan was a great devotee of Goddess Durga. But he had nothing to do with the establishment of Durga temple. It is evident from the fact that the goddess is Durga at Lokanarkavu and not the Kali form.
  • The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja. During such poojas, there was the sacrifice of either animals or humans to praise the Lord. This tradition was not only followed by the locals but also by the Kerala Kings and later it was modified. This was one of the common practice of the locals and kings.
  • In the older times, they have refused to pay taxes to the local kings of Kerala, as none of them was an Aryan. This shows that the race spirit was so high at that time. But at the same time or say at a later period they began to ignore the cast restrictions and even seemed to threaten the cast equations. But slowly they became adjusted. And more reclusive and settles around Lokanarkavu Temple areas and withdrew from all other matters of Local people.
  • As time passed there were certain modifications that were made by replacing human sacrifice with cutting plantain or performing poojas with tender coconut. And cereals were meant to replace liquor and meat. Unlike this local tradition, Lokanarkavu Durga temple does not have any such traditions. 

Significance of the Lokanarkavu Temple

  • Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or more popularly Thacholi Othenanwas a legendary hero from North Kerala, a small state in south India. He lived in the 16th century. His real name was Udayana Kurup who started practising Kalarippayattu from a very young age. Later through practise, he became a skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless.
  • This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Thacholikali is presented during festivals. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero Thacholi Othenan.

Lokanarkavu Temple Timings

Lokanarkavu temple remains open from 4 AM to 9 AM in the morning and 5 PM to 7 PM in the evening.

Festivals celebrated at the Lokanarkavu Temple

Lokanarkavu Utsavam

This main festival of the temple, which lasts for 41 days. It is held during the Malayalam month of ‘Vrischikam’ (mid-November to mid-December). It is locally known as ‘Mandalavilakku’ Festival or ‘Mandala Utsavam’. A folk dance called ‘Thacholikali’ is performed during the temple festival. ‘Thacholikali’ is similar to the traditional martial art form called ‘Kalarippayattu’. Large numbers of people from various places flock here to see this festival. People come together to lit the lamps in the temple and the sight is worth seeing.

Meenam Festival

Meenam Festival is celebrated for eight days with ‘Kodiyettam’ (flag hoisting) on the ‘Rohini’ day. The traditional dance performance of ‘Theyyambadi Kurup’ is the special attraction on the fifth and the sixth days. On the seventh day is the ‘Nadu Valam Vekka’ and ‘Pallivetta’ (holy hunt). On the ‘Pooram’ day is the ‘Poorappattu’ and ‘Poorakkali’ (a traditional dance ritual performed by men). ‘Poorakali’, conducted during the night, is a fascinating event. ‘Poorappattu’ includes the theme from the life history of the Goddess. The idol of the goddess is taken for ‘Arattu’ on the ‘Pooram’ day.

Poojas and Rituals

Earlier rulers of Kerala used to worship goddesses by following Thamasa Pooja or Shakteya Pooja. According to this pooja, either man or animal was sacrificed to the goddess.  As time passed, this tradition was followed by generation to generation. It was followed by the local people as well as the kings of Kerala. Later, this tradition was replaced with chopping plantain or performing Poojas by making use of tender coconut and cereals, owing to the Aryanisation of temples.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to reach Lokanarkavu Temple is Karipur International Airport (Calicut International Airport). The airport is around 87 km from Memunda.

By Train: Vadakara Railway Station (or Badagara Railway Station), managed by the Southern Railways. It is the nearest railway station to reach Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi Temple. Situated on the Kozhikode – Mangalore railway line, some of the major trains passing through Vadakara Railway Station include Kannur Express, Parasuram Express, Mangalore Mail, Malabar Express, Chennai Mail, Maveli Express, West Coast Express, Netravathi Express, and Ernakulam Express.

By Road: Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda about 6 km from Vadakara. National Highway 17 passes through Vadakara, and the place is around 48 km north of Kozhikode. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and several private bus owners operate frequent bus services to Memunda.

Where to stay

  • Hotel Paramount Tower: Hotel Paramount Tower is a luxury hotel in Calicut. It provides Wi-Fi services on its premises. The Kozhikode Beach is at 3 km from the hotel. This Calicut hotel houses 53 spacious rooms spanned across 8 floors. The rooms in this hotel are well equipped with attached bathroom, chargeable Internet connection, TV with satellite channels, minibar, and designer toiletries. There are in-house multi-cuisine restaurant and rooftop Barbeque restaurant in this hotel. The hotel facilitates currency exchange, laundry, travel desk, medical, and room services. Contact: Kozhikode, Calicut, Kerala – 673 001
  • Queens Hotel: Queens Hotel in Calicut offers a total of 21 rooms which comprise of several amenities like cable television, separate sitting area, air-conditioner and an attached bathroom with supply of hot and cold water.  One can easily reach from the Kozhikode railway station as it is at a distance of 1 KM from the hotel. Contact: Calicut, Kerala – 673 002
  • Hotel Nalanda: Hotel Nalanda consists of 10 rooms spread over 3 floors. In-room amenities include a television, welcome amenities, makeup mirror, bottled/drinking water, attached bathroom with a hot and cold running water supply and a wardrobe. This hotel in Kozhikode is 3 km from Kozhikode Bus Stand and 30 km from Calicut International Airport. Contact: Calicut, Kerala – 673 001
  • Apex Inn: Apex Inn provides 24-hour front desk assistance to its guests. This property in Calicut provides services like laundry, medical assistance and room service to its guests. Apex Inn has a power backup generator in case of emergency. One can easily reach here from the Calicut International Airport. Contact: Calicut, Kerala – 673 032
  • Park Residency: Park Residency is the most happening place in town with a host of modern features like a multi-cuisine restaurant and a conference hall.  There is 24/7 assistance that is provided and each room of this hotel is well equipped. Contact: Ramanattukara, Calicut, Kerala – 673 633
  • The Gateway Hotel Beach Road: The Gateway Hotel Beach Road (A Taj Hotel) offers royal comforts & peace to business & leisure travellers. This hotel accommodates its guests in stylishly furnished rooms. Guests can enjoy modern facilities like fully equipped health club, rejuvenating swimming-pool, gift shop, high-speed internet access, rental cell phones, currency exchange, multi-cuisine restaurant & many such hi-end comforts are been set. Contact: P T Usha Road, Calicut, Kerala – 673 002

Where to eat

There are several food joints and restaurants nearby that serve delicious food. It is a blend of ingredients with culinary art. Here are some of the best places that serve the most luscious food in a comforting atmosphere to the tourists.

Nearby Temples

Sree Valayanad Devi Temple: The Valayanad Devi temple was built in the 14th century by the Zamorins. The temple, which faces north, has four gopurams(towers).  The Devi temple at Valayanad has its own distinct identity and is different in several respects from other Devi temples in India. The poojas in this temple are performed in accordance with the practice of Guruji worship.  Goddess from Kashmir known as Chandika is known as the presiding deity of this temple. The Goddess is also called Mahartham and Kalasarppini. The annual festival commences every year on the day of Karthika of Makaram and continues for seven days.  There are five Moosad families residing around the Shri Valayanad Kavu.

Azhakodi Devi Temple: The samoothiri entrusted six of his generals to the temple Arikkodikkavu which is presently renowned as Azhakodi Devi mahashekthram. An idol of ‘Bhavani Devi’ was given by the samoothiri which was gifted to him by the traders of Gujarat. The generals were instructed to place the idol adjacent to the ‘Bhagavathi Idol’ in the ‘Arikkodikkavu’ sreekovil and worship the same.

Tali Mahakshetram: The Tali Siva temple was one of the two Brahmanical royal temples patronized by the Zamorin. And to this day remains one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres in Kozhikode. The temple’s date of origin is uncertain but was most likely built during the foundation of the city itself in the 12th century or before. The temple is surrounded by gigantic walls of ‘elephant belly’ (aana palla) type with a broad base and narrower neck at the top. One of the two tanks attached to the temple can be seen to the right.

Thalikkunu Shiva Temple: Thalikkunu Shiva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in Mankave, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. The most important is the Maha Shivaratri which is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha. As said Lord Shiva is the main Deity. Lord Ganapati and Ayyappa is worshipped inside the Ullambalam and Nagaraja are worshiped outside beside a big Banyan Tree.

Sree Kanteswara Temple: It is installed by the great spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru. Sree Kanteshwara Temple is located in the southwest corner of the Kozhikode stadium at a distance of 1.5 km from the railway station. Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple also known as Puthiyambalam has a Shiva Lingam in the Dhakshinamoorthi Sankalpa as the main deity. Besides these, many other offerings and rituals like Shodashabhishekam, Udayasthamana Pooja etc. Lord Subramanian, Sree Ganapathi, Sree Dharma Shastha, Maha Vishnu, Bhagavathi and Navagraha are the upadevathas (other deities) here. It is believed that centuries earlier a temple named Nalliswara Kshetram

Own car in Char Dham Yatra

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Can we take our own car in char dham?

Yes, you can take your own car in Char Dham Yatra. However, it is not recommended to do so. Many narrow roads connect the Char Dhams. Therefore, it is safer to hire one experienced travel company. They would provide you experienced drivers who have driven in these roads before.

Get Experienced Drivers for Chardham

We provide experienced drivers and clean hotels for char dham

Char Dham Yatra Tour Package – Details

The Char Dhams are the Dhams of Yamunotri Temple, Gangotri Temple, Kedarnath Temple, and Badrinath Temple. These Dhams could be visited by trekking and driving. One has to drive through extremely narrow hilly areas. Therefore, one who is not experienced with driving through hilly areas should not take their car.

Here is the driving route if you are taking your own car in Char Dham Yatra:

  • Delhi to Haridwar: The distance is 210kms and time taken to cover the distance is 6hrs.
  • Haridwar to Barkot: The distance is 220kms and time taken to cover it is 7hrs.
  • Barkot to Yamunotri: The distance is 36km driving and 6kms trekking.
  • Barkot to Uttarkashi. The distance is 110kms and time taken to cover it is 4.5hrs.
  • Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag: The distance is 175kms and time taken is 6hrs.
  • Rudraprayag to Kedarnath: The distance is 75kms drive and 25kms trek.
  • Rudraprayag to Badrinath: The distance is 160kms and time taken to cover the distance is 8hrs.
  • Rishikesh to Delhi: The distance is 230kms and the time taken is 6hrs.

Myoksha Travels provides well-experienced drivers ensuring the safety of its customers in the risky roads.

Frequently asked questions about Char Dham Yatra

Kailash Manasarovar

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Kailash Manasarovar – The dream of any ardent Hindu devotee is the soul fulfilling spiritual visit, often called as the ultimate pilgrimage is to the abode of the supreme Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at Mount Kailash.

The beautiful, calm and mystical Linga shaped peak is located at an altitude of 22,028 feet above sea level. The majestic peak is situated among the Gangdise Mountains, also known as the Kailash Range. The range forms a part of Transhimalaya in Tibet China.

The two mystical water bodies – Lake Manasarovar (believed to have been a creation of Lord Brahma’s mind) and Lake Rakshastal (Lake of demons or Rakshas) lie just beside the peak.

The holy peak is believed to have been worshiped even before the beginning of Hinduism and other religions. It is religiously significant not just for Hindus, but also for the Tibetan religious sect called Bon, Buddhism, and Jainism.

The Buddhists call the peak as Gangs Rin-po-che or the Kangri Rin-po-che meaning “Precious Jewel of Snows”. The Bon call the peak as Nine Stacked Swastika Mountain and Water’s flower.

The trek to the base of Mount Kailash is however extremely arduous and risky. The peak is situated in a remote and inhospitable area. Persons willing to have a glimpse of the Mount should be extremely fit and tolerant to altitude sickness and low oxygen conditions. No one is allowed to set foot on the peak. One can only circum-ambulate Mount Kailash or worship it from a distance.

The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is incomplete without paying respect to the mystical and enchanting Lake Manasarovar. This lake is the situated at an altitude of 14, 750 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. The circumference of the lake is 88 km long and its complete circumambulation takes 4-5 days to complete.

The lake is near the source of River Sutlej, and a few kilometers away from the source of River Indus and the Brahmaputra. It is believed that the Lake was once surrounded by eight monasteries. However, only a few are left today, the Chiu Gompa being the prominent one. The lake is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Sati.

History of Kailash Manasarovar

  • It is believed that Mount Kailash and the Lakes of Manasarovar and Rakshastal have existed since time immemorial. They are the creations of God that nobody can put a date to. Hundreds of pilgrims belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism take the pilgrimage to this divine place to receive the blessings of their respective beliefs of God.
  • The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was stopped between the period of 1954 – 1978 due to political and border disputes between India and China. It was renewed later in the 1980’s.
  • According to Hindu beliefs, Lake Manasarovar was created in the mind by Lord Brahma. Hence, the name “Manas” meaning Mind and Sarovar meaning Lake was given to the Lake. The Buddhists associate the Lake with legendary Lake Anavatapa, where Maya is believed to have been conceived with Buddha.
  • According to the legend regarding the origin of the lake, it is believed that Lord Brahma had 12 sons who performed rituals and several austerities on the dry land. To create a more serene and suitable place for them to earn their merit, Lord Brahma created the Manasarovar Lake.
  • As per Buddhist legends, Buddha’s mother Maya was transported here by the Gods. She took a bath in the water of the Manasarovar Lake and her body was purified. She witnessed a white elephant running towards her down the Mount Kailash as Buddha entered her womb.
  • The Rakshastal Lake has a legend of its own to contribute to the glorious Hindu mythology. The lake lies just west of the Manasarovar Lake and is also known as the Ravana Tal. It is believed that the Lake was created by the King of Lanka, Ravana when he was performing severe penance to Lord Shiva in order to obtain the Atmalinga from him. The lake is a saltwater lake, unlike the Manasarovar Lake which is fresh water in nature. The lake does not support aquatic life and hence considered poisonous by the locals. Even though the visitors don’t enter the lake, they do pay their respects along their journey to it. The two lakes are connected via a small stream of water named Ganga Chhu.

Significance of Kailash Manasarovar Pilgrimage

  • It is mentioned in the ancient scriptures that anyone who takes a dip in the holy Mansarovar Lake and circumambulates the peak, gets absolved of his or her sins for generations and attain salvation. The Kailash Manasarovar Lake is believed to have healing powers.
  • Kailash Manasarovar Lake is believed to be the abode of the Hamsa or the Swan of Lord Brahma, one of the holy Trinity.
  • The Lake is also considered to be one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas where the Right hand of Goddess Sati fell to Earth after the Daksha Yagna episode of Hindu mythology. The Goddess is worshiped here as Dakshayini. The site is extremely sacred to the Shakta sect of Hinduism.
  • In the Vishnu Purana, a description of Mount Kailash states that the four sides of the peak are made up of Crystal, Ruby, Gold and Lapis-Lazuli (deep blue semi-precious antique stones).
  • The Mount Kailash is also known as the Axis Mundi of the World. This means that the Mount provides the connection between the physical world and the spiritual world. It is the axis around which the world has been created by the Gods.
  • The visit to Mount Kailash peak is considered extremely sacred as it is situated near the sources of some of the longest and the holiest rivers that flow through Asia. These rivers are Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and
  • Apart from being considered as extremely sacred by Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the peak has significance in other religions too. The Jains call the peak as Mount Ashtapada or the Meru Parvat, where the founder of Jainism and the first Tirthankara Rishabhadeva attained Moksha. The Buddhists consider the peak as the navel of the universe. It is also the home of the Buddha Demchok or Chakrasamvara, the representation of supreme bliss and harmony. The three hills rising from the peak are considered as the abodes of Bodhisattvas Manjushri, Vajrapani, and Avalokiteshwara. The Bon religious sect worships the peak as the abode of the sky Goddess Sipaimen.
  • It is religiously believed that no one should step or climb the peak as it is considered a sin. It is claimed by locals that such ventures have ended up having tragic and disastrous consequences. It is believed that the stairways or the ridges on Mount Kailash lead to Heaven.
  • During the journey to Mount Kailash, one can also visit other holy peaks like Ravana Parvat, Hanuman Parvat, Padmasambhava, Manjushri, Vajradhara, Avalokiteshwara, Jambeyang, Shavari, and Norseng. These peaks are extremely sacred for the Buddhists.
  • In Buddhism, Lake Manasarovar is believed to be round shaped Sun representing “Brightness and Good Nature” while the Lake Rakshastal which is crescent shaped represents “Darkness and Evil”. The narrow connection named Ganga Chhu represents the small difference and the gray area between these two aspects of life.
  • The famed Gauri Kund or the Parvati Sarovar is located en route to Mount Kailash. This is believed to be the lake where Goddess Parvati gave birth to Lord Ganesha and made him stand as a guard while she was taking a bath. Lord Ganesha stopped Lord Shiva from meeting Parvati and in a fit of rage, Lord Shiva beheaded Ganesha. Distraught Parvati requested Lord Shiva to forgive Ganesha and bring him back to life. Lord Shiva replaced Ganesha’s head with the head of a nearby elephant and since then, Ganesha came to be known as the “Elephant headed God”.

Kailash Manasarovar Temple Timings

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in co-operation with the Indian Mountaineering Federation every year between the months of May-September.

Dress code at Kailash Manasarovar

  • Tibet is an extremely cold and dry part of the world. The weather is unpredictable throughout the day. During the months of May-September, the day temperature is most likely to be around 10-20 degree Celsius. The nights are expected to be extremely chilly and windy. Hence, one must be prepared with warm clothes, sweaters, socks, gloves, mufflers, ear covers, scarves, Vaseline, dry fruits, umbrellas, torches and sports shoes.
  • Although medical facilities will be provided by both the Indian and the Chinese Governments, it is recommended that one should carry basic medicines for fever, body pain, altitude sickness, dehydration, vomiting, and dysentery and muscle pain.

How to reach Kailash Manasarovar

A limited number of Indian pilgrims are allowed to visit the Kailash Manasarovar every year. They are monitored by the Indian and the Chinese Governments.

There are two routes to reach Mount Kailash from the Indian side. They are mentioned as below:

  • Route 1: The Lipulekh Pass Route. The Yatra begins with a 3-4 day stay at Delhi. The tentative duration for the yatra would be 25 days with a cost of about 1.6 lakh per person.
  • Route 2: The Nathu La Pass Route. The Yatra begins with a 3-4 day stay at Delhi. The duration of the yatra would be 23 days with    the cost of 2 lakhs per person.
  • Apart from the Government conducted travel package, one can also book a private package that reaches Mount Kailash via Kathmandu, Nepal. This journey takes only 16-18 days to complete and is covered in jeeps. However, the cost, as well as safety, remains an issue as the packages are privately operated and do not come under the Government preview.
  • The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km long. The circumambulation is made in the clockwise direction by the Hindus and the Buddhists while in an anti-clockwise direction by the Jain and the Bon followers.

Where to stay

The Government tours provide accommodation to the pilgrims both on the Indian as well as the Chinese side. The tour cost includes basic accommodation for all the devotees. The Tibetan authorities have constructed small hotels and lodges to facilitate easy movement and rest for the visiting pilgrims. Private packages include a comfortable stay for devotees and camping gear is also provided to whomsoever who wish to stay outdoors.  One can also hire or buy private tents and stay on the banks of the Manasarovar Lake or in the monasteries.

Where to eat

The devotees are served pure vegetarian cuisine during their trip to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar. The cuisine is mainly North Indian or Chinese. Breakfast items are generally Bread toasts, Paranthas or Pooris. Rice is served as lunch. It is advised to carry snacks and dry fruits in the case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

Vaishno Devi Temple Guide – Timings, History, and Poojas

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Vaishno Devi Temple is a pre-eminent dedication to Goddess Shakti (Sati or Adi Parashakti). The shrine sits comfortably among the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tribes of pilgrims flock to the beloved shrine battling harsh weather and a steep climb with zeal and admiration to shower themselves with her blessings.

This cave-structured temple is a place of worshipping the Goddess in the form of a five feet rock with a three-headed peak. Furthermore, the three heads locally go by the name Pindies, which are a reflection of the three holy forms of Goddess Shakti. The Pindi on the right peak represents Goddess Mahakali, the central Pindi represents Goddess Mahalakshmi and the Pindi to the left is an avatar of Goddess Saraswati.

Facts About Vaishno Devi Temple

LocationKatra, Jammu and Kashmir
Opening and Closing DatesOpen 365 days in a year
Darshan Timings5:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
PoojaAarti before sunrise and after sunset
DeityGoddess Shakti
Nearest AirportJammu Airport
Entry FeeNo Entry Fee
Festivals Navratri
Photography in the templeNot allowed

What are the timings of Vaishno Devi Temple?

Time of the DayDuration
Morning5:00 am – 12:00 pm
Evening4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Temple Poojas and Rituals

Pooja at Vaishno Devi Temple
Aarti takes place in both morning and evening right before sunrise and sunset

“Atma Pooja” meaning self-cleansing by the priests marks the start of the Pooja. The Goddess is then bathed with water, ghee, milk, honey and sugar. Amidst several chants and shlokas, the Goddess dresses up in a saree, chola and chuni.

The Morning and the Evening Aarti – The Aarti dedicated to the Goddess happens twice a day. Similar rituals take place once just before sunrise and once immediately after the sunset.

The whole process lasts up to two hours. Each Aarti is done once inside the main shrine or the sanctum and then outside the cave where devotees gather to witness the divine procedure.

Hereafter she is adorned with several ornaments like bangles and sindoor (kumkum). The offering of the Naivedyam is then made to the Goddess. Hereafter, the Aarti makes its way outside the cave where all the other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped.

Pooja PlaceTimings
Individual Pooja‘Yagyashaala’ in the main BhawanBefore 8:00 am at Room No.8
Shraddha Suman Vishesh PoojaIn front of the old cage of Mata’s DarbarBefore 8:00 am at Room No.8

Vaishno Devi Temple Routes – Old and New

Vaishno Devi Temple stands at one of the three peaks of the Trikuta Mountains. The 13 km Trek to the peak of the mountain starts in Katra, passes through Banganga and then diverges into two different pathways.

One route goes via the Adhkuwari Temple and is the old one to reach the Bhawan. Moreover, this route is steep and narrow but beliefs are that it is built along the original route that the Goddess took to reach the Holy Cave at the top.

However, Considering the convenience of the devotees, the administration of the temple constructed a new route. The new route is via Himkoti. This track is wide enough with an ascendable gradient. Also, most pilgrims accompanied by senior citizens and young ones prefer this route.

Banganga makes the first stop for the pilgrims on their way to the Bhawan. However, the next stops are Charan Paduka and Adhkuwari. The Adhkuwari shrine is a mark that denotes that the pilgrims are halfway through the Bhawan.

Management of Vaishno Devi Temple is quite well. And fulfils all necessary and modern requirements of its visiting pilgrims such as food, shelter, resting places, viewing points, blankets, toilets, hot water facilities and medical facilities.

Significance of Vaishno Devi Temple

  • The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is both popularly and controversially the most important Shakti Peetha of Goddess Sati. According to a belief, the skull or the head of the Goddess fell here after the Daksha Yagna episode. However, the other belief says it was the right arm of Goddess Sati that fell here. To support this belief, there are remains of a human hand which can still be found in the holy cave. It is popular as “Varad Hast” which means “The Hand that grants blessings”.
  • Moreover, it is a strong belief of most of the devotees that they usually receive an inner spiritual call or pull from the Mata or the Goddess to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine. Belief says that only the one who receives the call receives her blessings. Once the call comes, nothing on Earth can stop the devotee from reaching Vaishno Devi Temple.
  • The three holy Pindies here are manifestations of Goddess Shakti and arise from a single rock at the base. However, they differ from each other in aspects of colour and texture of the rock. The Pindi of Goddess Mahakali is black representing the unknown energy. Goddess Mahalakshmi’s Pindi exhibits golden yellow shade representing wealth, prosperity, and quality of life. The Pindi of Goddess Saraswati has a whitish tinge representing purity and wisdom of life.
  • Vaishno Devi Temple is the most visited pilgrimage site in the Northern half of India and it ranks second as the most visited shrine in the Tirumala Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
  • It is a local belief that any devotee who passes through the Garbha Joon (Womb shaped cave at Adhkuwari) with pure devotion ends up with his or her wish fulfilment.
  • As per the Hindu tradition, there are four Purusharth or the objectives of a good human life – Dharm (righteousness or justice), Arth (Material pursuits), Kaam (Contentment) and Moksha (Enlightenment). Beliefs are that ones who undertake the Vaishno Devi Temple pilgrimage attain all four of these. Moreover, no one goes back empty-handed from this shrine.

History of Vaishno Devi Temple

The exact date or the year of the beginning of the worship of the Goddess in the caves cannot be traced. However, several references are there in Mahabharata which hint towards the holy goddess of Jamboo Mountains.

Jamboo is the ancient name of the present-day Jammu. Beliefs are that Pandavas were the original worshipers of the Goddess in the holy cave. Five stone figures probably representing the Pandavas found in a nearby mountain range giving some credibility to the association of Pandavas to Vaishno Devi Temple.

Legends Associated with Vaishno Devi Temple

There are many legends about the temple such as –

Legend of Vaishno Devi as Trikuta

According to the legend, in the Treta Yuga, Mata Vaishno Devi was born as Trikuta to Ratnakar Sagar in South India. She later became popular as Vaishnavi as she was born from the lineage of Lord Vishnu.

At the age of 9 years, she performed penance on the seashore and met Lord Rama. She threw a marriage proposal before him. But he gave her a promise that Lord Vishnu’s tenth avatar in the Kaliyuga, Kalki will marry her.

Lord Rama gave her instructions to meditate in a cave present in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu. He instructed her to set up an Ashram at the base of the mountains. He also gave her a bow and an arrow, a lion and a small army of monkeys for her protection.

Legend of Mata Vaishnavi and Bhairavnath

A devotee of Mata Vaishnodevi, Sridhar organized a Bhandara (Community meal) in which the villagers and Mahayogi Guru GorakshNathJi along with all his followers including Bhairavnath were sent invitations as per the goddess’s wishes. Guru Gorakshnath visited the Bhandara along with his 300 disciples including Bhairavnath.

Goddess Vaishno surprised Bhairavnath with her powers. And then he wanted to test her powers. For this, he took Shiv Avatar Guru GorakshNathJi’s permission. However, Guru Gorakshnath did not recommend it but he let Bhairavnath go ahead with his plans.

Guru Gorakshnath and all his disciples enjoyed pure vaishnav food and went off. But Bhairavnath stayed back to test her powers. Then he attempted to grab Mata Vaishnodevi and she tried her best to daunt him. On failing to do so, Mata Vaishno decided to flee away into the mountains to continue her Tapasaya undisturbed. But BhairavNath chased her to her destination.

Vaishno Devi halted at Charan Paduka, Banganga, and Adhkuwari, but she observed much to her distaste that Bhairav Nath followed her everywhere. Finally, she lost her patience and beheaded him outside the holy cave. The head of Bhairon Nath fell 1.5 km away and the site became popular as Bhairon Nath Temple today.

His soul repented the incident and asked for forgiveness from the Goddess. The Goddess forgave him and granted him the boon that the devotees will have to pay a visit to Bhairav Nath’s shrine to complete her pilgrimage.

Beliefs say that the Goddess then shed her human form and took the form of a rock to continue uninterrupted meditation.

Legend of Shridhar Pandit and Mata Vaishno Devi

The cave was unknown until about 700 years ago. In a village named Hansali, near the Trikuta Mountains, lived a Brahmin Pandit named Shridhar. He was a loyal devotee of Goddess Shakti. Goddess Shakti was happy with his devotion and gave him darshan in the form of a Kanya (young girl).

Then on her request, Shridhar invited all the villagers to his humble abode for a Bhandara (a feast of food). But seeing the crowd for the Bhandara increase Shridhar was afraid if he could accommodate them all inside his hut. Also, he worried about the food availability for all his guests.

Miraculously, the girl that gave him darshan appeared and created abundant food and space so as to fulfil everyone’s hunger.

After the Bhandara, Shridhar wanted to thank the girl but she disappeared. Hence, he spent several sleepless nights. Eventually, the Goddess gave him darshan in his dreams directing him to proceed towards the cave that was her abode.

He followed the directions that he got in his dreams and eventually discovered the cave. According to the beliefs all the three Goddesses, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Saraswati gave him darshan there.

Other Legends related to Vaishno Devi

Legends of Vaishno Devi
These three spots in the pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi have significant legends associated with them
  • The trek to the Bhawan begins at the Darshani Darwaza. As per beliefs, Mata Vaishno Devi met Pandit Sridhar in a child’s form right at this spot. One can also get a complete view of the Trikuta Mountain range from the Darwaza.
  • The legend of Banganga states that Goddess Vaishno Devi created the River by shooting an arrow in the ground. Hence, the name “Ban” meaning Arrow in Hindi and Ganga signifying the holy River Ganga. Creation of Banganga was to quench the thirst of a langoor called Veer who accompanied her to the holy cave.
  • The legend of the Charan Paduka states that it is where the Goddess Vaishno turned to check whether Bhairav Nath was following her or not. Her footprints got engraved on a stone at the location and are worshipped since then.
  • The Adhkuwari cave is a place where Goddess Vaishno did meditation and observed a penance devoted to Lord Shiva for nine months. This cave was womb-like in shape and hence became popular as Garbha Joon. During the meditation, she realized the presence of Bhairav Nath and created an exit route from the back of the cave with a Trishul. Devotees can still visit the cave and the Garbha Joon.

Dress Code in Vaishno Devi Temple

  • The Bhawan or the Holy Cave is 13 km away from Katra at an altitude of 5200 meters. Minimum temperatures of this region vary from -2 to 15 degree Celsius throughout the year. Hence, the region faces chilly winters almost throughout the whole year. Hence, devotees should dress in warm clothes. Jackets, scarves, socks, and shawls are a must. If travelling with children old people then take special care should be taken regarding their winter tolerance.
  • Months of December and January face heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of the mountains. Hence, blankets and proper shoes are highly advisable.
  • Also, one must carry a raincoat, especially during monsoons and winters. Walking sticks are helpful for the occasional steep climb. And devotees can avail them from the shops lining along the walking track.

Festivals celebrated at Vaishno Devi Temple

  • Navaratri – This festival dedicated to the Mother Goddess Shakti calls for a celebration at the Bhawan with great excitement and religious fever. The festivities continue for nine days. The first three days are dedicated to Durga or Kali who signifies the destruction of evil. The next three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. The last three days are dedicated to the Goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. During this time the entire city of Katra is cleaned and decorated. Lightings of the main Vaishno Devi Complex and surrounding temples are done during Navratri. The Shobha Yatra of the Goddess is held during these nine days. Several cultural events like devotional singing competitions are held. The priests also conduct religious discourses throughout the nine days.
  • Besides Navaratri, Deepavali, Ram Navami, and Mahashivratri also call for a celebration here with great enthusiasm.

How to reach Katra?

How to reach Vaishno Devi Temple
Devotees can also take Helicopter rides to reach the holy destination
  • By Air – The nearest airport to the temple is the Jammu domestic airport. It is 75 km away from the temple. There are regular flights by several private airlines including Air India from cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai to Jammu.
  • By Train – The Katra railway station was built for travellers in 2014. The station is titled ‘Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra’ and the IRCTC code for it is SVDK. This station is 18.9 km away from the temple. There are trains from all major cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Mangalore, and Kalka to SVDK.
  • By Road – Katra lies 50 km away from Jammu city. There are several luxury bus operators running regular buses between Jammu and Katra. Devotees can hire private taxies at reasonable costs. However, one can hire them outside Jammu Railway Station or the Airport.
  • The trek to the Vaishno Devi shrine begins at the Banganga Checkpost in Katra. It is a journey of about 13 km to the Bhawan at the top. Devotees can take the journey n foot, on horses, on palki (palanquin) and in a helicopter.
  • Notably, the helicopter services should be booked 60 days in advance. However, the booking can also be made at the Jagjivan Ghat near the Katra Bus Stand. Nevertheless, there are limitations to these services. And they are also subjected to cancellation due to climatic changes. Online bookings of the ticket are advised as they are subjected to easy cancellation.

Related Videos With Vaishno Devi Mandir

Obtaining “Yatra Parchi” or a “Travel Slip” at the Yatra Registration Counter near the Katra Bus Stand is a must for on-foot travellers. One can also do the booking of the slip on the temple website.

Where to stay?

  • The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board overlooks the maintenance of several guest houses and Dhams located in Jammu, Katra, Adkuwari, Sanjichhat and Bhawan. Online bookings of clean and well-maintained rooms can be made via the official website of the Board. There are 3 Dhams operated by the Board in Jammu named Vaishnavi Dham, Saraswati Dham, and the Kalika Dham. Four options namely Niharika, Shakti Bhawan, Trikuta Bhawan and the Aashirwad Bhawan can be booked at Katra. The Main Bhawan provides options of both double bedded rooms as well as dormitories. One must make the bookings at least 60 days in advance. And these bookings are non-refundable.
  • Besides these options, several halls have been built for the pilgrims to take rest before heading for darshan. Blankets and medical aid are also provided here.

Where to eat?

  • Temple administration runs Bhojanalaya services both in the Main Bhawan and the Manokamana Bhawan Complex. The Bhojanalaya services are on the basis of no profit-making. Hence, they are cheap and affordable. Moreover, the food here is pure vegetarian and hygienic. Other than traditional food, pilgrims can avail mineral water, hot and cold beverages as well as milk at a fixed and nominal price.

Nearby Temples

  • Bhairon Nath Temple – This temple is 2 km away from the Main Bhawan that houses the holy cave. The temple is a dedication to Bhairon Nath. Legend says that Bhairon Nath’s head fell at this spot after Vaishno Devi beheaded him.
  • Raghunath Temple – This famous Temple holds the title of the largest Temple Complexes in India. It consists of seven individual shrines each of which has its own Shikhara or Tower. The Temple was built in 1860 by Maharaja Gulab Singh. And it is a dedication to Lord Rama.
  • Ranbireshwar Temple – This temple shelters the biggest Linga of Lord Shiva. Moreover, the Linga is 8 feet tall and is made out of black shining stone. One can also view twelve Shiva Lingas made of crystal enshrined in this temple.

Other famous temples in Jammu and Kashmir are:

  • Hemis Monastery: Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery was re-established by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgya, in 1672. The monastery is situated 45 km from Leh City, Hemis. It is present on a mountain on the west bank of the River Indus.

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