Vaishno Devi - The Home of Mata Vaishnavi

A pilgrim spot is a holy place with a religious significance and a special indefinable aura that beckons pious souls from near and far. These places should be visited to refresh and rejuvenate oneself. Now, if you have been looking forward to visiting such a place but are wondering where to go, then, Vaishno Devi located in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, is definitely one of the perfect destinations for you. A trip to Vaishno Devi will surely stir your soul and prove to be a delightful experience.

This holy land is the most revered pilgrim center in India. Throughout the year, it is bustling with large numbers of devotees who throng here from all across the globe. The Vaishno Devi Temple, the second most visited shrine is beautifully snuggled in the arms of the Trikuta hills. This home town of the Mother Goddess is a spiritual heaven on earth. Lofty mountain ranges, spellbinding landscapes and lush greenery all seem to zealously guard the mystique appeal and sacred character of the place. And when, the joyous emotion packed chanting of the three magical words, “Jai Mata Di” rend the mountain air, one can truly experience the zenith of happiness. A pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi temple seems to fulfill all the hankerings of human life, i.e., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Located at an altitude of 5300 feet, the Vaishno Devi Temple is a true delight for the pilgrims and devotees. The way to reach this temple is an arduous, skywards and steep, so you have to reach the way by walking. A special arrangement of ponies, palanquins and helicopter is also there for those who are not comfortable with the arduous route. In addition, to this special arrangement of food and restroom is present throughout the way to reach the shrine of Mata Rani. One can also have a view of frisky monkeys throughout the way.

This holy place is also acknowledged as the Shakti Peeth of Goddess Durga. In this main shrine, one will be blessed with the blessings of the almighty deity in her three Pindies embossed with silver, gold and diamonds. Also, one will be blessed with the glimpses of the Gods and Goddesses like Vakra Tunda Ganesha, Chandra Dev and Surya Dev and many more inside the holy cave of about 98 feet long. You will also be blessed with blessings of Dhadh of Bhairon Nath featuring several heads of the Shesh Nag and five Pandavas, the Brahma, Sapt Rishi, Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati. This cave of Mata Rani is burrowed through crystal clear white marble blocks.

Even though the Vaishno Devi darshan is for their devotees always but yet the best time to visit this shrine is during Navaratri and in the period of October to March. All the devotees and pilgrims have to register themselves before commencing journey to the cave of Mata Rani. Though the journey to this holistic place is one day only but the breathtaking beauty will make you stay even for longer there.

Hill Stations Near Mumbai

Far away from the scorching heat of the grungy city, one can find retreat in the lush green highlands of the hill stations near Mumbai. They are known for their cool and refreshing clime that makes one wait with bated breath. As a part of Mumbai tourism, many of the hill stations offer facilities such as hotels, boating parks, swimming pools, club, ropeways, theatres and museums. Some of the hill stations which attract the tourists are as follows.

Saputara hills
Situated in the Dang district of Gujarat, Satpura is a densely wooded hill station. In the heart of the Saputara valley lies the Saputara lake. Amusements facilities have been provided. Boating is an exotic experience over here. Rose garden in Saputara bestows a show of beautiful roses. The sunset point or the Gandhi Shikhar peak is 1km away from the lake. The forests nursery runs as a part of Mumbai tourism, has a beautiful collection of flowers especially the Hibiscus.

Panchgani hills
Panchgani means the place of five hills. It is one of the renowned hill stations near Mumbai. It is best known for its clean air compared to other hill stations near Mumbai. Some of the attractions worth visiting are Sydney point, Parsi point and Mapro garden. Sydney point is located where the hill faces the Krishna valley. The elite view of Wai village from this place is splendid. Mapro gardens are famous for their strawberries. The garden annually hosts strawberry festivals.

Dapoli hills
Dapoli hills have a long coastline. It is home to various migratory birds and animals. It is also known as the Mahableshwar of Konkan. The Ladghar beach also known as ‘Tamams Theertha’ is a great spot for swimming. Parasailing and water scooters are available as a part of Mumbai tourism.

Karjat hills
The undulated hilly terrains make the Karjat hills the best sought place for trekking. Palasdari dam is an attraction. The farm houses located nearby are beautiful. Kondana caves are rock cut caves that relish the ancient Buddhist architecture. The nature lovers are welcome to sit under the falls and enjoy the natural fresh water massage. It is one of the exotic hill stations near Mumbai.

Sajan hills
It is occupied by candid Marathi families. Palusa falls, Kohoj hill fort and Mahalakshmi temple are some of the attractions. Moho River has a mini dam. A swim along the dam and a picnic along the banks is an inviting option. Tiger caves are famous for their inside carvings.

Lavasa hills
This is a modern hill station. It is a perfect combination of technological and infrastructural facilities. It is the right spot for picnic weekend. Some of the important attractions are Lavasa international Conventional centre, Warasgaon dam, Mulshi Lake, and Tamhini ghat.

Igatpuri hills
Surrounded by the highest peaks in the Sahayadris, it is celestial for trekkers and hikers. Bhatsa river valley, camel valley and Ghatandevi Mandir and Vaitarna dam are some of the attractions. A magnificent temple located here is the Manas temple. It is one of the hill stations near Mumbai where most of the outdoor bollywood movies are shot.