Story of Shree-Dhar
With the passage of time many more stories about the Mother Goddess emerged. One such story is about Shree-Dhar.
Shree-Dhar was an ardent devotee of Ma Vaishno Devi. He resided in a village called Hansali, 2 km from the present Katra town. Once Ma appeared to him in the form of a bewitching girl. The girl asked the humble Pandit to hold a 'Bhandara' (a feast to feed the mendicants and devotees). The Pandit set out to invite people from the village and nearby places. He also invited 'Bhairav Nath', a selfish tantrik. Bhairav Nath asked Shri-Dhar how he was planning to fulfill the requirements. He reminded him of the bad consequences in case of failure. As Panditji was lost in worry, the Divine girl appeared and told Him not to be despondent as everything had been arranged. She asked that over 360 devotees be seated in the small hut. True to Her word the Bhandara went smoothly with food and place to spare.
Bhairav Nath admitted that the girl had supernatural powers and decided to test Her further. He followed the Divine girl to Trikuta Hills. For nine months Bhairav Nath was searching for the mystic girl in the mountains, who he believed was an incarnation of the Mother Goddess. While running away from Bhairav, Devi shot an arrow into the Earth from which water gushed out. The resultant river is known as Baanganga. It is believed that by taking a bath in Baanganga (baan: arrow), a believer of the Mother Goddess can wash away all his sins. The banks of the river, known as Charan Paduka, are marked by Devi's foot imprints, which remain intact till date. Vaishno Devi then took shelter in a cave known as Garbh Joon near Adhkawari where she meditated for nine months attaining spiritual wisdom and powers. Her meditation was cut short when Bhairav located her. Vaishno Devi was then compelled to take the form of Maha Kali when Bhairav tried to kill her. The manifestation of the Mother Goddess took place at the mouth of the Holy cave at Darbar. The Goddess then beheaded Bhairav with such sheer force that his skull fell at a place known as Bhairav Ghati, 2.5 km from the Holy Cave.
In his dying moments, Bhairav pleaded for forgiveness. The Goddess knew that Bhairav's main intention in attacking her was to achieve salvation. She granted Bhairav liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and granted him a boon, whereby every devotee, to ensure completion of the pilgrimage, had to visit Bhairav Nath's temple near the Holy cave after the darshan of the Goddess. Meanwhile Vaishno Devi assumed the shape of a rock with three pindis (heads) and immersed herself into meditation forever.
Meanwhile, Pandit Shree-Dhar became impatient. He started to march towards Trikuta Mountain on the same path that he had witnessed in a dream. He ultimately reached the cave mouth. He made a daily routine of worshiping the ')|pindis' in several ways. His worship pleased the Goddess. She appeared in front of him and blessed him. Since that day, Shree-Dhar and his descendants have been worshiping the Goddess Mother Vaishno Devi
Hindu temple
Vaishno Devi Temple is near the town of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir; in the Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most revered places of worship in India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5300 feet and a distance of approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Katra.[3] Approximately 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year[4] and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine. A rail link from Udhampur to Katra is recently completed to facilitate pilgrimage. The nearest airport is Jammu Airport which has very high flight frequency, and is served by all leading domestic airlines.
The Vaishno Devi Maa Shrine as a Shakti Peeth
Main articles: Daksha Yaga and Shakti Peethas
Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi
The shrine is worshiped as a Shakti Peetha which believes its association towards the mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation as its origin. Shakti Peethas are shrines enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered throughout in sorrow. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit
Access
Maa Vaishno Devi temple can be reached from Katra. Katra is a small but bustling town around 45 km. from Jammu. From Katra, after getting the 'Yatra Parchi' (Journey Slip) for darshan, devotees can proceed to the Bhavan.
The way to Bhavan is steep and requires a long walk uphill. Alternatively ponies and palanquins are also available. Helicopter service can also be taken for a large part of the trip. The Trust offers comfortable stay for pilgrims.
Indian Railways will start rail services up to Katra from July 1st 2013. They are in communication with the Jammu and Kashmir Government to integrate permit slips for Vaishno Devi Darshan with the train ticket. The passenger can get permit slips while booking the train ticket
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108 Names of Maa Vaishno Devi
108 Names of Maa Vaishno Devi
Name :- Meaning
1) Aadyaa :- The Initial reality
2) Aaryaa :- Goddess
3) Abhavya :- Improper or fear-causing
4) Agni Jwalaa :- One who is poignant like fire
5) Ahankaara :- One with Pride
6) Ameva :- One who is beyond measure
7) Ananta :- The Infinite
8) Anantaa :- One who is Infinite or beyond measure
9) Anek Shastra Hastaa :- Possessor of many hand weapons
10) Anek Varnaa :- One who has many complexions
11) Anekaastraa Dhaarini :- Possessor of many missile weapons
12) Aparnaa :- One who doesnt eat even leaves while fasting
13) Apraudha :- One who never gets old
14) Bahul Prema :- One who is loved by all
15) Bahulaa :- One who is in various forms
16) Balpradaa :- The bestower of strength
17) Bhaavini :- The abode of the universe
18) Bhaavya :- Represents Future
19) Bhandrakaali :- Fierce form of Kali
20) Bhav Preeta :- One who is loved by the universe
21) Bhavmochani :- The absolver of the universe
22) Bhavya :- With Magnificence
23) Bhootanushruta :- well-wisher of Bhootaganas
24) Buddhidaa :- The bestower of wisdom
25) Braahmi :- Power of God Brahma
26) Brahm Vaadini :- One who is present everywhere
27) Buddhi :- Intelligence
28) Chaamundaa :- Slayer of Chanda and Munda(demons)
29) Chanda Munda Vinaashini :- Destroyer of the ferocious asuras Chanda and Munda
30) Chandra Ghantaa :- One who has mighty bells
31) Chitaa :- Death-bed
32) Chitti :- The thinking mind
33) Chintaa :- Tension
34) Chitraa :- One who is present everywhere
35) Chittaroopaa :- One who is in thought-state
36) Daksha Kanyaa :- Daughter of Daksha
37) Daksha Yagya Vinaashini :- Interrupter of the sacrifice of Daksha
38) Devmaata :- Mother Goddess
39) Durga :- The Invincible
40) Devi :- the deyti
41) Ek Kanya :- The girl child
42) Ghor Rupaa :- Having a fierce outlook
43) Gyaanaa :- Full of Knowledge
44) Jaloordari :- Abode of the ethereal universe
45) Jayaa :- The Victorious
46) Kaal Ratri :- Goddess who is black like night
47) Katyayani :- One who is worshipped by sage Katyanan
48) Kaishori :- The adolescent
49) Kalamanjini :- Wearing a musical anklet
50) Karaali :- The Violent
51) Kaumaari :- The adolescent
52) Kriyaa :- One who is in action
53) Krooraa :- Brutal (on demons)
54) Kumari :- The beautiful adolescent
55) Lakshmi :- Goddess of Wealth
56) Maaheshwari :- Power of Lord Mahesha (Shiva)
57) Maatangi :- Goddess of Matanga
58) Madhu Kaitabh Hantari :- Slayer of the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha
59) Mahaabalaa :- Having immense strength
60) Mahaatapa :- With severe penance
61) Mahishasur Mardini :- Slayer of the bull-demon Mahishaasura
62) Mahodari :- One who has huge belly which stores the universe
63) Man :- Mind
64) Matangmuni Pujita :- Worshipped by Sage Matanga
65) Muktakeshi :- One who has open tresses
66) Naarayani :- The destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)
67) Nishumbha Shumbha Hanini :- Slayer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
68) Nityaa :- The eternal one
69) Omsati :- One who got burned alive
70) Paatlaa :- Red in color
71) Paatlaavati :- Wearing red-color attire
72) Parmeshwari :- The Ultimate Goddess
73) Pattaambar Paridhaana :- Wearing a dress made of leather
74) Pinaak Dharini :- One who holds the trident of Shiva
75) Pratyakshaa :- One who is real
76) Praudah :- One who is old
77) Purusha Kriti :- One who takes the form of a man
78) Ratna Priyaa :- Adorned or loved by jewels
79) Raudramukhi :- One who has a fierce face like destroyer Rudra
80) Saadhavi :- The Sanguine
81) Saavitri :- Daughter of the Sun God Savitr
82) Sadagati :- Always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)
83) Sarsundari :- Extremely Beautiful
84) Sarva Asur Vinaashaa :- Destroyer of all demons
85) Sarva Shaastramavi :- One who is deft in all theories
86) Sarva Vaahan Vaahanaa :- One who rides all vehicles
87) Sarva Daanav Ghaatini :- Possessing the power to kill all the demons
88) Sarvamantramavi :- One who possess all the instruments of thought
89) Sarvvidyaa :- Knowledgeable
90) Satananda Swaroopini :- Form of Eternal bliss
91) Satta :- One who is above all
92) Satya :- The truth
93) Shaambhavi :- Consort of Shambhu
94) Shiv Dooti :- Ambassador of Lord Shiva
95) Shooldharini :- One who holds a monodent
96) Sundari :- The Gorgeous
97) Sarvaastradhaarini :- Possessor of all the missile weapons
98) Tapasvini :- one who is engaged in penance
99) Trinetraa :- One who has three-eyes
100) Varaahi :- One who rides on Varaah
101) Varahini :- One who rides on Varaah
102) Vaishnavi :- The invincible
103) Van Durga :- Goddess of forests
104) Vimla :- One who provides joy
105) Vishnu Maaya :- Spell of Lord Vishnu
106) Vriddhmaata :- The old mother (loosely)
107) Yati :- Ascetic, one who renounces the world
108)Yuvati :- The Woman
Name :- Meaning
1) Aadyaa :- The Initial reality
2) Aaryaa :- Goddess
3) Abhavya :- Improper or fear-causing
4) Agni Jwalaa :- One who is poignant like fire
5) Ahankaara :- One with Pride
6) Ameva :- One who is beyond measure
7) Ananta :- The Infinite
8) Anantaa :- One who is Infinite or beyond measure
9) Anek Shastra Hastaa :- Possessor of many hand weapons
10) Anek Varnaa :- One who has many complexions
11) Anekaastraa Dhaarini :- Possessor of many missile weapons
12) Aparnaa :- One who doesnt eat even leaves while fasting
13) Apraudha :- One who never gets old
14) Bahul Prema :- One who is loved by all
15) Bahulaa :- One who is in various forms
16) Balpradaa :- The bestower of strength
17) Bhaavini :- The abode of the universe
18) Bhaavya :- Represents Future
19) Bhandrakaali :- Fierce form of Kali
20) Bhav Preeta :- One who is loved by the universe
21) Bhavmochani :- The absolver of the universe
22) Bhavya :- With Magnificence
23) Bhootanushruta :- well-wisher of Bhootaganas
24) Buddhidaa :- The bestower of wisdom
25) Braahmi :- Power of God Brahma
26) Brahm Vaadini :- One who is present everywhere
27) Buddhi :- Intelligence
28) Chaamundaa :- Slayer of Chanda and Munda(demons)
29) Chanda Munda Vinaashini :- Destroyer of the ferocious asuras Chanda and Munda
30) Chandra Ghantaa :- One who has mighty bells
31) Chitaa :- Death-bed
32) Chitti :- The thinking mind
33) Chintaa :- Tension
34) Chitraa :- One who is present everywhere
35) Chittaroopaa :- One who is in thought-state
36) Daksha Kanyaa :- Daughter of Daksha
37) Daksha Yagya Vinaashini :- Interrupter of the sacrifice of Daksha
38) Devmaata :- Mother Goddess
39) Durga :- The Invincible
40) Devi :- the deyti
41) Ek Kanya :- The girl child
42) Ghor Rupaa :- Having a fierce outlook
43) Gyaanaa :- Full of Knowledge
44) Jaloordari :- Abode of the ethereal universe
45) Jayaa :- The Victorious
46) Kaal Ratri :- Goddess who is black like night
47) Katyayani :- One who is worshipped by sage Katyanan
48) Kaishori :- The adolescent
49) Kalamanjini :- Wearing a musical anklet
50) Karaali :- The Violent
51) Kaumaari :- The adolescent
52) Kriyaa :- One who is in action
53) Krooraa :- Brutal (on demons)
54) Kumari :- The beautiful adolescent
55) Lakshmi :- Goddess of Wealth
56) Maaheshwari :- Power of Lord Mahesha (Shiva)
57) Maatangi :- Goddess of Matanga
58) Madhu Kaitabh Hantari :- Slayer of the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha
59) Mahaabalaa :- Having immense strength
60) Mahaatapa :- With severe penance
61) Mahishasur Mardini :- Slayer of the bull-demon Mahishaasura
62) Mahodari :- One who has huge belly which stores the universe
63) Man :- Mind
64) Matangmuni Pujita :- Worshipped by Sage Matanga
65) Muktakeshi :- One who has open tresses
66) Naarayani :- The destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)
67) Nishumbha Shumbha Hanini :- Slayer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
68) Nityaa :- The eternal one
69) Omsati :- One who got burned alive
70) Paatlaa :- Red in color
71) Paatlaavati :- Wearing red-color attire
72) Parmeshwari :- The Ultimate Goddess
73) Pattaambar Paridhaana :- Wearing a dress made of leather
74) Pinaak Dharini :- One who holds the trident of Shiva
75) Pratyakshaa :- One who is real
76) Praudah :- One who is old
77) Purusha Kriti :- One who takes the form of a man
78) Ratna Priyaa :- Adorned or loved by jewels
79) Raudramukhi :- One who has a fierce face like destroyer Rudra
80) Saadhavi :- The Sanguine
81) Saavitri :- Daughter of the Sun God Savitr
82) Sadagati :- Always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)
83) Sarsundari :- Extremely Beautiful
84) Sarva Asur Vinaashaa :- Destroyer of all demons
85) Sarva Shaastramavi :- One who is deft in all theories
86) Sarva Vaahan Vaahanaa :- One who rides all vehicles
87) Sarva Daanav Ghaatini :- Possessing the power to kill all the demons
88) Sarvamantramavi :- One who possess all the instruments of thought
89) Sarvvidyaa :- Knowledgeable
90) Satananda Swaroopini :- Form of Eternal bliss
91) Satta :- One who is above all
92) Satya :- The truth
93) Shaambhavi :- Consort of Shambhu
94) Shiv Dooti :- Ambassador of Lord Shiva
95) Shooldharini :- One who holds a monodent
96) Sundari :- The Gorgeous
97) Sarvaastradhaarini :- Possessor of all the missile weapons
98) Tapasvini :- one who is engaged in penance
99) Trinetraa :- One who has three-eyes
100) Varaahi :- One who rides on Varaah
101) Varahini :- One who rides on Varaah
102) Vaishnavi :- The invincible
103) Van Durga :- Goddess of forests
104) Vimla :- One who provides joy
105) Vishnu Maaya :- Spell of Lord Vishnu
106) Vriddhmaata :- The old mother (loosely)
107) Yati :- Ascetic, one who renounces the world
108)Yuvati :- The Woman
