Pilgrimage Tours

2222222Guarded on either side by the two mountains Nar and Narayan, the Neelkanth Peak provides a splendid backdrop to Badrinath, one of the ‘Four Dhams’. One of the most celebrated pilgrim spots in the country, it plays host to the famous Badrinath Temple. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to the area, called ‘Badri Van’, or the berry garden, to meditate after Narad rebuked the Lord for being immersed in worldly pleasures. The main deity is a meditating Lord Vishnu.
ssssFacing the temple at the bank of Alaknanda River is a hot water spring known as "Tapt Kund", a bath in which is very refreshing to all travellers. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri Badrinathji, is 5 m high, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire. The temple opens every year in the month of April-May and closes for winters in the third week of November. Even though legend dates the temple back to the Vedic age, Guru Adi Shankaracharya has established the present temple. The temple has three parts - Garbha Grih (The Sanctum Sanctorum), Darshan Mandap (for pujas) and Sabha Mandap (for devotees to assemble).

Haridwar

2222222Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttaranchal. It’s also your starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the rivers Ganga and the Yamuna. According to legend, Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to sage Kapil’s curse. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King Sagara. In the tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their ancestors.

Fairs and Festivals at Haridwar

Ardh Kumbh and Kumbh Mela

22222The Ardh Kumbh is held every six years and then after six years Kumbh Mela is held. It is said that a holy dip in the river Ganges during the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh gives you Moksha or Nirvana. People gather in huge numbers to take the holy dip during these holy days. There are saints, naga sadhus, politicians, almost every one is there. The city is overflowing with people. If going to Haridwar during the Kubh or Ardh Kumbh then avoid the over crowded ghats. Every time there are reports of stampedes and the various factions or akharas of sadhus clash with each other. Ensure your accommodation well in advance if going during the Kumbh

Kanvad Mela

2222222Ten days before Shivteras (during the months of Shravan and Phagun) thousands of devotees throng to Haridwar to collect holy waters of the river Ganga. Then they carry it back to their hometown and offer it at the local Shiv temple. Colourful shops spring up and Haridwar resounds to the chanting of hymns.

Info Centre - Haridwar

Regional Tourist Office, Haridwar, Uttaranchal, India.
Tel.: +(91)-133-4227370.

Tourist Bureau, Laltarao Bridge, Haridwar, Uttaranchal, India.
Tel.: +(91)-133-4424240.

Tourist Information Centre, Railway Station, Haridwar, Uttaranchal, India.
Tel.: +(91)-133-4227817.

Katra

2222222Katra Town, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains, 48 kms. from Jammu, serves as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid footpath. Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass through Katra on their way to the holy shrine. The cave shrine of Mata Vasihnodeviji or Trikuta Bhagwati (alt: 5,200 ft.) has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions of devotees from all over the world. The pilgrimage to the Shrine holds great significance for the pilgrims.

How to reach
2222Jammu, 48 kms from Katra, is the nearest airport, railhead and inter-state bus terminus. Buses leave for Katra at 10 minute intervals between 5:30 a.m and 8:30 p.m. During peak season, additional buses are pressed into service.

When to go
2222The best time to travel Katra is between July & March.

What to see
2222Aghar Jitto - Just 5 km away from Katra is Aghar Jitto, the Shrine of Baba Jitto, a devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and a revolutionary who led a campaign against the feudal order. According to legends, a dip in the holy spring water, flowing in front of the shrine, does miracles to pre-natal women for safe delivery of children. A path from here leads to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.

2222Dera Baba Banda - At about 30 kms from Katra lies this major Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda Bairaagi was Guru Gobind Singh's favourite 'Saint-soldier', who had the gurudwara constructed on the banks of river Chenab, where he spent his last days.

2222Baba Dhansar - Located 10 kms from Katra (1 km on foot) is Baba Dhansar, a beautiful and nice spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before flowing into the holy Banganga. Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed ‘Shivling’ on which droplets of water fall naturally all the year round. A major ‘mela’ (fair) is held here during Shivratri.

2222Shiv Khori - This holy cave is nearly a kilometre long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed ‘Shivling’. It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. There are stalactites & stalagmites dripping milky limestone water from the ceiling. Situated at a distance of about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms from Katra, Shiv Khori hosts a major fair on Shivratri day every year.

Where to eat
2222There are few good restaurants which serves delicious vegetarian food.