Vaishno Devi On a rainy day

Jai Matadii….

Here is another trip i had in the month of April 2008. Me and my friend Pabitra decided to go Vaishno Devi. For both, it was the 2nd time there. The decision comes, when we recall about a promise in collage days between me and Pabitra to go Vaishno Devi after getting Job. So we planned for the travel. During 1 st week of April, we planned the travel. Booked the tickets in Flights from Hyd to Delhi, then train to Jammu. Both of us started from the office after the lunch, went to airport, 1st time after the new airport inaugurated in March. Close to new Delhi, it was raining continuously, so it took 1 more hr to land the flight. Luckily we got our train even we reached 10 min late from the actual departure time. Next day morning we reached at Jammu, boarded bus to Katra, it took 1.5 hrs to reach.

time when rain stopped..just @beginning

After getting down, we bought Rs.10 rain coats, amazing. We got those as it was raining heavily. After a 1 hr rest at hotel and refresh, we moved out for Darshan. Njoyed some masala paranthas, it was delicious. Wearing the winter jacket and top of to that the rain coat, we started our Journey, got the Army pass at the entrance. Even it was raining and storm alerted, a huge no of devotees were there. It was a total 12.5 KM, we started at 2 PM. We walked on and on with enjoying the bad weather, too cold, even on the way we heard a kid saying to hi father….”Ek banda uddan lagan siii” (One guy was about to fly because of the storm on the top). We njoyed the cloudy mixed scenic view.

on the way..hault as rain stopped

Finally we reached Bhawan at 7, then kept all metal, leather, camera, shoes stuff in side the locker. Here comes the pain, my foot was dead after walking down 1 km on chilled marble floor. We got some snacks, and then queued for the darshan in Army line..but the same time Aarti started. So finally had the darshan at 915pm. Way back, we got the Blanket with Rs.100 deposits…we started with covering completely as it was chilling weather out there. We reached at the entrance at 2 AM. Both were completely bushed, especially our legs after exercised for 24hrs throughout the rain and cold. Got down on the bed, after a nice dinner. Next day morning, we roamed in Katra..and left at 12 for jammu. Got the train to delhi.

Fresh morning after a complete relax, went to Pabitra’s uncle room. The same day we voyage a couple of places in delhi. And next day we got the newly started(on the same day it was inaugurated) Rajdhani express back to Hyderabad. I was completely satisfied with the service of Rajdhani on its day1. Overall, the trip was satisfactory…..and even with all these rain, severe cold, storm i am happy to say Jai matadii. I like the place so much for its divine, sacred and beauty, i am ready to go many times!!!!