Significance:
Devotees aver that the revered Mata
calls out to her followers, and only then can one go to her sublime
shrine. An arduous journey up the Trikuta Mountain range and the final
darshan (audience) of the Goddess leaves one with staunch faith in Her. It
is believed that one can ask the great Mother of any needful thing and
promise to visit her when the wish is fulfilled. Lakhs of people vouch for
the deity's graciousness and visit the shrine in the form of thanksgiving.
Ideal Time For Visit:
Although the Vaishno Devi shrine
can be visited throughout the year, the pilgrimage is generally undertaken
by the devotees in the severe cold months of the year, i.e., from October
to February. During the festival of Navaratri, thousands of diehard
followers from all over the country and even abroad line up the long
mountain roads to worship the deity. Navaratri is the biggest festival in
honor of the Goddess and people have to stand in lines for hours to have
the darshan.