10 Pristine Tourist Places Near Vaishno Devi Tour

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Vaishno Devi Mandir, as everybody knows, is a sacred pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. The presiding deity of the shrine is Goddess Vaishno, a manifestation of Goddess Durga. It is said that the shrine of Vaishno Devi dates back more than 700 years ago. Each year, thousands of devotees throng to this sacred site to offer their prayers to Mata Rani. Every Hindu hankers to bow his head in front of the Divine Goddess once in a lifetime.

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Vaishno Devi is a frequented pious temple town located in Katra (Jammu). This town is a religious trekking destination that has a well-established connection of the roadways, railways, and airways. Once landed on the sacred soil of Vaishno Devi, only after the call of the Divine Mother, the trip begins to the holy shrine begins. The 13 km long journey towards the holy shrine is full of zest because all the ardent devotees keep chanting the jaikaras to boost the motivation of all.

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Goddess Durga is worshiped in 9 different forms in Hinduism. Nau Devi Temple is a well-known temple in Katra and is dedicated to the 9 forms of the divine power. More than 200 years old, Nau Devi Temple is said to be the place with the 9 faces of the Goddess in the form of pindies and has her real footprints. Being a renowned shrine, it is festooned exquisitely during Navratri. Devotees visit Nau Devi Temple after visiting Vaishno Devi Mandir.

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Bagh-E-Bahu is a beauteous garden situated in the city of Jammu. This garden sits near the river Tawi and is blest with emerald green surroundings, colorful flowers, a vast green carpet of the grass, and a fountain. This garden is an apt place to enjoy some time and reinvigorate the lost energy. You just need to pay a fee of rupees 5 before entering the garden. Apart from the garden, the aquarium and the fort of Bahu are the prime attractions that are visited by many.

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Though Vaishno Devi is an eminent Hindu shrine, it isn't constrained till the temple. There are different places around Vaishno Devi that can be visited as well. One must-visit destination in Vaishno Devi is Sanasar Lake. Surrounded with hillocks and endowed with an ethereal ambiance, Sanasar Lake is a bewitching spot that you shouldn't miss during your Vaishno Devi tour. At this point, you can relish the venture of parasailing, bungee jumping, hot air ballooning etc.

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Dera Baba Banda is a famous Gurudwara in Katra. It stands on the banks of the river Chenab and is counted amid the oldest Gurudwaras in the country. Dera Baba Banda Gurudwara is the resting place of Banda Singh Bahadur. His ashes are kept in this Gurudwara along with the arrow that was gifted to him by Shri Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhs. This sacred site welcomes the devotees from all religions and offers langar on an extensive scale.

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Bahu Fort is a jaw-dropping grandeur. This fort was erected 3000 years back during the reign of Maharajah Bahu Lochan. After his death, this fort came under the control of the King Gulab Singh in the 19th century. He used his treasury to refurbish the temple. It is also said that the present-day Mahakali temple located inside the fort was built during his reign as it doesn't resemble the ancient architecture. Till date, Bahu Fort has not lost the charm to lure visitors.

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Mahamaya Temple is another temple in Katra. Though the name might tell that it is a shrine housing a manifestation of Goddess Durga, it is a temple dedicated to a local freedom fighter. Mahamaya, a brave lady, was a freedom fighter in the foregone era and raised her voice against the foreign invasions in the region of Jammu. In the recent years, the idol of Goddess Mahamaya has been installed. Hundreds of devotees swarm to Mahamaya Temple throughout the year.

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Constructed by Maharajah Ranbir Singh in the 18th century, Ranbireshwar Temple is a famous Hindu temple in the city of Jammu. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known as the largest temple in the whole Northern India. It is an iconic marvel that is built in the Hindu style of architecture. The hall of the temple houses 11 shivlingas. The intricately carved rich interiors of Ranbireshwar Temple are adorned with the pictures of Lord Shiva & Parvati and other Hindu religious figurines.

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Agar Jitoo is a well-known shrine located 8 kilometers from Katra. Untouched from urbanization, it is a calm place that has witnessed the miracles performed by Mother Goddess. It is said that Agar Jitoo was an ardent follower of Goddess Durga and served her daily in the temple. Pleased by his devotion, the Goddess appeared in front of him, granted a boon, and decided to live with him as his daughter.

And here, the tour of Vaishno Devi takes the final full stop. In last few decades a lot of developments are done by Vaishno Devi Shrine Board owning to which yatra has become lot easier for the devotees. Aoart from the main temple in the caves of Goddess Durga, there are more places that are thronged on an during trip to Katra. So, now you can relish your next Vaishno Devi tour at different places.