So Many Things To Do There

With all the travel arrangements in place and Amritsar stay booked, we shifted our attention to our Vaishnodevi- Jammu plan. The Vaishnodevi shrine board has a website www.maavaishnodevi.org. We realized that this is the best site for all our requirements. It is mandatory to register to visit the shrine. It can be done on Internet. Doing it on net has an advantage.  This registration slip is called "yatra parchi". If one registers after reaching Katra then you must pass the first entry gate in stipulated time. No such restrictions are on registration done through Internet. We purchased a "yatra parchi" for 16th March. Now it was a turn of helicopter booking. Regular helicopter service is available from Katra to Sajichat near the shrine. We booked tickets for 11.00 am chopper. The idea behind booking such a late flight was if the train gets delayed then we shall not miss it. Distance from Katra railway station to helipad is about 3 kms. We even thought about a situation of time needed to walk down, if not getting any auto or cab to travel that distance. The shrine board has many paid rooms and dormitories built for the benefit of pilgrims. They are at Jammu, Katra, Adhkuwari, Sajichat and Bhawan on the way to shrine. As the helipad is at Sajichat on the hills we have booked a room at Sajichat.  At Rs. 700/- a night it was a very good bargain for a AC room. We only had a laugh at our booking of AC room at the height of 7200 feet above sea level. Aha, we are equipped with all the travel and stay arrangements.

Now it was time for more detailed planning about how to spend the time available with us in the trip. We thought of visiting Rajghat (memorial of Mahatma Gandhi), India Gate (war memorial near Rajghat) in Delhi. Then relish North Indian delicacies at Kake da Hotel in nearby Connaught Place.From there catch a train to Katra at New Delhi railway station. Once at Katra only one objective was there. Visit the shrine and take "Darshan" of "Maa Vaishnodevi". Post this reach Jammu on 17th by noon and visit some of the ancient temples (Raghunath Temple, Kedareshwar etc) in Jammu. Jammu and Katra both have good markets and of course they were part of our itinerary. Now one question came in mind. Where do we spend night at Jammu? Shrine board website solved this issue too. Near Jammu railway station shrine board has various accommodations viz. Vaishnavi Dham, Kalika Dham and Saraswati Dham near Railway Station. We booked a room at Saraswati Dham. All the accommodations provided by shrine board are very economical and very well maintained. Once in Amritsar I never miss a visit to Golden Temple. It is a very pious, religious place. I have always experienced a peace of  mind and soul at Golden Temple. We decided to visit Golden Temple both after sun set on the first day and after sunrise on the second day of our Amritsar stay, We also decided to visit Durgiyana Temple, Jallianwala Bagh. Amritsar is also known for it's markets. Katra Ahluwalia, Shastri Market and others are the places to empty your wallets. A visit Atari border is a must for the flag lowering ceremony held before sunset every day. Amritsar stay is never complete without indulging in the wonderful cuisine served in hotels and roadside eateries. 

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