Via Hathimattha

Adhkuwari is virtually half way through to Vaishnodevi Mata cave. There is a temple of "Eternal Virgin" form of goddess. We took darshan of Adkuwari ie we prayed at Adkuwari temple. We took some rest there, before proceeding further. From here two roads lead to Bhavan. Bhavan is a place of Vaishnodevi Mata's Cave. One road is a new road from Himkoti which goes directly to Bhavan. It is about six kilometers to cave temple by this road. Now most of the devotees use the new road. Other road is old road from Sajichat. to Bhavan. Old road has much lesser facilities and is very steep. It is much longer as It is 5 kilometers to Sajichat and 3 kilometers ahead to Bhavan. As our booking was at Sajichat we were having only option. It was to take old road. Our climb restarted. It was past 6 pm, darkness was setting fast. As such there was poor light through out the day due to clouds. The no of devotees on this road were negligible. We saw some of them climbing down after visiting Bhaironath Temple. Devotees generally visit Bhaironath temple after darshan (visit) of Vaishnodevi Mata Cave. On this road the gradient is very high. Hence the road looks like forehead of elephant. Hence this part is called Hathimattha. There is no eatery, Tea Stall or washroom facility on this road till Sajichat. Steepness was being felt. For first 15 minutes Neha was taking rest after about 150 footsteps, But later it came down to almost 30 steps. It was getting worried due to this, as in next one hour we covered only a kilometer.

On one of the bend we found benches under a shade. I decided to sit there and take rest. Neha was reluctant and wanted to continue walking. I was surprised with her enthusiasm in this difficult terrain. It was the power of Mata's calling was keeping her going, I felt. I too, started feeling little tired and hungry. We waited there for some time. I had biscuits which we were carrying. Hour hand was firmly past seven. Two horsemen were coming towards that spot. I told Neha, let us take a horse ride to clear this difficult stretch. They agreed to take us to check post kilometer away from sajichat. Horses were allowed only till that check post. Price paid for this horse ride was on a higher side. We paid Rs 1700/- per person. Both of us don't have must experience of riding horse. There was a fear of falling from the horse. Another fear was if horse gets out of control then will be straight in the valley. In less than 20 minutes we covered over 3 kilometers of distance. We got down from horses, hardly a kilometer away from Sajichat.

It was a much need rest to legs and lungs, Rain was not ready to stop and rather it was pouring still. It was very dark now. We decided to take rest at every 100 meter stone. It was over an hour of walking. After a steep bend we saw buildings at a distance of about 150 meters. It was a a feeling beyond expression. We found lot of energy and strength in our legs. Our speed of walking increased. We reached Sajichat after a memorable climb, a lifetime experience.

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