As the sun rises over a holy rive or the sea, the air echoes to the pilgrims' chant of mantras. As enternal dawn ritual asking for the benediction of the Gods.

Discover the ancient roots of Hinduism in these age-old cities. Where religion is more than an act of worship; it is a way of life. Celebrating one of the oldest living religions of the world.

At Prayag, take a dip at the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers; while Varanasi is a city that sings out its prayers to Lord Shiva.

From the tumultuous sea of Puri and Konark, the pilgrims wend their way to the Jagannath Temple and the exquisite Sun Temple.

On this pilgrimage, discover yourself and the peace deep within you.

Prayag is now known as Allahabad. Legends say this is the site of a famous sacrifice to Lord Brahma. It is the confluence (Sangam) of two of India's holiest rivers - the Ganga and Yamuna, and a mythical third called Saraswati. The site of the unforgettable Kumbh Mela, a dip at the Sangam frees a Hindu from the relentless cycle of births and deaths.

Climate : Summer (Mar to Jun) : Warm

Monsoon (Jul to Aug) : Warm

Winter (Nov to Feb) : Cool and pleasant

Clothing : Summer - Cottons

Winter - Woollens

Air links to Delhi, Patna. Allahabad is best connected by rail to Delhi, Calcutta and Varanasi. Road links to all nearby cities - Varanasi (122 km), Patna (368 km), Lucknow (237 km).

Hotel yatrik, Allahabad Regency Hotel, UPSTDC's Tourist Bungalow, Presidency Hotel, Sumrat Hotel.

SANGAM : Boats go to the confluence of the rivers Ganga, yamuna and the legendary Saraswati. THE FORT : Built by Akbar in 1583, it has massive walls, towering gateways and a panoramic view of the river. A 3^rd century Ashokan Pillar stands inside. ANAND BHAWAN : The ancestral hoe of the Nehrus; the seat of the Indian struggle for independence. KHUSRU BAGH : A peaceful garden containing the tomb of prince Khusru, son of Jehangir who was executed by his father. ALLAHABAD MUSEUM : A fine collection of Rajasthani miniatures and terracotta figures.

FESTIVALS

Magh Mela every winter. The Kumbh Mela every 12 years.

It is oldest inhabited city in the world! Where the reigning deity, Lord Shiva, is worshipped in innumerable temples and shrines. It has a fascination uniquely its own. A quality of sublime beauty. A timeless eternal appeal

Climate : Summer (Mar to Jun) : Warm

Monsoon (Jul to Aug) : Warm

Winter (Nov to Feb) : Cool and pleasant

Clothing : Summer - Cottons

Winter - Woollens

Air links to Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Calcutta, Kathmandu. Rail links to major cities. Bus links to all nearby cities and the Nepal border. Connection by road to major cities - Agra (565 km), Allahabad (122 km), Delhi (765 km).

WHERE TO STAY

Deluxe Hotels : Clarks Varanasi, Hotel Taj Ganges, Hotel Varanasi Ashok.

Standard hotels ; Hindustan International, hotel de Paris, Bombay International, Siddharth, Mallti, UPSTDC's Tourist Bungalow.

THE GHATS : The best way to view the row of bathing ghats that line the banks of the Ganga is by boat. The most famous are Dasaswamedh, Kedar and Manikarnika. VISHWANATH TEMPLE : The main shrine to Lord Shiva, erected by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776, it is the devotional focus of the city. The domes are plated in gold. TEMPLES : Other temples worth visiting are the Tulsi Manas Durga Kund, Bharat Mata and New Vishwanath temple. RAM NAGAR FORT : The 17^th century home of the Raja of Benares. An interesting museum, it house the royal possessions.

GYANVAPI MOSQUE : Constructed by Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17^th century over the ruins of the Vishveswara Temple, which he destroyed. BENARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY : Perhaps the largest residential university in Asia, housed in an area of nearly 2000 acres.

Brocades, brassware, invory-ware, carpets and gold jewellery. Main shopping areas are Chowk, Vishwanath Lane, Gyanvapi, Thatheri Bazar and Lahurabir.

A mouth-watering spread of sweets. Try Kachauri and vegetarian breakfast. And the famous Pan (betel leaf).

The important festivals are Budha Purnima, Chetganj Nakkataiya and Ganga Dusshera.

By the crashing waves of the Bay of Bengal, this city has dedicated itself to Lord Vishnu, here called Jagannath. Once of the four holy `dhams' was established here by the Hindu sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8^th century AD. At Puri, the highlight of the year is the chariot festival - the Rath Yatra.

Climate : Summer (Mar to Jun) : Warm

Monsoon (Jul to Aug) : Warm

Winter (Nov to Feb) : Cool and pleasant

Clothing : Summer - Cottons

Winter - Woollens

Road links to Bhubneswar. Nearest airport Bhubneswar (56 km), Rail links to Calcutta, Madras, Delhi.

Hotel Nilachal Ashok, Toshali Sands, SE Railway Hotel, Panthanivas, Hotel Vijoya International, Holiday Resort.

LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE : A 12^th century temple built in the Kalinga style. Shrines to other gods and goddesses within. ANANDA BAZAAR : The biggest food market in the world. GUNDICHA GHAR : The Garden House, the smaller sanctum that houses the deities during Rath Yatra. PURI BEACH : Miles of golden sands and the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal - one more attraction of the city.

Miniature stone sculptures, wood carvings, patta paintings, sea shell items.

Chandan Yatra at the Hindu new year. Snana Yatra celebrating Lord Jagannath's ritual bath. Rath Yatra, the ceremonial chariot festival every summer.

Legends say that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy because of a curse by his father. After a penance of 12 years, Samba was cured by Surys, the Sun God in whose honour he built this temple.

Dedicated to the divine charioteer, Surya, the Sun Temple is a magnificent example of ancient Orissan temple architecture. Built in the 13^th century AD, it was visualised as a chariot for the Sun God for his daily celestial journey.

Climate : Summer (Mar to Jun) : Warm

Monsoon (Jul to Aug) : Warm

Winter (Nov to Feb) : Cool and pleasant

Clothing : Summer - Cottons

Winter - Woollens

Konark is connected by road to Bhubaneswar (65 km) and Puri (31 km). Nearest airport, Bhubaneswar. Nearest railhead, Puri.

Panthanivas. Travellers Lodge

The Chandrabhaga Mela in February on the beach.

Everyday of the year a mass of humanity surges up steep pathways that cut across the hillside for mile after mile. This show of faith is finely interwoven with the cultural strands of the Indian subcontinent, for these pathways to the shrine of the Mother Goddess, Vaishno Devi, have been trod on for many centuries now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail to her abode to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a forthcoming examination, marriage or the birth of a child, the Mata takes care of it all. There are many who journey here year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion, for Mata Vaishno Devi transcends all such barriers.

As the legend goes more than 1000 years ago Vaishno Devi a devotee of Vishnu, used to pray to Lord Rama and had taken a vow of celibacy. Bhairon Nath, a tantric (demon-god) tried to behold Her. Making use of his tantric powers, Bhairon Nath was able to see Her going towards the Trikuta mountains and gave chase. The Goddess felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from where water gushed out. Charan Paduka, marked by the imprints of Her feet, is the place where she rested. The Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adhkawari. It took Bhairon Nath nine month to locate Her, the reason why the cave is known as Garbh Joon. Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave with Her Trident when the demon-God located Her. On arriving at the Holy Cave at Darbar, she assumed the form of Maha Kali and cut off Bhairon Nath's head which was flung up the mountain by the force of the blow and fell at the place where the Bhairon Temple is now located. The boulder at the mouth of the Holy Cave according to the legend is the petrified torso of bhairon Nath who was granted divine forgiveness by the benevolent Mata in his dying moments.

Nestled in the folds of the mighty Trikuta mountain 61 kilometres north of Jammu at a height of 5,2000 feet from the sea level, the Cave Shrine of Trikuta bhagwati has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment for millions of devotees since time immemorial.

How to Reach

Jammu - 48 km from Katra - is the nearest airport and railhead. There are daily Indian Airlines flights from Delhi and Srinagar to Jammu. Indian Airlines also touches Chandigarh and Amritsar on some days of the week. By rail, Jammu is connected directly with Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Kanya Kumari besides being connected with other major cities of the country. Jammu is also the terminal point of a large number of Inter State Bus Services.

Jammu to Katra - Buses leave for Katra after every 10 minutes from the main bus stand at Jammu between 5:30 am to 8:30 pm during rush periods additional buses are also pressed into service between Jammu and Katra to clear the stranded yatris.

Taxis are also available for hire between Jammu and Katra. These can be hired from the Jammu Airport, Jammu Railway Station and the Tourist Reception Centre at Jammu.

A number of travel agencies run conducted tours to Katra regularly from Delhi and other major cities in northern and central Indian. There are also daily scheduled services to Katra from Taran Taran, Amritsar, Jullunder, Ludhiana, Patiala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jawala Ji (via Dharamshala) and Srinagar.

Katra to Vaishno Devi - A 13 km distance from Katra to Vaishno Devi Ji Idarbar) can be traversed by ponly, Dandi or on foot, Pithus (coolies) are available for carrying small children and luggage.

Yatri Niwas and Vishram Ghar managed by the Shrine Board and the Tourist Dak Bungalow and Retiring Centre managed by the J & K Tourism Development Corporation provide reasonably priced accommodation at Katra.

Sarais, managed by the Shrine Board offer free accommodation at Adhkawari, Sanjichhat and Darbar.

Dharamshalas, run by various organisations offer reasonable accommodation to the pilgrims. Yatris are however advised to keep themselves away from touts promising free Dharamshala accommodation.

A number of hotels provide accommodation for different classes of pilgrims.

Canvas shoes, bamboo sticks, cotton bags, caps, torches and waterproofs are available on hire for the trek.

Pithus, ponies and dandies (Palki) can be hired for carrying children, aged/invalid persons or luggage.

Shalimar Park, Raghunath Mandir, Chintamani Mandir, Kalka Mandir and Bhumika Mandir are places connected with the legend, in Katra town. The temples of Adhkawari, Bhairon Ghati, as also Garbh Joon at Adhkawari are places of incidents on the route the Devi took while fleeing from bhairon Nath. There are a large number of scenic sports around Katra. These include Aghar Jitto, Chamba, Deva Mai, Devi Pindian, Baba Dhansar, Bhim Gharh Fort and Salal Lake, Reasi.

Where to Shop

Narial, Bhaints and other Puja materials are available at the shops at Katra and Darbar. Narial and Bhaints at cheap rates are also available at the Bhaint Shop run at Darbar by the Shrine Board.

A large number of cafetarias-cum-view points are run between Katra and Darbar by the Shrine Board. These provide snacks, coffee and cold drinks to the yatris on no-profit no loss basis.

The Shrine Board runs Bhojanalyas at Katra, Adhkawari, Sanjichhat and Durbar for providing hygienically prepared food to the yatris on no profit no loss basis.

Souvenirs from the Shrine in the form of sarees, chunis, bangles, wall clocks, etc. received as offerings before the Goddess can be purchased at cheap rates from the Shrine Board Souvenir shops at Katra and Bhawan.

• When the group number that is allotted to you at parchi counter, Bhawan, is announced, stand in queue at gate number 2, leading to the sanctum sanctorum.
  
• While inside the cave, please concentrate on the darshan of mother goddess in her three pindi forms - Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi (Maha Vaishnavi) and Maha Saraswati.