THE DIVINE GIRL

According to a popular version about the start of the pilgrimage to the holy cave, it is said that a very pious Brahmin of Katra, Sri Dhar by name, once held a yagya in which one unknown girl of celestial beauty was also seen. On being asked who she was and where she came from, she blessed the pious Brahmin and asked him to follow her. He had no choice under the impact of her divine powers. She led him to the holy cave and ordaining him to visit the cave regularly she disappeared inside. That started the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Shri Vaishno Devi. But when did this incident take place? Again one draws blank in that regard because except repeating the well-known version of the above account, none can say as to when did it happen. The story is current among the people who claim to be the descendants of Sri Dhar and pew-fellows who were all shares in the offerings made at the shrine. The practice had been stopped now with the establishment of the statutory Shrine Board that manages the shrine entirely.

The site where the divinity gave Darshan to Sri Dhar is known as " Dharshani Darwaza " or may be it is so known because it is the first spot. From where the magnificent view of the whole range of the Trikutta mountain along with the gushing Bal Ganga streamlet at its feet, lays itself bare in all its over-whelming majesty stunning the devotees.

Perhaps the oldest reference to the visit of a high dignitary to the holy cave is that of Guru Gobind Singh who is said to have gone there via Purmandal. The old foot track to the holy cave passed through this well-known tirtha, about 40 Kms. from Jammu City.