जय माँ वैष्णो देवी
Bhumika Devi temple (Sridhar ki Kutiya) is situated on Udhampur Road, Katra. Just 2.5 kms. from main Bus Stand and 1 km from Katra Railway Station. To visit the temple, take a vehicle or just walk (if you can). On reaching the spot, one have to walk a little to access the temple. A rivulet is just passing nearby, but the area is not very clean.
The Temple is worth visiting and if one is visiting Vaishno devi, a must visit for him/her as it is very close and is very old (around 900 years). It is believd that Mata Vaishno took this route to the sacred bhawan. It is this place from where the holy mother Vaishno Devi began her journey upwards to the holy cave. Located at the foot of the hill housing the holy cave, it's a must see. The place is very peaceful and tranquil. Natural mineral water (spring) keeps on flowing around. It is the place where Maa Vaishno Devi gave her Darshan to Pandit Shridhar as a girl child and asked him to do a BHANDARA.
Pindis at Bhumika Temple
Bhumika Mandir, Hansli Village, Katra
Pandit Sridhar and Maa Sulochna
Bhumika Mandir, Hansli Village, Katra
Bhumika Mandir Cave
Bhumika Mandir, Hansli Village, Katra
Bhumika Mandir, Outer view
Bhumika Mandir, Hansli Village, Katra
Maa Ka Mandir, Upper View
Bhumika Mandir, Hansli Village, Katra
The Myth Behind
Bhumika Mandir, Hansli Village, Katra
Devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and make offerings such as flowers, coconuts, sweets, and incense at the temple as a sign of devotion and gratitude to Mata Vaishno Devi. The offerings are believed to bring blessings and fulfillment to the devotees.
In Navratris, Devotees arrange bhandara here in gratitute of Mata Vaishno Devi
Shree-Dhar was an ardent devotee of Ma Vaishno Devi. He resided in a village called Hansali, 2 km away from the present Katra town. Once Mata appeared to him in the form of a young girl. The young girl asked the humble Pandit to hold a ‘Bhandara’. (A feast to feed the mendicants and devotees) and invite the devotees from all around. Though he was not having the suffecient stock of food and money, given assurance from Devi he, set out to invite people from the village and near-by places. He also invited a self fish tantrik- ‘Bhairav Nath’. Bhairav Nath asked Shri-Dhar how he was planning to fulfil the requirements even in the case when god Indra was not able to feed him. He reminded him of the bad consequences in case he fails to feed him.
As Panditji was lost in worry, the Divine girl appeared and told Him not to be despondent as everything had been arranged. She asked that over 360 devotees be seated in the small hut. Looking at the smal hut Bhairav asked how so many person can be accomodated in it. Devi assured that the there is enough space and he should invite Bhairav inside the hut. True to Her word the Bhandara went smoothly with food and place to spare. Bhairav Nath admitted that the girl had supernatural powers and decided to test Her further. He followed the Divine girl to Trikuta Hills from here only.