All the information regarding visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

This post of Travelogy Goodlife is created for viewers to have all the information regarding visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

Planning Stage

Jai Mata Vaishno Devi

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is situated in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and is approx 60 Km from Jammu City. The shrine is open 24 Hrs for Darshan and needs little bit of planning and motivation for visiting Maa Vaishno Devi.

Yatra Parchi (Permission for visit the shrine) can be taken online by furnishing ID card details of all Pilgrims. Yatra Pachi can also be taken offline after reaching Katra at many places but it is advisable to take Yatra Parchi online as online parch is valid for 24 Hrs for starting journey from Base to shrine but in offline one you have to start journey within 6 hrs of issue of parchi. Peak season for Mata Vaishno Devi visit is between April to June and September to October. Heavy rush of pilgrims may be encountered during the above periods.

Ex Bangalore, we have many ways to reach Katra

1. Flight from Bangalore to Jammu and then by Bus/Cab/Train to Katra (Flights from Bangalore to Jammu are costly)

2. Flight from Bangalore to Delhi and then by Bus/Cab/Train to Katra (Most economical and Time saving option)

3. Train from Bangalore to Katra

Hotel options are numerous in Katra and can be booked from any online booking sites. Also Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine board has a lot of accommodation options and needs to be booked early for reservations. 

Clothes to be taken depends on period of the year you have planned to visit. It is advisable to carry cold weather clothes if you plan your journey between October and February. Also it may snow in December, heavy weather clothes are preferable.

Katra is base camp for Mata Vaishno devi Shrine and there is considerable temperature difference between Katra and Bhawan (Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Temple area is called Bhawan also). From Katra to Bhawan, there are a lot of points ie Banganga, Charanpaduka, Ardhakunwari, Himkoti, Sanjho Chat and Bhairo Baba Temple. Ardhakunwari Temple is midway between Katra and Bhawan. Distance from Katra till Bhawan is approx 14 km. 

If you start ascend from Banganga, several options like horses, mules and carriages are available on rent till Bhawan. Rates are quoted at Banganga entry point. If you prefer walking, you can start from Banganga or Tarakot Marg. Tarakot Marg is a new way which is available only for walking pilgrims from Katra till Ardhakunwari. This new way is easier to climb and safe. After reaching Ardhakunwari, electric cars are available to reach Bhawan (Heavy rush is observed for tickets). Also you can book online tickets for electric cars. Helicopter facility is available from Katra till Sanjhichat. From Sanjhichat, Bhawan is 2.5 Km which can be covered by walking or by horses on rent. Also Helicopter option from Katra to Shrine needs to be booked early minimum 3 months in advance to get confirmed reservation. (Though Helicopter flight is not guaranteed due to ever changing weather near Shrine) 

After reaching Bhawan, Yatra parch needs to be stamped and if heavy rush of pilgrims is observed, then group number is given in the Yatra parch and you have to wait till your group number is announced to have Darshan. There are free lockers available in Bhawan to keep all the belonging. Shoes, leather items, cameras and luggage not allowed inside Mata Vaishno devi Darshan place.

You can have most authentic details and can do booking of accomodation from Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine official Website (https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/).

Ardhakunwari Shrine view
from Katra Railway Station

Me and my family undertook a journey of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine ex-Bangalore from 15th Sep till 18th Sep 2019. The journey was divine and full of energy thanks to Mata Vaishno Devi. I will share my journey details in next post of same blog.

At Katra Railway Station

Electric Bike- New way India will travel- Future

Electric Bike- New way India will travel- Future

India is slowly embracing the new word, a way of life Electric Bikes. Electric bikes, scooters, cars buses are future of India for varied reasons. First of all slowly all the hydrocarbons from which petrol or diesel are being derived will slowly become scarce and costly. Second to reduce carbon foot prints all nations are taking serious steps. Vehicles consuming petrol and diesel will slowly start to become costlier as they have to pay for keeping environment clean.

I purchased a Cosmic Crux 29" cycle in Jun 2019 and started using the cycle for my daily exercise regime. Me and my friend Nayan (Nayan uses Schnell Cycle by the way since May 2019) are using the cycles for our daily rides and long rides.

As Bangalore terrain is having a lots of crests and troughs, I decided to invest in a electric bike kit to convert my cycle to a e bike without investing in a new cycle. ( Main reason being to keep pace with Nayan as I am on the bulkier side of weighing scale😏).

SEARCH OF AN ELECTRIC BIKE KIT

It was kind of research for months to zero in on an ebike. I searched everywhere from Aliexpress, Bangood, Gearbest (All Chinese) to Amazon India, Flipkart but no result. I found all the available kits either sub standard or they are not giving warranties. Some of them were not responding to my queries or giving unsatisfactory replies. I wanted to convert my cycle but with some specifications like I wanted the same gear configuration and the same brakes (disc brakes) with in line brake sensors. All the indian suppliers were clueless about the details. 

My research on the electric bikes zeroed in to two indian startup companies- Lightspeed from Ahmedabad and Eaddict from Pune. Eaddict was providing the motor for front hub only and lightspeed had both the options- for Front and Rear Hubs. Also both companies were providing in line brake sensors and also a lot of personalisation in the kits. As I was not confident on front hub motors, I decided to go with Lightspeed with rear hub motor. 

I ordered Lightspeed Kit on 21st Oct and recieved the Kit within 7 days. I ordered the kit with personalisation with 7.8 Ah Battery, Dynamic Display with 5 pedal Assist, 250 Watt rear hub motor with thread on cassette, 29" rear double alloy wheel, thumb throttle, inline brake sensor and Front Headlight (Price can be referred in their website). Rushad from Lightspeed was always prompt to clear my doubts. After delivery, I took the kit and my cycle to local mechanic for fitment. Only issue with lightspeed which I found is that they do not provide any printed document for fitment and Lightspeed informed that engineer will be on line while fitting to clear any doubts. 

After fitment I had driven the ebike for nearly 400 Kms in last two months and I love the same for doing short trips to long trips. The Kit on fully charged gives a range of approx 40 to 50 Km in Pedal assist ( Not tried full throttle mode Yet) and takes only Rs 1.50 to Rs 2.00 to fully charge the battery. Lightspeed has given one year warranty on Battery and two years on other parts like motor. In fact I have shed my Motor Cycle for any small work nearby and I am loving it.

Please contact me for any query regarding the same on my contact page. I will be delighted to help on any issue.

Cycling Trails near and in Bangalore

Cycling Trails.....Bangalore!!!

Bangalore aka Bengaluru is really infamous for its traffic in this 21st Century, also known as Silicon Valley of India is now not so fast city. The average speed of vehicles at peak hours is approx. 15.5 Km/hr, which is 3rd from bottom ranking among Indian cities. So the answer to this may be zoom across in cycle may be a ebike. You will reach faster to your destination with negative carbon footprint to boast off.

I have been using a cycle for my exercise regime since 2018. Cycling is always excitable and enjoyable in group. 

Cycling Trail....Near Heserghatta Lake

I will below state some of the enjoyable cycling trails which will be elaborated in ensuing posts of the same blog. We have considered starting point as Hebbal (near to CBI office). We have covered all these locations with passion and love for nature....

1. Hebbal to Sankey Tank (Approx 6 Km)
2. Hebbal to Cubbon Park (Approx 8 Km)
3. Hebbal to Ulsoor Lake (Approx 9 Km)
4. Hebbal to Rachenhalli Lake (Approx 9 Km)
5. Hebbal to GKVK (Approx 10 km)
6. Hebbal to Avalahalli Forest (Approx 17 Km)
7. Hebbal to Hennur Bamboo Forest (Approx 19 Km)
8. Hebbal to Hessergatta Lake (Approx 20 Km)
9. Hebbal to Turahalli Forest (Approx 21 Km)

This list is exhaustive but not limited. 

All these trails and routes will be elaborately explained in the ensuing posts of the same blog. Please comment and tell us about other trails which can be explored nearby Bangalore.

TRIP TO BALAJI TIRUPATI VIA PACKAGE TOUR

TRIP TO BALAJI TIRUPATI VIA PACKAGE TOUR

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To start with, fews days ago I did a quick tour to Tirumala Balaji via a package tour and I will try to put in to start with. Religious!😆😆

Me and my friend Nayan booked a package tour for Tirumala Darshan (One day trip) on 14th December via Seabird Tourists and ITDC. Departure was scheduled for 13th Dec night from Anand Rao Circle in Bangalore.  You can book tickets at www.seabirdtourists.com.

We reached Seabird Tourist office on 13th Dec 2019 by 9.00 pm to explore nearby areas as our departure was scheduled for 10.00 PM. We had our dinner nearby and by 10.20 PM the bus came- Multiaxle Volvo to take us for Balaji Darshan.

After getting on to the Bus, we were provided with water bottles, already blankets were available on the seats. Bus seating was semi sleeper and was comfortable. The bus crossed KR Puram at approx 12.00 am due to traffic situation in Bangalore as always.

Bus arrived at Tirupathi at 4.08 AM, we met our Guide Mr Chandra Mouli at some point and we were taken to a standard hotel near padmavathi temple. We were asked to get ready ( to be in traditional Dress) BY 5.00 AM and come down with luggage. Then we went to Padmavathi Temple for Darshan and permission from Goddess Padmavathi to visit her Husband God Balaji. We had our darshan within half an hour and by 6.00 AM we started again in the Bus. We were taken to PLR Grand Hotel for Breakfast. Breakfast is included in package and was basically south indian food including dosa and idlis.

From Tirupathi to Tirumala, where God resides is approx 27 KM and private buses are not allowed. Private cars can be taken to the hill top. From PLR Grand, Govt Bus stop is nearby and we were told to be on a APSRTC Bus. Everything was managed well from start till end.

After a hour swirling journey up the hills we reached Tirumala Hills abode of Lord Balaji.

In the APSRTC Bus from Tirupathi to Tirumala.

Some people were painting Lord Balaji Tika on forehead after chanting some shlokas for Rs 10.00 per head. We were happy to put the same. We were given our darshan tickets and we started our journey for Darshan inside Temple complex. As rush was not much, we had our darshan within 1 Hr. We had a very good darshan and came out blessed by the almighty. Prayed for well being of one and all. We came out by 11 AM. Then we purchased Laddus from the counter and came back to the meeting point. Our Guide was already there and gave us our entitled Two Free Laddus.

At Tirupathi, after Darshan

At around 1.45 PM, again we started our journey towards Tirupathi in one of the APSRTC Buses destined for this package. We were taken to PLR Grand Hotel for Lunch. Lunch was basically south India food.

After Lunch we all started in the same Volvo Bus towards Bangalore at around 2.30 PM and reached Bangalore by 9.00 PM at KR Puram. Bus was late as there was rain in between. But felt blessed and had divine darshan of the almighty.

Features of Package

Price Rs 2205.00 incl of GST on weekends, weekdays fare may be less.
Inclusions: Return Journey by Volovo Multiaxle, Breakfast, Lunch, Hotel for 1 hr for freshning up, Guide, One Balaji Seeghra Darshan Ticket worth of Rs 300.00, Two Laddus
Important- Dont carry any valuables with you as luggage you have to leave in Volvo Bus. Total journey completed in 24 Hrs

In the next Blog, Vaishno Devi trip and lot more....Stay Happy and make others Happy