Swaraj Express | Image Resource : kxcdn.com

I have been continuously working for the past six months without any big breaks. Somehow even on Sundays I have become busy and so a break was what I needed the most as the monotonous life was already taking a toll on me. I was not decided as to whether I should visit a hill station or undertake a pilgrimage. I am a great devotee of Goddess Vaishno Devi and so I decided to seek her blessings as I was about to start a new venture.

I started making plans to visit the temple and as I was travelling alone I decided to travel by train. I booked my tickets in 3 tier AC with Swaraj Express. I love interacting with people and so I booked tickets in train. Travelling from the busy Mumbai city to Jammu Tawi was really a great experience.

Swaraj Express: Punctual And Fast

I started my journey from Bandra Terminus. Swaraj Express (12471) runs from Mumbai to Jammu Tawi and it is a super-fast train. Many Hindu pilgrims board this train to reach Vaishno Devi shrine. It runs 4 times in a week and it makes a return journey also. It covers a distance of about 1955 kms in about 31 hours. It is always full and to get reservation tickets must be reserved beforehand.

The train does not have 1st AC and it starts with second AC, three tier AC, general compartment and sleeper class. It has a pantry car which provides freshly prepared food on chargeable basis. I enjoyed a good night’s sleep and I did not feel the summer heat as the AC was cool and the bedding comfortable. The train was cleaned at periodical intervals. I got down at the station and hired a taxi to reach my hotel.

Van Durga Villas And Suites: Luxury In A Serene Surrounding

Van Durga villas and suites is a three star hotel close to the temple. You can view the temple from the hotel. I booked the hotel as it is near to the temple and it is surrounded by greenery. I chose the suite and it was luxuriously furnished with all modern creature comforts. I was a given a complimentary fruit basket on arrival. I was provided with complimentary buffet breakfast. The hotel had arranged for a pick up from the railway station.

The hotel had a restaurant serving various cuisines. I even ordered food through the room service. As I was working hard for the past six months I decided to have a spa experience. The spa at the hotel did wonders to me and I felt relaxed. The staff provided inputs about the crowds and seva at the temple. I read my book in the balcony and was also mesmerized by the greenery surrounding the hotel.

Vaishno Devi Shrine: Venerated By The Hindus

Vaishno Devi Shrine is located in Katra at Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a holy shrine to the Hindus and Goddess Vaishno Devi is believed to be an avatar of Goddess Mahalakshmi. It is a cave temple and daily lakhs of pilgrims visit the temple. Helicopter services are available. Ponies and electric vehicles are used to reach the shrine. I felt bliss after praying at the temple. I returned home contented.