BHAIRAV GHATI

LOCATION:Vaishno devi

PRESIDING DIETY : bhairav nath

STORY:Shree-Dhar was an ardent devotee of Ma Vaishno Devi(refer vaishno devi temple). He resided in a village called Hansali, 2 km away from the present Katra town. Once the goddess appeared in front of him in the form of a bewitching girl. The young girl asked the Shree dhar to hold a Feast. The Pandit set out to invite people from the village and near-by places. He also invited 'Bhairav Nath' a selfish demon. Bhairav Nath asked Shri-Dhar how he was planning to fulfil the requirements. He reminded him of the bad consequences in case of failure. As Panditji was lost in worry, the Divine girl appeared and told Him not to be tensed as everything had been arranged. She asked that over 360 devotees be seated in the small hut. True to Her word the Feast 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. For 9 months Bhairav Nath was searching for the mystic girl in the mountains, whom he believed was an incarnation of the Mother Goddess. While running away from Bhairav, Devi shot an arrow into the Earth from which water gushed out. This water flowed in the direction of bhairav nath to stop his progress towards the goddess.The resultant river is known as Baanganga. It is believed that by taking a bath in Baanganga (Baan: Arrow), a believer of the Mother Goddess can wash away all the sins. The banks of the river, known as Charan Paduka, are marked by Devi's foot imprints, which remains intact till date. Vaishno Devi then took shelter in a cave known as Garbh Joon near Adhkawari where she meditated for 9 months attaining spiritual wisdom and powers.

Her meditation was cut short when Bhairav located her. Vaishno Devi was then compelled to take the form of Maha Kali when Bhairav tried to kill her. The manifestation of the Mother Goddess took place at the mouth of the Holy cave at Darbar. The Goddess then beheaded Bhairav with such sheer force, that his skull fell at a place known as Bhairav Ghati, 2.5 km from the Holy Cave.

In his dying moments, Bhairav pleaded for forgiveness. The Goddess knew that Bhairav's main intention in attacking her was to achieve salvation. She not only granted Bhairav liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, but also granted him a boon, whereby every devotee, in order to ensure completion of the pilgrimage, had to visit Bhairav Nath's temple near the Holy cave after the darshan of the Goddess

REFER TO VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE AND BHAIRAV GHATI TO KNOW MORE OF THE STORY.. THESE 3 STORIES ARE RELATED