The Bhairon Temple holds significant religious importance for devotees visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine. Here are some key points regarding its significance:
Mythological Importance: According to Hindu mythology, Bhairon Nath was a demon who chased Mata Vaishno Devi with the intention of marrying her. The pursuit continued until Mata Vaishno Devi reached the holy cave where she ultimately attained her divine form. Bhairon Nath begged for forgiveness, and Mata Vaishno Devi granted him divine blessings, stating that the pilgrimage of a devotee would only be considered complete after visiting the Bhairon Temple.
Completion of Pilgrimage: It is believed that the pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi is incomplete without visiting the Bhairon Temple. Devotees undertake the arduous journey to the Bhairon Temple as a mark of their unwavering devotion and commitment to completing the pilgrimage in its entirety.
Location and Accessibility: The Bhairon Temple is situated atop a hill, approximately 2.5 kilometers from the main Vaishno Devi shrine. Pilgrims have to trek uphill to reach the temple, which adds to the spiritual significance of the journey.
Bhairon Baba's Blessings: Devotees believe that seeking blessings at the Bhairon Temple brings protection, strength, and fulfillment of desires. It is said that Bhairon Baba bestows his divine grace upon those who undertake the challenging trek to his temple.
Rituals and Offerings: At the Bhairon Temple, devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and make offerings to Bhairon Nath. These offerings typically include flowers, sweets, coconuts, and other items as tokens of devotion and reverence.
In essence, the Bhairon Temple is an integral part of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, symbolizing the triumph of devotion over evil and the completion of the sacred journey undertaken by devotees to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi and Bhairon Nath.