| Bhaint
Shops
Offerings
 The
traditional offerings to Mata, which are permitted inside
the Holy Cave include Chunri (a red coloured drape),
Saries, Cholas, Silver or Gold ornaments, dry Fruits, flowers
etc.
These traditional offerings are called Bhaints. A typical
Bhaint comprises Prasad, fullian, Makhana, Chunni, Mouli,
Coconut, Pooja samagri including Itra, Bangles
and Sindoor.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has its own no profit
no loss shops at Bhawan known as Bhaint Shop
where Prashad/Bhaints offerings are available at
a fair price. Hence the pilgrims are not required to buy offerings
at Katra and carry them all the way to Bhawan. Beautifully
packed Bhaints in eco-friendly jute bags are available in
the Bhaint shop at Bhawan at reasonable rates. The Bhaints
are available in the denominations of Rs. 11, Rs. 21 and Rs.
31. Bhaints of higher denominations are also likely to be
introduced shortly. Pilgrims can also buy a water bottle from
the Bhaint shop to fill the Holy water that gushes out of
the Holy Cave after having Darshans.
 The
Shrine Board has got prepared gold and silver coins of guaranteed
purity. These coins bear the image of the Holy Pindies on
one side and that of Goddess Durga on the other. These coins
are available at the Prashad counter just outside the Holy
Cave and at all the banks at Bhawan.
The Board is also trying to explore the possibility of providing
yatries with pure silver chatters of various denominations
of guaranteed purity. It is expected that these shall shortly
become available at the Bhaint shop to facilitate such yatries
as would like to offer chatters to Mother Goddess.
No sweets, sweet dishes, food stuffs etc. are allowed inside
the Holy Cave and pilgrims should refrain from buying such
offerings. Coconuts are also not permitted due to security
considerations and hence no Coconuts are allowed to be broken
anywhere near the Holy Cave, as is the practice at other temples.
But being so intimately connected with the traditional offerings
they are not refused either. Pilgrims are required to deposit
the Coconuts at a counter in the Main Waiting Hall, before
entering the Holy Cave and are given a token in return. They
can reclaim their coconuts from a separate counter, once they
are out of the Holy Cave after having Darshans.
All the offerings in cash are required to
be deposited in the donation boxes kept at various places
and no donations in cash or kind are allowed to be handed
over to any temple priest or anyone else.
One can always donate in cash or in kind and obtain a proper
receipt for the same. All the donations to Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Shrine Board enjoy tax benefits under section 80-G of
the Income Tax Act. The Shrine Board is a non profit organization
and donations always help to create more and better facilities
for all the visitors and are used in larger public interest.
For details, please see the
section on donation
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