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Bhaints,
Prasad & Offerings...
 The
traditional offerings to Mata include Chunri (a red
coloured drape), Saries, Cholas, Silver
or Gold ornaments, Dry Fruits, Flowers etc. 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.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has its own no profit
no loss shops at Bhawan known as Bhaint Shops
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.
If the budget is on the higher side, 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.
 All
offerings in cash are required to be put into the sealed 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. Computerised donation counters have been set up at various
points at Katra and at Bhawan and devotees can offer cach/cheques/drafts
and obtain computerised receipts on the spot.
All ornaments and jewelry offerings are to be deposited in
the jewelry boxes kept in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Saries, Cholas,
Chunris, etc. are also accepted here. Devotees who wish to
offer larger ornaments can also deposit the same at the Office
of the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Room No.8, Kalika Bhawan
at Bhawan or the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Central Office, Katra. The
larger ornaments are preserved and offered at the feet of
Holy Goddess on a rotational basis.
For details on donations and
offerings click here
More about Bhaint and Prasad
...
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