On 4th February 2004, the train left Ambala for Jammu at 11.45am, carrying 30 of us to Vaishno Devi. Amidst cheer, excitement, hot cups of tea and snacks, Laksmi Rao read out information about Vaishno Devi. 'Look for the pindies - not pictures or murtis,' she said.
It was almost a year back, that our Pujya Shrimad Sadyojata Shankararashram Swamiji had made a Sankalpa of visiting Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar. Upon obtaining the blessings of Lord Bhavanishankar & the Guru Parampara, HH entrusted the task of preparations to a band of devotees
In early February 99, His Holiness Swami Sadyojat Shankarashram assigned us the task of planning a 'Yatra' to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. Since we had not ourselves been to the shrines, a reconnaissance of the areas was conducted in the last week of April 99 when the shrines were opened after winter.