Preparing for Darshans

Most pilgrims prefer to take a bath before proceeding for Darshans. In the olden days pilgrims used to take a bath at the Bathing Ghat, with the water that flows from the feet of Mata. With the passage of time, and particularly after the vesting of the management in the Shrine Board, new Bathing ghats and many toilets and bathrooms have been constructed. Attempts have been made to channelise the water from the Holy Cave to all these new Bathing areas, so that irrespective of where the pilgrim takes a bath, he receives the cleansing effect of the Holy Water. The traditional Bathing ghats have also been enlarged and developed and notwithstanding many constructions, many pilgrims would still like to take a bath at the original ghats.

Pilgrims are required to deposit all their belonging in the free cloakrooms, as nothing except cash and selected offerings (please read the section on Bhaints) are allowed inside the Holy Cave. All articles of general use like belts, wrist watches with leather belts, combs, pen, pencil, purses, handbags, etc. are prohibited. For the convenience of the yatries, Shrine Board has organized free cloak room facilities at many points in the Bhawan complex. In particular, a shoes/bags cloak room has been made operational just outside Gate No.1 which is the entrance to the queue complex. This cloak room can be used for depositing all leather and other goods which are prohibited inside the Holy Cave.

No sweets are allowed either. After taking a bath at the Bathing Ghat or elsewhere, pilgrims can reach Gate No.1 where upon announcement (and/or display on the display board) of the group number, they are allowed inside the queue which would lead them eventually to one of the greatest moments of their lives, a Darshan of the Divine Mother inside the Holy Cave in the natural rock form i.e. the Holy Pindies.