North India · Jammu & Kashmir
Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir
Sources: wikimedia
Before you go
One of India's most visited shrines: a ~13 km trek (pony, palanquin, battery car or helicopter available) from Katra. A yatra registration slip is mandatory; Navratri is the busiest.
About Vaishno Devi
- Hills
Where it is
Vaishno Devi is a cave shrine at about 1,600 m in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, reached by a trek of about 12 km from the base town of Katra, north of Jammu.
History
According to legend, the goddess Vaishnavi meditated in the Trikuta cave, where she is worshipped as three natural rock forms, the pindis of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. The cave has drawn pilgrims for centuries, and since 1986 the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has managed the shrine, which now receives millions of visitors a year.
People
The Jammu region speaks Dogri and Hindi, and Katra's economy revolves around the yatra, with pony-handlers, porters and palanquin bearers carrying many pilgrims up the path. Pilgrims greet one another with the cry Jai Mata Di as they climb.
Known for
- The Bhawan, the goddess's cave shrine
- The trek from Katra
- Ardhkuwari cave
- The Bhairon temple above the Bhawan
- Navratri
Did you know?
A pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi is traditionally considered complete only after the climb on to the Bhairon temple above the cave.
Shrines and sites
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan
- Ardhkuwari cave
- Bhairon Temple
- Banganga
Traditions
- Hindu
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.