Vaishno Devi temple is devoted to goddess Shakti. The temple lies on the blessed Trikuta hills of Udhampur district; this comes in the lower parts of Himalayas. Hindus from all over the country come to visit this place once in their lifetime. Vaishno Devi temple is the second most famous and most visited holy place in India. More than 8 million people visit this temple every year. Mata Vaishno is also well-known as the Mata Rani or Vaishnavi; she is the manifestation of the great Mother Goddess.
Vaishno Devi temple is the most honored place of devotion in the northern parts of India. It is at a distances of only 13 kilometers away from the base camp town of Katra. This is a cave temple of Mata Vaishno Devi at a distance of about 61 kilometers away from Jammu. At the entrance of the cave temple the way turns in to small tunnel from where people experience a cold stream which is named as the charan Ganga running through the way. People have to pass through this cold stream to reach the idol of Vaishno Devi.
In this temple there 3 idols of goddess Vaishnavi they are named as Mahakali, Mahasaraswati and Mahalakshmi. This idols are in the form of rocks and these rocks are about 5 - 1/2 feet tall with three heads placed on the rocks. Legend says that the Vaishnavi was born and bought in the family of Ratnakar in south. She was interested in knowing importance of gods. Later she came to know the importance of meditation.
Mata Vaishno Devi is well-known for fulfilling all the wishes of a sincere devotee. Goals and desires of people visiting this temple are fulfilled by Vaishno Devi. People come here with great love and respect for Mata Vaishno Devi. Pilgrims offer sweets, flowers, coconut, red cloth (chunni) and tulsi leaves as a token of love for Vaishno Devi.
There is a very famous Yatra which is conducted every year where thousands of people join this Yatra. This Yatra begins at the base camp of Katra. This Yatra covers a distance of about 7 miles and a height about 3500 feet. Tourism organization provides food, accommodation and all other facilities for the pilgrims. While climbing the hill there is some splendid view of the valley around the hill and the snow clad Himalayas. This not only gives a holy visit but also offers great vacation for the visitors.
Getting there:
- Airways:
Nearest airport is the Jammu airport which is at a distance of about 48 kilometers away from Vaishno Devi temple.
- Railways:
Nearest railway station is the Jammu station which is at a distance of about 61 kilometers away from Vaishno Devi temple.
- Road ways:
There are state transport buses and luxury buses from Jammu and Base camp town Katra to all the major cities of India.
| 