Vaishno Devi - Kashmir, India

Temple is the world-famous holy place for Hindus. This temple is devoted to Maa Shakti, situated in the mounts of Jammu & Kashmir. Vaishno Devi Mata is also recognized as Mata Rani & Vaishnavi. Vaishno Mata is the Mother Goddess of Hindus.

Katra is the nearest town of this temple and the only spot to reach Vaishno Mata Temple. Katra is in the district Reasi in the well-known state of India Jammu & Kashmir. This temple is one of the mainly respected places of adoration in India. This place of pilgrimage is situated at altitude of 5200 feet. The distance between Katra and Temple is around 14 kilometers. Roughly, 8 million devotees are reaching to this temple each year. This temple is the 2nd most visited spiritual place in India, after Tirupati in South India. Maintenance of the temple is done by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Indian railway has a link between Udhampur and Katra, which is being constructed to provide comfort to the visitors and pilgrimage. Closest airport to Katra is Jammu Airport, and visitors will get very high frequency of flights. Many domestic and international airlines are offering services to Jammu Airport.

As per Hindu epic, Mata Vaishno Devi was born in the south India in the residence of Ratnakar Sagar. Before the birth of child, Ratnakar swears one day that he will not interfere in the desire of child. The nick name of Ma Vaishno Devi was Trikuta. Afterward she was called as Vaishnavi as she took birth from Lord Vishnu's family. At the age of 9, she wanted her parents’ permission for doing reparation on the seaside. Vaishnavi prayed to Rama, who was the form of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama gave the name Vaishnavi to Trikuta and assured her that Lord Rama will take rebirth in Kaliyuga and marry her as Kalki.

Meanwhile, Lord Rama asked Vaishnavi to contemplate in the cavern established in the Trikuta Range of hills, located in North India. Rama gave Trikuta a bow and darts, monkey’s army and lion as her shield. Mata Vaishnavi determined to perceive 'Navratra' for the success of Lord Rama in opposition to Ravan.

Shree Dhar was the keen devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi, and he was residing in a town known as Hansali, which is just 2 kms distant from Katra.

Mata Vaishno temple is situated between big hills of Katra, and the Bhairav temple is another pleased holy spot for Hindus. History behind the Bhairav temple is Mata Vaishno forgive him for his bad works and granted the freedom from the series of rebirth. She grants him a benefit that every devotee had to visit Bhairav Nath's temple situated on the higher hills of Katra.

The way to the temple is vertical and entails extended walk climbing. Otherwise horses and palanquins are available too. From a last couple of years the Helicopter service is also started as a part of journey to the temple.

 Places to visit near Vaishno Devi Temple:

Banganga: This is the holy river known as Ganga. The chilled water of the river comes across the big hills allows pilgrims to take bath and move further.

Geeta Mandir: The next temple for a devotee is Geeta Mandir.

Charan Paduka: Charan Paduka means foot signs, and devotees can watch the signs of foot of Mata Vaishno in this temple.

Adhkuwari: this is the holy place again near to Katra, and visitors can visit the goddess temples at this place. This is also the beginning point of Mata Vaishno Devi Journey. Visitors can have food items at this spot and can enjoy the beautiful nature view. Lots of facilities such as medical aid, drinking water, free accommodation, blankets and many other services are available at Adhkuwari.

Sanjhichhat: visitors will see lots of natural views from different spots, and Sanjhichhat is one of them. This is the spot from where people can hire the helicopter to reach the temple without difficulties. The beautifully designed spot is the attractive place for visitors.

Ample of bhawan are developed near Mata Vaishno Devi's temple so devotees can take a rest in these bhawan before continuing the journey.

Lots of facilities are provided to the devotees by the concerned board of Mata Vaishno temple. So tourist can enjoy the natural beauty, as well as they can get blessings of Mata by visiting the temple.

Transport:

By Air: closest airport to Vaishno devi is Jammu, which located at just 50 km distance from Katra. Jammu is properly linked with lots of major airports of India such as Delhi, Srinagar and Ladhakh. Frequent flights of various domestic and international companies are available to reach Jammu.

By Train: closest station is Jammu and proper trains are available from various parts of the country. A direct train from Trivandrum is biggest route which connects the Jammu through numerous states of country.

By Bus: The JKSRTC (Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation) buses are available for tourist to reach Jammu from where they can easily reach through taxi or other sources to Katra. Deluxe buses are also available for devotees to reach Katra and start their journey. 

Few Interesting Photos of Vaishno Devi Mata