Katra Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir, Jammu and Kashmir

Address

Katra Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir, Katra-Reasi Rd, Bhavan, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182301

Diety

Mata Vaishno Devi (Durga)

Introduction

The second-most pilgrimage destination in India, Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple is situated in the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Devotees from all over the world visit this famed religious site where the Mother Goddess or Mata Vaishno Devi is said to fulfill their wishes. This religious place is considered the most important 108 Shaktipeeth. At Mata Vaishno Devi Cave, the goddess is in the form of a five and a half feet tall rock which has three heads or the Pindies. On Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, devotees make traditional offerings to Mata of chunri (a red coloured drape), sarees, dry fruits, silver or gold ornaments, cholas, flowers etc.

Puranic Significance

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was formed in 1986 and ever since this most popular religious site in Jammu. According to the some people during the Treta Yuga (second yuga of Hindu cosmology), evil forces started to threaten the earth. To save herself, Bhumi the Earth Goddess, went to the Trimurti for help. While the three gods were helpless, their consorts — Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati (Kali) combined their forces and created a goddess named Vaishno Devi. After numerous battles, the goddess defeated evils and was ordered to stay on earth to protect it. The holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi is said to have been discovered by Pandit Sridhar, a Hindu priest. Goddess Vaishnavi appeared in the dream of the priest and instructed him on how to find here abode on Trikuta Hills. The priest following her instruction heads out for the journey after the dream and found the cave as instructed earlier. Mata Vaishno Devi appeared to him and blessed him with four sons. She also gave him the boon of being the custodian of the cave. Even today, Pandit Shridhar’s descendant abide by the commitment.

Special Features

The temple is sacred to all Hindus. Many prominent saints such as Vivekananda have visited the temple. The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies.

Festivals

The temple is sacred to all Hindus. Many prominent saints such as Vivekananda have visited the temple. The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies.

Century/Period/Age

1000 -2000 years old

Managed By

Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Nearest Bus Station

Katra

Nearest Railway Station

Katra

Nearest Airport

Jammu

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