Vaishno Devi Temple is the most-sought after pilgrimage of the Hindus. Located at Trikoot Parvat, Mata Vaishno Mandir is the holiest shrine of India and it is famous all over the World. The temple is accessible by a journey of 13 kms from Katra. Katra is a small town that falls in Udhampur district of Jammu. From Jammu, Katra lies at a distance of 50 kms. In the northern part of India, many rail-services are available to reach Jammu.

Activities : Religious & Pilgrimage

The temple is managed and maintained by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Vaishno Devi is regarded as the incarnation of Durga (Shakti). Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. There is a legend behind the establishment of this temple.

Activities : Religious & Pilgrimage

According to the legends, Vaishno Devi took birth around 700 years ago. The girl was a true devotee of Lord Rama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and swore to remain celibate throughout her life. In those times, Bhairon Nath learned about the powers of the Goddess. Being a tantrik, he tried to capture the girl with powers. With his tantric (black-magic) powers, he saw the girl going towards Trikoot Mountain.

Activities : Religious & Pilgrimage

Unaware about the Goddess, Bhairon Nath started to chase the girl. The Goddess ran to save herself, when she felt thirsty, she shot an arrow in the ground and the water gushed out. Ever since, the gush is flowing ceaselessly and is known as Ban Ganga. Till date, the imprints of her feet are marked on the banks of Ban Ganga and known as 'Charan Paduka'. After this incident, the Goddess went into a cave at Ardhkuari for meditation.

Activities : Religious & Pilgrimage

Bhairon Nath took around nine months to find this cave. The meditation was disturbed when Bhairon came at the cave and the Goddess made on opening at the other end of the cave with her trident. From that time, this cave came to be known as 'Garbha Joon'. The Goddess ran further on the hill and when Bhairon tried to kill Vaishno Devi, she emerged in the form of Maha Kali. She cut off Bhairon Nath's head, which flung up the mountain by the force of the blow.

Activities : Religious & Pilgrimage

Vaishno assumed the image of a rock in the form of three 'Pindis' and absorbed herself into meditation forever. As per the sayings, the rock at the entrance of the holy cave is the horrified torso of Bhairon Nath, who was forgiven by Vaishno Devi in his last moments

Activities : Religious & Pilgrimage