Vaishno Devi

Location:
Mata's cave shrine is nestled in the mighty Trikuta mountain 61 kilometres north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The Shrine:
The holy cave shrine of Vaishno Devi is said to have been built by the five Pandavas. The length of the cave is about 98 ft. The symbols of a large number of gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon can be seen here.

Within the cave are ancient images of three deities, the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks up to the shrine of Vaishno Devi to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. There are many who journey here year after year to pay obeisance, regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class for Mata Vaishno Devi transcends all such barriers.

This cave Shrine is narrow and houses the rock-cut idols of the Goddess, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. The canopies of the idols are made up of silver and gold. The devouts offer coconuts and red scarves here. Pilgrims from all over India throng the place all the year round. One has to acquire a pass at Katra, to visit the shrine.