| Sri Vaishno Devi Mandir Jammu |
| Dedicated to Shakti, Vaishno Devi Mandir located in the hill of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir is one of the holiest Hindu temples in India. The Vaishno Devi temple is recognized as one of the "Shakti Peeths" of goddess ' Durga'. Through the year, the shrine is visited during the winters due to snowfall the path is difficult. One of the oldest shrines of India is Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on the holy Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Hill Range. Vaishno Devi Mandir is located at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level. The Shrine of goddess 'Vaishno Devi' is reached by an arduous climb. |
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| After the Balaji Temple at Tirupati Vaishno Devi is the second most-visited shrine of India. By Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board the temple is managed and maintained. Vaishno Devi is regarded as the incarnation of Durga (Shakti). Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. |
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| Maha Sarswati, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali are three natural pindies representing which represent creative, preservative, and destructive aspects of the Super Power. The constant chanting of 'Jai Mata Di', the scenic beauty and the landscape around leaves a mystic effect on the devotees. The devotees are blessed with the 'Darshans' of the deity in her three manifestations as three Pindies, located inside the sanctum- sanatorium at the culmination of their pilgrimage. |
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| According to Hindu mythology, 700 years ago Vaishno Devi a devotee of Lord Vishnu, used to pray to Lord Rama. Bhairon Nath, a demon tried to behold Her. After nine months Bhairon Nath located Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi assumed the form of Maha Kali on arriving at the Holy Cave at Darbar and cut off Bhairon Nath's head fell at the place where the Bhairon Temple is now located. |
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| At Katra where the Yatra begins and pilgrims have to cover 13 km. of terrain on foot to reach the Darbar. Banganga is one kilometer away from Katra where Mata quenched her thirst and at 6 km. the holy cave at Adhkawari. The yatries reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months after 6 km. of trekking. |
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| Devotees set them self to the holy place of Vaishno Devi Mandir if they receive the call from divine goddess. They climb up those great heights step by step, chanting 'Prem se bolo, Jai Mata Di' as a supernatural power seems to draw them through the mountain. Images of The Mahakali, Maa Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi are present. |
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| Katra, in Udhampur district is the nearest town to the holy Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the most revered places of worship. And the temple I located at a distance of approximately 12 kilometres (7.45 miles) from Katra. |
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| Katra is about 50 kilometers from Jammu is well connected to important destinations. Jammu is well connected to cities across India through air, rail and road. |
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| To get there |
By Rail
The nearest Railway station to Katra is at Jammu 50 kilometers away. Trains from all across India are connected to Jammu.
By Road
Katra is well connected to Jammu by National Highway which is in turn connected to the rest of India.
By Air
The nearest Airport to Katra is at Jammu which is 55 kilometers away. Almost all the major airways operate its flight to Jammu. |
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