Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine / Cave Temple, Katra, Reasi District, Jammu & Kashmir.

The visit to this Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine at Trikuta mountains (three peaks), Katra in Jammu & Kashmir was a part of the AMARNATH JI yatra on 05^th July 2014. This was a continuation of Yatra to Kailash and Chardham ( Yamunothri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath ), with the same Group, but with a change of Travel agency. The main itinerary in this Amarnath yatra includes Shiv Khori Cave, Shri Vaishno Devi Cave, Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Amritsar, Wagah border and Shri Raghunath Temple Jammu.

 Holy cave complex looks like a multistory building 

Presiding deity : Mata Vaishno Devi

Mata Shri Vaishno Devi is in the form of 3 heads / pindies on a natural rock about 5.5 feet tall inside the cave. The three pindies have a common base at the bottom. The three heads are called the holy pindies. The entire rock body is immersed in the water and a marble platform was constructed later. The three Pindies each are distinctively different from the other two in color and texture. The three Pindies represent Maha Kali (Right), Maha Lakshmi (Middle), and Maha Saraswathi (Left). There are no statues, Pictures, or Idols.  Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is considered to be an incarnation of the above supreme energies.

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ARCHITECTURE

All along the trek and at Bhawan there are many Photographs explaining the nature of darshan inside the holy cave are displayed. The inlet and outlet to the caves are constructed with marble. Two additional tunnels are created, to enable the devotee's quick darshan. The entrance to the cave is 98 feet.  There are about 6 Q complexes with priority for darshans.

There is a Shiva shrine in a cave, a level below Shri Mata Vaishno Devi’s Cave. Ram, Lakshman, and Sita temple with Sri Anjaneya in front was constructed at a later stage.

Looking from the trek path we could see the temple complex like a multi-storey building.

 Footpath is covered for shade

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HISTORY

The cave was discovered about 700 years ago by Pandit Shridhar. One day, Mata Vaishno Devi came in Sridhar’s dream and told him, where she was on the hill. Sridhar followed her instructions and identified her. Mata Vaishno Devi gave darshan to her 4 sons and blessed them. Even today, his descendants take care of Mata Vaishno Devi.

The temple activities are being maintained by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board ( SMSVDB ), established in 1986.

A Rope car way to reach 5200 feet altitude, a 12 km stretch from Katra was established at a cost of 55.77 lakhs, and started functioning on 24^th, December  2018, for the benefit of pilgrims ( Rs 100 was charged initially ). The ropeway will transport 1000 Devotees per hour. This will cover the Bhairon Mandir also.

A stampede occurred on January 1^st, 2022, resulting in 12 people lost their lives and 16 others injured. This was due to a scuffle between the two groups. It was said that suffocation was the main reason for the death.

LEGENDS

It is believed that unless Mata Shri Vaishno Devi calls, we cannot have the Darshan at this Holy cave. This is the place where Mata’s skull was fallen, hence it is believed that this is one of the Sakthi Peedams.

It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine existed before the epic Mahabharat period. As per the legend, Krishna advised Arjuna to worship Devi before going to the Kurukshetra war.  Devi appeared before him in the form of Mata Vaishno Devi and blessed him. Arjuna praised Mata Vaishno Devi as the highest Yogin, immortal, mother of all Vedas, the science of Vedandhas, the Giver of Victory, and this place as Jambhu. It is believed that the name Jambhu has been corrupted to the present name of Jammu. It is believed that Pancha Pandavas constructed temples for Vaishno Devi opposite to the hill and 5 rocks opposite to the cave are believed to be of Pancha Pandavas.

In another legend, The tantric Bhairon Natha happened to the Young Vaishno Devi, who fell in love and chased her. Mata Vaishno Devi assumed the form of Durga and cut off the head of Bhairon Nath, in this cave. In another version of the same legend, Mata Vaishno Devi, asked Sridhar to arrange a feast for the Locals near Bhumika stream. In that, Bhairon Nath also joined and demanded meat and liquor. Mata Vaishno Devi told him that the feast was for the Brahmins and only vegetarian food would be served. On seeing young Mata Vaishno Devi, Bhairon Nath lusted on her and chased her. To escape from him, Mata Vaishno Devi, came to this cave after stopping at Banganaga, Charan Paduka, Ardh Kunwari, and finally Bhawan in the Trikuta hills. It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi stayed for about 9 months in this cave and finally killed Bhairon Nath by cutting off his head. Bhairon Nath prayed to Mata to pardon him. Mata Vaishno Devi granted him salvation and a temple was constructed midway to this Cave for him. It is believed that the Vaishno Devi yatra will be fulfilled only after the darshan of Bhairon Nath.       

DARSHAN PROCEDURES AND FACILITIES

Dharshan, poojan, accommodation, and Helicopter travel from the base of the Hill have to be reserved through the official website of the Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board ( SMVDSB ). The final stretch of 3 KM from the helipad to Holy Cave, has to be walked or a dolly is available. A Ropeway was established in 2021 from the base of the Hill to transport 1000 devotees per hour.

A locker facility is available to lock the valuables on showing the Id card free of charge. Camera and Mobile are not allowed inside the Holy cave. Each person is checked for security before entering the holy cave. Even the prasad is being distributed by the security personnel.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular daily poojas, special poojas are conducted during Navratri days ( September – October ), Deepavali,  etc. On all Navratri nights, all leading artists from our country will perform at Vaishno Devi Darbar.  Devotees used to offer traditional mangal materials like Chunri ( red color drape), Sarees, Dry fruits, Silver and Gold ornaments, Cholas, and flowers.

CONTACT DETAILS

Official Web site: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/index.aspx

Phone number 01991 234 053

HOW TO REACH

Mata Vaishno Devi Cave is about 13 KM from Katra Town.

The nearest Railway station is Katra and the nearest airport is Jammu (63 km).

LOCATION OF THE CAVE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Helipad at the top of the hill - from here 3.5 KM to holy cave 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---