Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the oldest temple of India, situated at a height of 5300 feet on the Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Hill .The Holy cave is 13 Kms from the Base Town Katra. The Town Katra is 50 Kms away from Jammu and 35 Kms from District HeadQuater Udhampur and is linked by road And Railways . The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is one of the most popular Shrines of India.
History:
‘Vaishno’ means the one who is related to lord “Vishnu’’. Goddess Vaishnavi is the exposer of the collective spiritual strengths of Mata Maha Kali, Maa Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati.It is define in Durga Sapatshati that the goddess was born as a young girl of extraordinary beauty and strength, out of the collectively pooled ‘Tejas’ of various ‘Devtas’ and three lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar. The immediate purpose of the creation of the goddess was the annihilation of Asura (Devil) Mahishasura.
How To Reach
Jammu, 48 kms far from Katra. There is railway station and bus stand .There are many buses from jammu to katra within 10 minute interval.
You can take any direct train to Katra as
Shri Shakti Express (22461) and Uttar Sampark Kranti (12445). Both the trains are operational on all seven days of a week and take about 12 hours to reach Katra from the New Delhi (NDLS) Railway Station to Katra , Many other trains are also available.
Taxis are available both at Jammu and Katra for the journey. In Jammu city, these can be hired from the Jammu airport, Jammu railway station and the Tourist Reception Centre.
The Holy cave is 13 Kms from the Base Camp Katra. The Town Katra is 48 Kms away from Jammu. Maa vaishno devi yatra start from katra by foot , Poni or Palki , You can also take the newly constructed Tarakot Marg or You can also Take Mata Vaishno devi helicopter tcickets.