A cave shrine whose recorded pilgrimage history stretches back centuries, administered today by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, one of India's most-visited pilgrimage sites with millions of yatris annually.
Devotees trek roughly 13 km uphill to seek darshan of three natural rock formations (pindis) representing the goddess in her three forms, believed to fulfil sincere wishes.
Nearest airport: Jammu (~50 km). Nearest railway station: Katra, at the base of the trek route (also served by helicopter to Sanjichhat).
Shrine Board guesthouses (Niharika, Ardhkuwari and others) and extensive hotels in Katra town.
Official site: maavaishnodevi.org (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board)
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