Located amidst the picturesque Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir in India, lies the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. The temple is revered by many and is visited by millions of pilgrims each year. It is believed that the Goddess fulfills whatever her devotees wish for.\r\n\r\nThe holy cave is located at an altitude of 5200 feet above sea level. Pilgrims start their journey from the base camp of Katra and undertake a challenging trek of nearly 13.5 km. The trek is challenging, yet exciting at the same time. Scores of pilgrims joyfully chant the slogan of ‘Jai Mata Di’ and sing ‘bhajans’ (songs devoted to the Goddess). The pilgrims consist of men, women, and children of all ages, people belonging to various cultures, regions and speaking different tongues, united by their common devotion towards Mata Vaishno Devi. With time, the amenities offered to the tourists have improved considerably. If trekking does not appeal to you, you can choose between a helicopter ride, an exciting pony ride and other such modes of transport. The stretch is dotted with shops and restaurants, where you can relax before continuing your journey.
