The Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is situated at a distance of 48 kms north of Jammu city and at an altitude of 5200 feet on Trikuta hills. A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages. The Holy Cave attracts millions of devotees every year. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.
Katra town, the base for the pilgrims, is a small town surrounded by green Trikuta hills. From Jammu the devotees reach Katra by bus and other private vehicles by road. Jammu and Udhampur are the nearest rail links to the Katra town with the rest of India. After reaching Katra town, the pilgrims have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the pilgrims are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave and the Yatra is open all around the year.
