Vaishno Devi, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in India

New Delhi: The world famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the Trikuta hills near Jammu in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In Hinduism, Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. Vaishno Devi Temple is near the town of Katra, in the Reasi district. It is one of the most revered places of worship in India. To pay homage to the Goddess, lakhs of pilgrims travel to the Trikuta hills to pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. More than 8 million pilgrims visit the shrine in a year, most of them trek the hills on foot. The common belief is that one who sets on the journey never returns back empty handed. Thus chanting the name of their deity, pilgrims take this taxing journey up the hills just to get a glimpse of the Goddess's image. This holy cave is set atop the famous Trikuta Hills. Legend has it, the Goddess Vaishno Devi hid in this holy cave while escaping a demon named Bhairavnath who pestered to marry him. She eventually confronted him outside the cave and decapitated him. Where she merged with supreme energies and became one with God, a temple stands there today as tribute to her. Hindu mythology treats her as a manifestation of Vaishnavi- a mother Goddess. The cave is barely 30m in length and about 2m high. Small groups are allowed to enter the cave through a narrow entrance. The main Vaishno Devi shrine has no Goddess idols of its own. The cave's end is decorated with shrines of 3 avatars of the Goddess namely - Mahakali, Mahasarasvati, and Mahalakshmi. A rock just opposite these shrines oozes out water. This is said to have been marked by the presence of Lord Shiva. The `Aarti` of the Goddess is performed twice daily. Once before the sunrise and second time - post sunset. The procedure is sacred yet lengthy. Katra is the base camp for the journey to Maa Vaishno Devi`s cave. It is nearly 13 kms away from the shrine. The first stop on the trek is Banganga, which is around 1 km. from Katra.. People take a holy dip and are served free food (Langar). About 6 kms further from there is the Ardhkunwari, the cave where it is believed that Devi relaxed and meditated for nearly 9 months. The last stop before Mata Vaishno Devi`s shrine is the Bhawan, where one can deposit their valuables. Some travel by foot while others on ponyback. Many hire helicopters to get there as well. The most appropriate time to visit is from March till July. It is advisable to carry light woollens in case it gets chilly. Following the common belief, millions of pilgrims flock to Vaishno Devi hoping their deepest desires will come to being and that one day they too shall attain Nirvana. They say that you don't set out on this pilgrimage until and unless the Goddess is calling you herself.