Jammu - the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. A land of grand ancient temples, and beautiful palaces. Nestled against the backdrop of the snow-capped Pir Panjal Mountains, the region of Jammu constitutes the southernmost unit of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It forms part of the transition between the Himalayan range in the north and the dusty plains of Punjab in the south. Between these two extremities lie a series of scrub-covered hills, forested mountain ranges and river valleys, encompassing several microclimatic regions that extend from Kishtawar in the north-east to Akhnoor in the south-west, and the historic town of Poonch in the north-west to the borders of Kangra (H P) in the south-east. The Shivalik hills cut across the area from the east to the west while the rivers Ravi, Tawi and Chenab cut their way through the region.
The last stop on the railway line north is Udhampur, where you can catch onward buses and hire SUVs/MUVs (Tata Sumo / Toyota Innova/ Mahindra Scorpio). However it is better to get down in Jammu and catch a taxi from there as these are more readily available.
Numerous domestic airlines fly to Srinagar and Jammu, and frequent buses and share jeeps provide connections to Ladakh and the plains. Jammu is served by frequent train services. Buses are operated by J&K SRTC to most points around the state. They offer package tour to Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, Ular lake, City tour, etc. There is Tourist information center, where one get the tickets plus info. 4wd jeeps are quicker, a little more expensive and reach more locations. Private hire jeeps are also available.
Is a temple situated at Sathrian in Roopnagar area of Jammu city. The stone temple has self-made stone Lingam. According to a legend, in the times immemorial this entire place was an uninhabited jungle, the milky cows and buffaloes used to come to the Lingam after grazing and shed entire milk on the Lingam.
32 kms. south west of Jammu situated on the banks of mighty Chenab river is the historic town of Akhnoor. This town is associated with the legend of Soni-Mahiwal. Ruins of the Indus-Valley Civilization are to be seen along the river bank commanding a panoramic view all around.
The Amar Mahal Palace is a palace in Jammu, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, which has now been converted into a Museum. It was built in the nineteenth century for Raja Amar Singh, a Dogra king by a French architect on the lines of a French Chateau. The palace was donated to the Hari-Tara charitable trust by Dr. Karan Singh for use as a museum. It has many exhibits including a golden throne weighing 120 kg, Pahari miniature and Kangra miniature paintings, a library of 25,000 antique books and many rare art collections.
Amar Mahal is situated on the right bank of the Tawi River, on a bend of the river, in Jammu. Jammu, once a princely city, is also famous for forts, palaces and temples. The Sivalik Hills or ranges to the north of the Mahal, on the left bank of the river, provide a grand view, with the Tawi River flowing in between, draining the valley. It is well located adjoining the heritage hotel known as the Hari Nivas Palace Hotel, in the heart of the city, on the road to Kashmir.
The Bahu Fort is located in Jammu city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The fort, originally built by Raja Bahulochan some 3,000 years ago, was refurbished by the Dogra rulers in the 19th century. The fort is a religious place, and within its precincts has a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, the presiding deity of Jammu. The temple is known locally as the "Bave Wali Mata temple".
The fort structure is located at an elevation of 325 metres (1,066 ft), opposite to the old town of Jammu. The fortified structure has thick walls made of sandstones built with lime and brick mortor. It has eight octagonal towers or turrets connected by thick walls. The towers have enclosures to house guards. The main entry is fit to allow passage of elephants into the fort. A water tank with access for pilgrims to take bath is located on the left entry into the fort. This tank or pond is 6.1?6.1 metres (20 ft) in size and has a water depth of 4.6 metres (15 ft).
An extensive terraced garden, known as Bagh-e-Bahu, has been developed around the fort. The subcontinent's largest underground aquarium in Jammu's Bagh-I-Bahu area is drawing a large number of tourists ever since it was opened to the public, The aquarium-cum-awareness centre comprises of 24 aquarium caves including 13 small caves for holding freshwater fishes.
The name Baisakhi is taken from the first month of the Vikram calendar. Every year, on the first day of Vaishakh, the people of Jammu-like the rest of northern India-celebrate baisakhi. Baisakhi is also known as the harvest festival and is considered auspicious especially for marriages. Rivers, canals and ponds are thronged by devotees who unfailingly take a ritual dip every year. Many people go to the Nagbani Temple to witness a grand new year celebration.
Numerous fairs are organized and people come in thousands to celebrate the beginning of the new year and watch the famous bhangra dance of Punjab. For the Sikhs of Jammu, Baisakhi is the day their tenth Guru Gobind Singhji formed the Khalsa sect in 1699. The Gurudwaras are full of people who come to listen to Kirtans, offer prayers and feast on the parsad from the common Kitchen(Langer).
The bamboo and cane crafts of Jammu and Kashmir range from bamboo splint baskets of various shapes and sizes, bamboo trays, and boxes of different sizes, fruit and vegetable bowls, ladies` bags, and table lamps and other utility items and decorative items as well. The present generation of bamboo artisans is focusing increasingly on the dictates of modern life and urban markets. The famous item made of bamboo is basket that is perhaps one of the oldest items and it is still in demand on a large scale. The artisans create an umpteen number of baskets in great varieties.
With the ample availability of raw material, the bamboo and cane crafts of Jammu and Kashmir offer a huge variety in the structures and shapes of baskets that ranges from circular, spherical or cylindrical artifacts of caskets and containers. The most commonly known form of basketry is Snake-charmers` baskets that are designed with different hues. This particular type of basket serves the purpose of storing vegetables or carrying loads for storing trinkets, clothes unspun-cotton etc. Whereas the primary use of basketry still continues, the changing patterns of the societies and more ingenious basket-makers have invented several other uses for their products. Moreover, the artisans of Jammu and Kashmir are deft in creating items like hand-fans, soft prayer-mats for the mosques and chick for doors. Even the craftsmen create items like `tokras`, `tokris`, `oval shaped containers with lids` and `chhikus` etc that are popular among the inhabitants. Another popular item of Kashmir is `Kangri` which is the handmade warming equipment, made with an earthen bowl wrapped in a net of bamboo slips.
The famous temple of Bawey Wali Mata is inside the Bahu Fort where, every Tuesday and Sunday, pilgrims throng to worship the goddess.It is said that if the Bawey Wali Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu. A little further away, on a spur opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the river Tawi, stands a temple dedicated to Mahamaya, a Dogra heroine who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders. The Peer Kho cave temple overlooking the Tawi river, the Panchbakhtar temple and the Ranbireshwar temple are the other well known Shiva temples in Jammu.
Buddha Amarnath, located amongst picturesque surroundings in the border district of Poonch in Jammu region is a shrine of Lord Shiva, considered to be second only to the Shrine of Shri Amarnathji in its religious significance. An annual 10-day yatra to this Shrine takes place from Jammu during the month of August-September every year. The yatra concludes on the occasion of Shravan Purnmashi(Raksha Bandhan day) when the Holy Mace( Chari Mubarak) is taken in a procession, symbolically leading the yatra, from Poonch town to the Buddha Amarnath Shrine.
The Gurudwara of Dera Baba Banda 25 kms from Katra, located on the banks of River Chenab, is named after Baba Banda Bairagi who was Guru Govind Singh's favourite "Saint-soldier". The Gurudwara is famous for its rich wall paintings and the 48 feet high "Nishan Sahib" made of Deodar wood which was erected by the Baba himself. Other gurudwaras in Jammu are: Sunder Singh Gurudwara, Gurudwara Road, Tali Sahib Gurudwara, Talab Tillo,Maharani Chand Kaur Gurudwara, below Gumat, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Nanak Nagar, Kalgidhar Gurudwara, Rehari, Singh Sabha Gurudwara, Raghunath Bazaar.
This is located in the erstwhile Pink Hall of the old Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex. This museum houses 800 rare and exquisite paintings from different schools of paintings viz:Basohli, Jammu and Kangra. Gold painted bow and arrow of Shah Jehan and a number carpentry tools make an important section of the display. The museum also has Shahnama and Sikandernama hand written manuscripts in Persian.
The historical Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev has been built to mark the visit of Guru Nanak Sahib. It is situated near the historic Mubarak Mandi Complex of Dogra rulers near Chowk Chabootra, Jammu. It is said that Guru Sahib while returning to Punjab via Kashmir, had rested here.
In this small Gurdwara there is a 3 feet marbled statue of Guru Nanak Devji installed by Rajput Raja Maharaja Partap Singh. During the Singh Sabha Movement when statues were removed from Gurdwaras this statue got unnoticed, in the process remaining intact. Very few people though know about this statue.
Gurdwara Nangali Sahib is situated in the lap of a scenic hill on the bank of Drungali Nallah. It is about 4km from Poonch town in Poonch district, the smallest in the 14 districts in Jand K. It is one of the oldest shrines of the Sikhs in northern India. Presently the Gurdwara complex consists of the main Gurdwara building, a langar hall (an open hall situated in all Sikh Gurdwara where `langar`, or free vegetarian food is served), and about 70 living rooms. Large number of devotees belonging to all faiths visits this shrine from all over the country every year. This holy Sikh shrine is approximately 240km from Jammu city by road. The Gurdwara was established by Thakur Bhai Mela Singhji (4th successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singhji) in 1803 AD. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited Gurdwara Nangali Sahib in 1814 and was much overwhelmed with it. He attached four villages with the Gurdwara Sahib in the year 1823.
During 1947, the original building was completely gutted down by the Pakistan supported attacking tribes` men. With the donations and efforts of the local Sangat (people having faith in Almighty) the Gurdwara was reconstructed by Mahant Bachitar Singhji. Gurdwara Nangali Sahib has remained as a spotlight of Sikhism in the state of Jand K. Although people visit this shrine daily, yet on Sundays a large congregation (Diwan) is held. A colossal function is held in the Gurdwara Sahib on the eve of Baisakhi-the birth (establishment) day of Khalsa, every year.
The highly renowned shopping market in Jammu is named after the erstwhile Raja of Jammu - Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir and the man instrumental for the merger of Jammu in Indian Union. Hari market is well known for traditional Dogra jewelleries, Kashmiri handicrafts and various dry fruits. Dry fruits are of great attention in this market, mainly walnuts and almonds. The shops in Hari market offers good quality basmati rice, dried mango peels, rajma and barfi.
If you visit Jammu, don't forget to have some purchase from Hari Market and get some milk sweets known as barfi. Other important items available here include superb hand-knotted carpets of silk and wool, apart from handicrafts like Pashmina shawls.
The city has a number of historic idgah's.Of them Ziarat Baba Buddan Shah is located in the outskrits of Jammu city at a distance of about 8 kms. towards the aerodrome at Satwari. This ziarat is very popular among all sections of society and is being visited by large number of people throughout the year. Baba Buddan Shah was borne at Talwandi in Punjab and it is said that another shrine of this Peer is located at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.
The real name of this Peer was Shamas-ud-din, Fard-i-Wahid, Imad-ul-Mulk Hazarat Baba Buddhan Shah. Other idgah's are Ziarat Baba Roshan Shah Wali near Gumat Bazar, Ziarat Peer Mitha near Peer mitha bazar. Another idgah is Panch-Peer.This Dargah is situated at a little distance from the Maharaja's palace on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The place is known because of the residence of five peers, who lived here and dedicated themselves to the meditation.
Jammu is known for its Chocolate Barfi, Sund panjeeri,Patisa and its exotic local food - Rajma (with rice) is one of the specialty dishes of Jammu. Another specialty of Jammu is Kalaadi which is processed cheese.
Dogri food specialties include Ambal, Khatta Meat, Kulthein di Dal, Dal Patt, Maa da Madra, Rajma, and Auriya. Pickles typical of Jammu are made of Kasrod, Girgle, Mango with Saunf, Zimikand, Tyaoo, Seyoo, and Potatoes. Auriya is a dish made with Potatoes. During weddings it is typical to make Kayoor, and Sund. Jammu folks love their chaats specially Gol Gappas, Kachaalo, Gurgule, Rajma Kulche etc.
35 kms, on the National Highway leading towards Srinagar is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks of Jujjar rivulet. The crystal clear, cool water of Jajjar attracts picnickers in large numbers during the summer. A Tourist Cafeteria, a Bar and a small Tourist Bungalow are the facilities provided here by JKTDC(Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation).
Baba Jitu was a simple, God loving and honest farmer who preferred to kill himself rather than submit to the unjust demands of the local landlord to part with his corp. He killed himself in the village of Jhiri,14 kms. from Jammu. A legend has grown around the Baba and his followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every him for his compassion, courage and honesty and hold an annual fair in his name.
After travelling a further 25 kms towards Udhampur, a short detour of 8 Km from the National Highway near Udhampur, leads to Krimchi, the site of one of the oldest temple complexes of Jammu. Believed to have been constructed in the 11th - 12th century AD, this group of 5 temples built on platforms also locally known as the Pandava Temples, has some interesting architectural features, which resemble the Orissa style of temple architecture.
This festival is also known as Makar Sankarnti. It heralds the onset of spring. The whole of Jammu region wears a festive look on this day. Thousands take a dip in the holy rivers. 'Havan Yagnas' light up nearly every house and temple in Jammu. In the rural areas, Custom requires boys to go around asking for gifts from newly-weds and new parents.
A special dance called the 'Chajja' dance is held on the occasion of Lohri. It makes a striking picture to see boys along with their 'Chajjas' elaborately decorated with colored paper and flowers move on the street in a dancing processio. The whole atmosphere comes alive with the pulsating drum beats.
It is a renowned Shakti temple built within the fort during the 8th century. It has been built in white marble on a raised platform of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) height. While it is claimed that it was built during 8th or 9th century, the temple as built looks modern. It is a small temple which can accommodate only a few worshippers at a time at the Mandapa, outside the sanctum sanctorum.
In the past, animal sacrifice was practiced at this temple, which has since been discontinued. Today, a priest performs a few rites uttering some religious incantations and sprinkles holy water over the animal (usually a sheep or goat) and then lets it go free. Other food offering made by devotees is a sweet dish called Kadah (pudding), after their wishes placed before the deity are fulfilled. Another special feature seen in the temple precincts is the presence of a large group of Rhesus monkeys, the largest such group in Jammu and Kashmir State. The monkeys are fed by devotees with sweets, gram etc.
Mahamaya Temple is a monument for the local heroine of Dogra community, who fought against the foreign invaders and sacrificing her life for the cause nearly 14 centuries ago. The temple is placed such that it overlooks the River Tawi and is opposite the Bahu Fort. The temple is located in a scenic place and the surroundings are picturesque.
Situated 62 km from Jammu, Mansar Lake is a beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills, over a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. On the eastern bank of Mansar Lake there is a shrine dedicated to Sheshnag, a mythological snake with six heads. The shrine comprises a big boulder on which are placed a number of iron chains perhaps representing the small serpents waiting on the tutelary deity of the Sheshnag.
Two ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narsimha and a temple of Durga are situated in the vicinity of the Mansar Lake, which are visited by devotees in large numbers. People take a holy dip in the water of the lake on festive occasions. Certain communities of Hindus perform the Mundan ceremony (first hair cut) of their male children here. Mansar Lake also has boating facilities provided by the Tourism Department. which is not fully maintained by the tourism department and no one likes to visit this place.
A few kilometers further ahead of Sudh Mahadev is Mantalai (1450 meters) surrounded by lush deodar forests. As per legend, it is the place where Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati. Besides the Shiv Temple here, one can also visit the complex created by Swami Dhirendra Brhamchari which includes a tree shaped house, an air strip, a hostel and a number of other unfinished projects. An excursion through the woods of Naina Devi 5 Kms from Mantalai provides excellent views of the mountainous landscape all round.
The oldest building in this Palace complex date to 1824. The architecture is blend of Rajasthani, Mugal and even Baroque European influences. The most stunning segment is the Sheesh Mahal. The Pink Hall now houses of Dogra Art Museum which has miniature paintings of the various Hill Schools. The Complex has a history which i 150 years old. It was royal residence of Dogra Kings. The location was carefully selected for having a commanding view of river Tawi on one side and the City on other side. The Palaces are built as a group of buildings around a courtyard.
The Complex has halls and Galleries which were used for official functions and ceremonies. As the time passed the need was felt to have separate buildings to house full fledged Royal Secretariat. These buildings were constructed around a garden cum courtyard which ultimately beacme the venue for important events for Royal audience for comman man.
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, called and best known for wonderful species of pheasants, has been established in an area of thick forests teeming with wild life. It is renowned natural habitat for a significant population of pheasants. Among the other avifauna are Indian mynah, Blue Rock Pigeon, Indian Peafowl, Red Junglefowl, Cheer Pheasant and chakor.
Spread over an area of 34 km2, the sanctuary is rich in fauna and provides refuge to a wide variety of mammals. The main species are leopard, wild boar, rhesus monkey, bharal and grey langur.
This temple is considered one of the oldest in Jammu and is linked to the visit to Jammu of the Shankaracharya in the ninth century A.D., when he was on way to Kashmir. It is considered sacred because of the self-originated Shivalinga(Svayambhuva Siva Linga).
Peer Baba, the dargah of a legendary figure Peer Budhan Ali Shah, is a very crowded destination of believers. This Muslim saint is assumed to be lived upto the age of 500 years by supporting his life entirely on milk.
The saint was a close friend of the tenth and the last guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh. Irrespective of caste and religion, believers throng this place on Thursdays to offer prayers and respect to the legendary saint.
Peer Khoh cave is a cave shrine located on Circular Road, 3.5 km from the heart of the town. There is a naturally formed Shiva lingam (swayambhu) inside the cave, which is quite unexplained, as neither its ancientness nor its causes are known. Legend has it that the cave winds down its way underground to many other cave shrines and even out of the country.
A cave temple of Lord Shiva, Peer Khoh Temple has its main deity as Swayambhu Shivling. This shrine is also known as Jamawant Cave located nearby river Tawi. The temple, placed in the midst of acacia forest and igneous rocks, is supposed to be the one of the historic and ancient shrine in the Shivalik region. It is said that this cave is the gateway to some other caves and shrines, which are placed outside India. A large number of devotees visit this cave temple during Shivaratri festival. Aap Shambu Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple and Panjbakhtar Temple are nearby pilgrim places.
Purmandal located at a distance of 40 kms from Jammu is a temple complex devoted to Lord Shiva. Also known as Chhota Kashi the it is located on the banks of the Devak the underground river. At a distance of 4 kms from Purmandal is the village of Uttar Behni called so as the river Devak takes a northward turn something rare for rivers in the Himalayan foothills. There are a century old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
On Shivratri, the town is transformed for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati here. The people of Jammu also come out in their colorful best to celebrate Shivaratri at peer khoh, the Rainbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple. In fact, if you visit the Jammu region during Shivratri, you'll find a celebration on almost everywhere.
The bazaar renowned for its age-old dry fruit shops, Reghunath Bazaar is a busy market wherein one can get designer boutiques and the shops showcases the very modern in fashion and accessories. This market is also well known for traditional Dogra jewelleries and Kashmiri handicrafts. Dry fruits are of great attention in this market, mainly walnuts and almonds. Those who like sweet burfis, this is a place to be visited.
Raghunath Temple, constructed by Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh starting in 1851 and finishing in 1857, is in the midst of a temple complex including Panjbakhtar Temple and Ranbireshwar Temple. The lovely temple complex consisting seven historical shrines adorned with a tower. The chief deities in these temples are different incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Lord Surya and Lord Shiva.
The Mughal architectural style is prevalent in these temples, amply shown by the arches, niches and surfaces. An image of the king Ranbir Singh and an idol of Lord Hanuman are placed in the entrance. Gold plated interiors are lovely.
It houses many mammoth statues of deities and a large number of 'lingams' (altar representing Lord Shiva). The temple is renowned for its revered inscriptions. A Sanskrit library, contains the rarest and richest collections of manuscripts and ancient books, is functioning in the temple. It is a perfect religious place in which historians find more valuable materials.
A small garden along the Ranbir Canal, which runs through the city outskirts, provides a cool picnic spot during the summer. The canal branches off from the river Chenab at Akhnoor, 32 kms away. Its water remains icy-cold throughout the year and its banks serve as good viewpoints and walkways.
The biggest Shiva temple in north India, Ranbireshwar Temple is one of the prime attractions in the picturesque Jammu city. It is a very ancient shrine, located in Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat. Maharaja Ranbir Singh built it in 1883, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple has a central `lingam` measuring 8-feet in height, constructed out of black stone, is the biggest in India. It was under the built of the Dogra rulers; also enshrining 12 shivlings in crystal, measuring 15cm to 38cm. Galleries with 1.25 lakh `bona lingam` brought from Narmada River, can be witnessed on stone slabs inside the temple. There are also mammoth images of Ganesha, Kartikeya and Nandi Bull.
Sanasar is the name given to the two small villages of Sana and Sar in Jammu province, India. Named after small local lakes, 'Sana' and 'Sar' are located 20 km west of Patnitop.
Shank Pal Templeis located on the Shank Pal ridge at an altitude of 2800 mts and is a 5 hr moderate trek. The 400 yr old temple, is dedicated to Nag Shank Pal. No mortar has been used, to join the stones of the temple.
Ladoo Ladi(meaning a boy and a girl, in local dialect) is a soft nature walk of 4 km, starting from Madha Top.
Shanta Gala is a pass on the Shanta ridge and offers the view of the Panchari valley on the other side of the ridge. The pass leads to the Lander area.
Surni Kund is a small pond on the high Shank Pal ridge.2 K\km from the Shank Pal Nag temple, it is a 7 hr demanding trek from Sanasar.
The cave shrine of Shivkhori, situated in District Reasi of Jammu and Kashmir state, depicts the natural formation of shivlingum. It is one of the most venerated cave shrines of Lord Shiva in the region. The Holy cave is more than 150 mts long and houses 4 feet high Svayambhu Lingum, which constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling. The cave is full of natural impression and images of various Hindu Deities and full of divine feelings. That is why Shivkhori is known as "Home of Gods". The route from Jammu to Shiv Khori is full of beautiful and picturesque mountains, waterfalls and lakes.
Situated in the town of Chanhani in the western part of Jammu, the blessed temple of Sudh Mahadev was built by Chaudhauri Ramdas of Chanhani and his son Chaudhauri Parag Mahajan about 80 years ago. Sri Masu Shahane of Sudhmahadev is said to have constructed the entrance door to the temple. The holy spot near Patnitop, it is situated at an elevation of 1225m above sea level. Pilgrims visit the shrine on full moon night of the monsoon period to worship the famous Trident (trishul) and a mace, which is believed to belong to Lord Shiva. The Devak stream originating at this place disappears enchantingly among the rocks a few kilometers downstream. The temple has a natural block marble `lingam` and goddess Parvati mounted on Nandi, the bull. The `Dhooni` (sacred fire) immortalises the spiritual accomplishments of Baba Roop Nath who is said to have attained Samadhi here. People are of the faith that the fire is burning since time immemorial, ever since Baba Roop Nath resided here.
Whipping calm, the feature of the beautiful lake Surinsar, located in the proximity of Jammu, is extra ordinary. Surrounded by thick forests in the backdrop of hilly terrains, the lake is a much loved picturesque tourist spot in Jammu region. Blossomed with lotus flowers, the lake looks like water based lotus garden in summer.
Hindu mythology points the origination of the lake to the legendary warrior Arjuna. It is believed that he shot an arrow to the Mansar land and the arrow pierced the earth and came out through at a place in Surinsar, hence both the lakes are formed.
Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the holy Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the hills of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. In Hinduism, Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. The temple is near the town of Katra, in the Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most revered places of worship in Northern India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 14 kilometres (8.4 miles) from Katra. Approximately 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine. 
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