A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Popular the world over as Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata, which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot). The Holy Cave attracts millions of devotees every year. In fact, the number of Yatris visiting the Holy Shrine annually now exceeds one crore. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.

The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries 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.
Since the year 1986, when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (commonly called Shrine Board) was formed, the management of the Shrine and regulation of the Yatra has been vested in the Board. The Board has undertaken a number of developmental activities aimed at making the Yatra a comfortable and satisfying experience for the Yatris. The Board continues to reinvest the offerings and donations received in carying out improvements in various kinds of Yatri facilities.

The journey to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji starts with the Call of Mata. It is not only a belief but also a strong experience of one and all that the Divine Mother sends a call to her children. And once a person receives it, wherever he is, is bound to visit the Mother to receive Her unbounded love and blessings. A popular slogan in the local folklore beautifully expresses it- Maan Aap Bulandi - which means that The Mother Herself Calls! It is also a matter of experience by almost all those who visit the Holy Shrine that upon the Call of Mata, a person needs to just take one step and leave the rest to Her and his journey gets completed with Her divine blessings.
Simultaneously, it is also believed that unless there is a call or Bulawa no one can visit the Shrine or have Her blessings, howsoever high or mighty one may be.

Darshans are open round the clock throughout the year.
he Trikuta Mountain where the Shrine is located and the Holy Cave are the gateway to the dimension of Super Consciousness. And just like the Trikuta Mountain, which is one at the base but has three peaks (hence the name Trikoot), the revelation of the Mother Goddess in the Holy Cave is in a natural rock form which is one at the base but has three heads at the top. These three heads in a natural rock form are known as the Holy Pindies and are worshipped as the revelation of the Mother Goddess. The entire rock body is immersed in water, and a marble platform has now been constructed all around. The main Darshans remain to be of the three heads called the Holy Pindies. The uniqueness of the Holy Pindies is that although they emanate from one single rock form, each one is distinctly different from the other two in colour and texture.
 

Palace of Interest Near Katra
Batote is located around 125 kms from Jammu; this place is situated at an approximate altitude of 1560 metres on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway. This resort sits astride the forested slopes of the Patnitop mountain range; it also offers stunning views of the Chenab gorge. At Batote one can take nature walks and camp in the jungles.

Jhajjar Kotli stands at around 35 kms on the National highway leading towards Srinagar. Jhajjar Kotli is a tourist complex built on the banks of the Jhajjar rivulet. During the summers one can see people thronging to the place for its crystal clear and cool water.

Kud stands at around 106 kms from Jammu, on the Jammu Srinagar highway. This resort is housed at an approximate altitude of 1738 metres in the Udhampur district. Since Kud offers a bracing and stimulating climate it is an ideal picnic spot. In the winters you would require heavy woollens and in the summers light clothing would work fine. Kud is famous for its trekking options and camping sites.

Patnitop This well liked hill resort sits at around 112 kms from Jammu. Patnitop is located on a plateau at an altitude of around 2024 metres across the Jammu- Srinagar highway. Patnitop proffers gorgeous picnic spots and serene walks being enveloped by thickly wooded forests. During the winter this place is covered with a thick layer of snow, which in turn provides opportunities for those interested in adventure sports such as skiing.