Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir
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A holy Hindu shrine, the Vaishno Devi temple is visited by devotees from all over the world. Travelling to Mata Vaishno Devi’s Holy Shrine is a fascinating tour of the locations where Mata Vaishnavi practised her many spiritual disciplines and penances. This Durga temple is considered one of the 51 Maha (major) Shakti Peethas. It is one of India’s most prosperous and well-known religious sites. An estimated one crore people visit here during Navaratri every year. Both Hindus and Sikhs place great spiritual importance on the temple. The temple, located 61 kilometres from Jammu, is perched at a height of 5,200 feet and is tucked away in the Trikuta mountains. Various forms of the goddess Shakti, including Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati, and Maha Lakshmi, are honoured here. The shrine, which is housed in a cave, is dedicated to the aforementioned goddesses and features three sacred ‘pindis,’ or stone representations of three energy forms. Legend has it that the Pandavas from the Mahabharata epic constructed the sacred cave temple.
Nearby Places to See
Patnitop
In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, Patnitop is a popular hill station that is well-known for its endless meadows and sweeping views of the Himalayas. Patnitop is famous not just for its breathtaking natural beauty, but also for the skiing, trekking, and natural springs that can be found there. Patnitop is a great destination for thrill seekers thanks to its access to a variety of extreme sports.
In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, Patnitop is a popular hill station that is well-known for its endless meadows and sweeping views of the Himalayas. Patnitop is famous not just for its breathtaking natural beauty, but also for the skiing, trekking, and natural springs that can be found there. Patnitop is a great destination for thrill seekers thanks to its access to a variety of extreme sports.
Baba Dhansar
The holy Hindu site of Baba Dhansar can be found near the picturesque Karua Jheel in the Resai district of Jammu and Kashmir. There is a legend that Baba Dhansar, son of the serpent king Vasudeva, helped the villagers expel a demonic presence that was wreaking havoc in their lives and residing near this pond. In response to the villagers’ request for help, Baba prayed to Lord Shiva, who agreed to help him exterminate the demon. After the demon was vanquished, the villagers built a Shiva and a Nag temple in honour of the Gods.
The holy Hindu site of Baba Dhansar can be found near the picturesque Karua Jheel in the Resai district of Jammu and Kashmir. There is a legend that Baba Dhansar, son of the serpent king Vasudeva, helped the villagers expel a demonic presence that was wreaking havoc in their lives and residing near this pond. In response to the villagers’ request for help, Baba prayed to Lord Shiva, who agreed to help him exterminate the demon. After the demon was vanquished, the villagers built a Shiva and a Nag temple in honour of the Gods.
Shivkhori
Shivkhori, a holy cave on a hilltop in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s own “Heaven on Earth,” is the site of a shrine dedicated to an avatar of the Hindu god Shiva. The Swayambhu lingam, or self-manifested lingam of Lord Shiva, measures four feet in height and holds great religious significance for Hindus. It is believed that the cave is devoted to an unborn and invisible form of Lord Shiva. A divine presence of Lord Shiva can be felt as one explores the cave. In order to reach the cave-shrine, visitors must cover more than 3 kilometres of terrain, passing through beautiful, verdant mountain terrain. The cave features rock formations that resemble the Hindu deities Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Nandi, Kartikeya, and Sheshnag.
Shivkhori, a holy cave on a hilltop in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s own “Heaven on Earth,” is the site of a shrine dedicated to an avatar of the Hindu god Shiva. The Swayambhu lingam, or self-manifested lingam of Lord Shiva, measures four feet in height and holds great religious significance for Hindus. It is believed that the cave is devoted to an unborn and invisible form of Lord Shiva. A divine presence of Lord Shiva can be felt as one explores the cave. In order to reach the cave-shrine, visitors must cover more than 3 kilometres of terrain, passing through beautiful, verdant mountain terrain. The cave features rock formations that resemble the Hindu deities Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Nandi, Kartikeya, and Sheshnag.
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