Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is a revered Hindu goddess, considered a manifestation of the Mother Goddess, and is worshipped primarily in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, located at the Trikuta Mountains near Katra, attracts millions of pilgrims each year.
Devotees undertake a trek of about 13 kilometers from Katra to the shrine, where they seek blessings. The temple complex consists of three rock forms representing the goddesses Kali, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. The journey is considered both a physical and spiritual pilgrimage, symbolizing devotion and faith.
The festival of Navratri, dedicated to the worship of the goddess, sees particularly high footfall, as...