In the Trikuta hills of Jammu, reached by a devotional trek of some thirteen kilometres from Katra, the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is among the most visited pilgrimages in all of India, drawing many millions of devotees each year. Unlike the classical Shakti Peethas born of Sati's body, Vaishno Devi has her own beloved tradition: the Goddess, a form of Adi Shakti as Vaishnavi, is worshipped within a natural cave as three rock forms (pindis) representing Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati — the united power of the Divine Mother.
Her legend tells of the Goddess, born to fulfil a divine purpose, who withdrew into the mountains in meditation and, pursued by the demon Bhairon Nath, at last vanquished him; at his dying repentance she granted him grace, and his shrine above the cave is visited to complete the pilgrimage.
Echoing with the cry of "Jai Mata Di," the ascent to the Bhawan through the hills is itself an act of devotion, and darshan of the three pindis the fulfilment of the Mother's call.
At Vaishno Devi there is no statue either. The pilgrimage ends at three natural rock pindis — Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati.
Source: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
