Vaishno Devi: Difference between revisions

The '''Vaishno Devi Temple''' is an important [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to Vaishno Devi located in [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir|Katra]] at the [[Trikuta Mountains]] within the Indian [[Union territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (Union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Himalaya: Story of a 100 Visits|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHZ5CwAAQBAJ|page=47|first=Kirit|last=Rindani|publisher=Partridge Publishing|year=2016|isbn=978-1482858860}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Discovering the Himalaya, Volume 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kusLzP8H6TQC|page=429|author=S. S. Negi|publisher=Indus Publishing|year=1998|isbn = 9788173870798}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Mountains of the God|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K5AaI2PhiV8C|page=15|author=Kuldip Singh Gulia|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|year=2007|isbn = 9788182054202}}</ref> The temple is one of the 108 [[Shakti Peethas]] dedicated to [[Durga]], who is worshipped as Vaishno Devi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Famous Durga temples in India for religiously inclined souls|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/famous-durga-temples-in-india-for-religiously-inclined-souls/as51743858.cms|publisher=Times of India|date=5 April 2019}}</ref> It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers of India. Every year millions of visitors visit the temple.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vaishno Devi pilgrim footfall in 2019 lowest in 3 years: Shrine Board|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/vaishno-devi-footfall-in-2019-lowest-in-3-years-shrine-board-120010200678_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vaishno Devi likely to receive 8.5 mn pilgrims by Dec 31; highest in 5 yrs|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/vaishno-devi-likely-to-receive-8-5-mn-pilgrims-by-dec-31-highest-in-5-yrs-118122900321_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|date=29 December 2018}}</ref> During festivals like [[Navaratri]], the count even increases to one crore visitors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/vaishno-devi-bhairon-mandir-ropeway-service-starts-from-today/as67227545.cms|title=Vaishno Devi-Bhairon Mandir ropeway service starts from today|website=Times of India Travel|access-date=2018-12-25}}</ref> Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the richest temples in India. Authors Michael Barnett and Janice Gross Stein says, "Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu has an annual income of about $16 million, mainly from offerings by devotees".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L3NpAgAAQBAJ|title=Sacred Aid: Faith and Humanitarianism|page=140|author1=Michael Barnett|author2=Janice Gross Stein|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=3 July 2012|isbn=978-0199916030}}</ref>