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 Kame 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).

Situated around 50 kilometers from Jammu, the winter capital of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Katra, a small but vibrant town serves as the base camp for this unique Shrine. While vehicular approach is possible till Katra, further, in order to reach the Holy Shrine, a pilgrim is required to undertake a trek of around 12 kilometers either on foot or on ponies/palanquins.

During the last 15 years (since the incorporation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board under 'The Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986'), with the continued blessings of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, the entire stretch of the Holy Pilgrimage has witnessed miraculous growth and development, both in terms of infrastructure and the number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Shrine. The magnificence of growth amidst challenging mountainous terrain is a phenomenon which cannot be expressed in language and though a lot of human sweat and efforts have gone into developing the entire expanse, all those who have been connected with the development vouch for the fact that without the divine inspiration and blessings of Mata, it would not have been possible to achieve so much in so little time. As about the Yatra part, compared to a few thousand in the years preceding 1986, the number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Shrine has already crossed the 500 thousand (52.17 lakhs) (in one year) mark in the year 2000 and this number keeps growing with each passing day and year.

The pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is a , unique experience in itself. The miracles are too many to narrate and too evident to raise any doubts. Away from the harsh realities and monotony of the mundane life, as one goes higher and higher on the  mountain on his way to the Holy Cave, a mystical calm and ethereal peace descends and envelops a pilgrim. And there is only one term that can perhaps describe the feelings of a pilgrim ' Jai Mata Di  '.