Vaishnadevi Temple

Vaishnadevi Temple Review

This temple, dedicated to the goddess Vaishnadevi (whose incarnations include Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali, and Durga), was built as a replica of a larger, original Vaishnavadevi temple set in a mountain cave in Jammu. Five thousand years ago Vaishnadevi herself is said to have meditated in the cave, waiting for Krishna to incarnate on earth. The temple here resembles a chunk of limestone rock and is crowded with Hindu devotees who are forgoing a pilgrimage to Kashmir for fear of terrorist attacks. Walk up the winding path to the top and crawl through the narrow, cavelike passage to the main chamber to pay homage to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The three avatars you see are, from left to right, Saraswati, Vaishnavadevi, and Kali. Encircling the room are nine idols of Durga (a fierce version of the mother goddess) representing her nine different incarnations on earth. Ring the bell and accept the coin from the priest as a blessing of good fortune.