Jammu
Jammu is one of the three regions comprising the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It consists of six districts of the state, namely Jammu (the largest city), Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Doda. Approximately 66% of the population is Hindu. Jammu is well connected with rest of India by rail from Jammu Tawi railway station: long-distance trains from many parts of the country serve Jammu Tawi.
Vaishno Devi shrine
The city of Jammu is home to the famous Vaishno Devi shrine. Nestling on top of the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1700m is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother goddess. At a distance of 61km from Jammu, the cave is 30 metres long and just 1.5m high. At the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother goddess—Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. Pilgrims enter in small groups through a narrow opening and walk through ice-cold waters to reach the shrines. According to legend, the mother goddess hid in the cave while escaping a demon whom she ultimately killed.
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