Adhkuwari Mata Gufa
Katra, India
- Crawl through the narrow passage
- Offer prayers to the Goddess
- Seek blessings for well-being
- Visit the holy cave shrine
Known for:
Description:
Adhkuwari Mata Gufa, also known as Adi-Kumari cave, is a holy shrine located about halfway up the Trikuta mountain, the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi, in Katra, Jammu. It is a natural cave believed to be the place where Goddess Vaishno Devi meditated for nine months before her battle with Bhairavnath. The cave is narrow and requires visitors to crawl through a small passage. Inside, a small idol of the Goddess is enshrined. The visit to Adhkuwari adds a significant spiritual dimension to the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.
History:
According to legend, Adhkuwari Mata Gufa is where Vaishno Devi took refuge and meditated for nine months while hiding from Bhairavnath. It is said that during this time, she took the form of a small girl, or 'Adh Kumari'. The cave's narrow entrance is believed to be the passage through which she ultimately escaped Bhairavnath, who pursued her relentlessly. The cave holds immense religious significance for devotees, who consider it a blessed place to receive the divine grace of the Goddess.