2025 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board | Mint Souvenir Token

The India Government Mint, Hyderabad, issued silver souvenir tokens in 2025 for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra. These sets were made available exclusively through the temple counter and prasad boxes.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was established in 1986 under the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act to manage and administer the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and its associated facilities. Headquartered at Katra in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Shrine Board is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth, safe and organised conduct of the pilgrimage.

The holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is situated in the Trikuta Hills at an altitude of approximately 5,200 feet above sea level. The shrine is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, who is revered by millions of devotees as a manifestation of the Divine Mother. The pilgrimage begins at Katra, from where devotees undertake the journey to the Bhawan, covering a distance of approximately 13 kilometres by the traditional route.

The sanctum of the shrine houses the sacred three Pindis, which are worshipped as the manifestations of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. The unique spiritual significance of the holy cave and the traditions associated with Mata Vaishno Devi have made the shrine one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India.

The Shrine Board manages a wide range of facilities for pilgrims, including accommodation, sanitation, drinking water, medical services, food arrangements, cloakrooms, information centres and other essential amenities. It also maintains and develops the pilgrimage routes, lighting, shelters and other infrastructure to make the journey safer and more comfortable for devotees.

The Shrine Board has introduced several modern facilities and technological services over the years to improve pilgrimage management. Facilities such as online registration, accommodation booking, helicopter services, battery-operated vehicles, passenger ropeway services and other transportation options have provided pilgrims with additional means of undertaking the journey.

The Shrine Board also places considerable emphasis on cleanliness, environmental protection and the preservation of the natural surroundings of the Trikuta Hills. Various initiatives have been undertaken to manage waste, maintain sanitation and promote environmentally responsible pilgrimage practices.

The activities of the Shrine Board extend beyond the administration of the shrine. It has undertaken several educational, healthcare, charitable and social-welfare initiatives for the benefit of the local population and pilgrims. These initiatives reflect the broader philosophy of service associated with the shrine.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has a special place in the religious and cultural landscape of India. Devotees from different parts of the country and from abroad visit Katra throughout the year to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi. The pilgrimage has also contributed significantly to the development of Katra as an important religious tourism destination.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board continues to balance the preservation of the shrine's spiritual traditions with the requirements of a modern pilgrimage centre. Through its administration, infrastructure development and welfare activities, the Board has played an important role in preserving the sanctity of the shrine while providing essential facilities to millions of devotees.