Vaishno Devi Jammu | How do You Reach Out from Katra?

Vaishno Devi Jammu | How do You Reach Out from Katra?

Vaishnodevi is a significant spiritual and tourist destination amid the Trikuta Hills in India's Jammu and Kashmir territory. The nearest town for accessing the shrine is Katra. Devotees from all over India and around the world flock to this divine pilgrimage site to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishnodevi. Being located on the edge of the Trikuta Hills, reaching the temple involves trekking, but for those who dislike trekking, alternative options are available to reach the destination.

**How to Reach Vaishno Devi in Jammu**

There are many ways to reach Vaishno Devi across India, and people traveling across the country can reach Vaishno Devi.

By Train

Katra and Jammu Tawi are the nearest railway stations to reach Vaishno Devi. Katra railway station is approximately 10 km from the base of Katra, while Jammu Tawi station is about 50 km from Katra. Upon arriving at either station, you can take a bus or a direct cab to reach the Katra bus stand.

By Road

Katra is easily accessible from major cities like Jammu, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. Though the road distance is considerable, one can plan a road trip as the roads are in good condition.

By Air

Jammu Airport is the nearest airport, and Katra is 50km from the Airport. Jammu can be reached via major cities like Delhi, Srinagar, and Mumbai via Air.

**History of Vaishnodevi**

According to legend, Vaishno Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, and her temple is located in the Trikuta Hills of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India.

The story goes that Vaishno Devi was born as a human girl named Vaishnavi, who was deeply spiritual from birth. She was an embodiment of the combined energies of Laxmi, Saraswati, and Durga, sent to Earth to guide humanity. She spent her life meditating and helping people. However, a demon named Bhairavnath became obsessed with her. To escape his pursuit, she fled into the mountains and hid in the Trikuta Hills. When he followed her, she warned him, but when he ignored her warning, she ultimately revealed her divine form and beheaded him. The place where she shed her human form is now known as the caves, and even Bhairavnath was forgiven and built a temple at this site.

**My Experience of Vaishno Devi Trek with my Wife**

Everything began with the immediate planning of exploring an unexplored place in India. It was the end of March, and I needed a much-awaited break from my office work. We started with a random discussion and made a plan for Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar. However, one day, out of the blue, I received news about an important meeting that required me to reduce my holiday leave. My initial plan was for an 8-day holiday, which was cut down to 6 days later. I had to cancel my trip to Kashmir and decided to explore only Jammu, specifically Vaishno Devi. They say, 'When the call comes, you have to go. My wife and I planned to explore Vaishno Devi.

As decided, we started from the Tejas Rajdhani Express from Surat to Delhi; however, there was no concrete plan on how to reach our final destination, but we wanted to get there by hook or by crook.

On the way, I thought I would reach Delhi by morning and explore a few places in Delhi until evening, and by the time it got dark, I would then take a trip to Katra. But guess what? We arrived in Delhi on time but could not explore the city because it was Monday, and the tourist spots in Delhi tend to be closed on Mondays. Major attractions like the Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, and the Red Fort were closed on the day. In the end, we explored the Science Museum near New Delhi station and reached Kashmiri Gate by 5pm to catch the bus to our next destination. I had booked this bus online through RedBus directly to Katra. It was a 13-hour journey from Delhi to Katra.

By the time we reached Katra, it was 8 a.m. We freshened up by taking a room for an hour and then moved on to create our RFID card, which serves as our access card to begin the Vaishno Devi journey. We started our trek at 9 a.m. from the Katra bus stand, heading towards Banganga, which is 1 km away and serves as the first checkpoint and entrance gate to Vaishno Devi.

People have tied their ribbons while returning from a trek.

From this point, there are two routes available: the Tarakot road, which is a newer path for those who prefer to trek without the distraction of horses and ponies, and the old route that passes by the Charan Paduka temple, dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi. Please note that the Tarakot route is 3 km longer than the old route. We chose to take the old route and continued our trek while chanting, "Jai Mata Di."

Charan Paduka Temple is the second phase of the trek while ascending to the peak.

On the old route, there are two options for travelers: one option features stairs carved into the stone, while the other is a zigzag path designed for horses, ponies, and palkhis (palanquins). The stairs are shorter than the zigzag route but require good endurance and stamina to climb.

After a long walk of nearly 6 hours and covering 6 kilometers, we reached the second phase of our journey: the Ardhkuwari Caves. These caves are known as the place where Lord Mata Vaishno Devi meditated for 9 months. However, access to the caves is limited to a certain number of people each day, so you might need to wait for 2 to 3 days to secure a reservation for entry. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we missed the opportunity to visit because the waiting period was 48 hours, so we decided to move on to the main shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.

Adhakuwari  Temple has caves next to it.

If you trek from the Tarakot route, you'll arrive just 500 meters from Ardhkuwari, but you will need to backtrack another 500 meters to visit the caves. Please note that this area has many hotels and dharamshalas available for accommodation on a paid and free basis, and you can take a long break if you wish, just like we did.

We continued our walk further through the small tunnel, which was quite a distance from Bhavan. One thing I must mention is that during our first trek, we didn’t feel any leg pain, thanks to the blessings of Mata. Along the route, you may see many monkeys that are eager to snatch snacks from your hands, so be careful and try not to carry anything visibly.

After another three hours of trekking, we were finally close to the main Bhavan, where we could catch the first glimpse of the Vaishno Devi temple. I was overwhelmed by its beauty. The temple is built at the edge of Trikuta Mountain and looks marvelous. For a moment, I couldn’t fathom how it was constructed at such a height of 5,400 feet—hats off to the engineers!

As we started ascending the winding path to Vaishno Devi, every step filled me with a mix of exhaustion and devotion; my heart was pounding with effort and faith. The cool mountain breeze carried whispers of prayers, and tears welled in my eyes as the shrine finally came into view, radiating peace and divine energy. It’s a place visited by many tourists, both Indian and foreign, throughout the year.

Upon reaching the temple, the first thing we did was freshen up and take a cold water bath before standing in line to enter the actual Vaishno Devi Mata caves.

View of the Vaishno Devi Shrine at night

We stored our baggage in lockers, including our mobile phones and camera, and began our final journey to the divine temple. It was 10 PM by the time we reached the main temple, and the temperature was around 15 degrees with a cool breeze, making us feel quite chilly. 

Durga Bhawan is exactly opposite to the main shrine, and it also has digital lockers.

The final glimpse was breathtaking as we got to see Mata Vaishno Devi in the forms of Saraswati, Kalbhairavi, and Vaishnavi. There are no statues representing them; instead, they are present as stone structures within small caves carved into the mountainside. After we received the final blessings, we took out our blankets and slept in one corner of Durga Bhavan, directly opposite the main temple. Many people were also sleeping on the road that night because there were limited accommodation options during peak tourist season.

The next day, after freshening up, we traveled an additional 3 kilometers to seek the blessings of Bhairavnath. It is said that a visit to the Vaishno Devi shrine is incomplete without going to the Bhairavnath temple. The temple is located at the top of a mountain, and we opted to take the ropeway for this journey and reached Manokamana Bhavan to catch the Ropway. The final 3 kilometers are quite steep, but you can reach them by ropeway as well. From there, you can glimpse the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding Kashmir valley. I must say that visiting Vaishno Devi at least once in your life to seek blessings is truly worthwhile.

The ropeway ticket counter has a fare of 100 INR per person for up and down.

Trek route via Tarakot 

**Ideal Time to Visit Vaishno Devi Shrine**

Vaishno Devi is a shrine that attracts many tourists throughout the year. The ideal time to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine is between March and October, when the weather is generally pleasant and comfortable for the long uphill trek. During these months, temperatures are moderate, avoiding the harsh chill of winter and the intense heat of summer. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are especially favored, as the clear skies and mild climate enhance the scenic beauty of the Trikuta Hills, making the journey even more enjoyable.

One of the most spiritually significant times to visit is during Navratri, which occurs twice a year: once in the spring (Chaitra Navratri) and once in the fall (Sharad Navratri). These nine-day festivals are dedicated to Goddess Durga, and the entire region comes alive with festive lights, devotional songs, and an influx of pilgrims from across the country..

Although winter (November to February) has its own charm with snow-covered peaks, it is less ideal for trekking, especially for the elderly or those unaccustomed to cold climates, as temperatures can drop significantly.

**Places to Stay around Vaishno Devi Shrine**

There are several comfortable and convenient places to stay around the Vaishno Devi Shrine, catering to everyone from budget pilgrims to those seeking more comfortable or deluxe accommodations. The main base for the Vaishno Devi trek is Katra, where most accommodations can be found. Additionally, lodging is available along the trekking route and near the Bhawan (the main shrine).

Private stays can be booked online through private websites. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board offers clean and comfortable accommodations in Katra and along the route to the Bhawan. </><>

In Katra, you can find:

- Niharika Bhawan

- Shakti Bhawan

- Trikuta Bhawan

These can only be booked online via the Shrine Board's official website.. 

Other accommodations include:

- Sanjichhat Bhawan (near the Helipad)

- Bhairavi Ghati Bhawan (near the Bhairavnath Temple)

- Bhawan Complex Dormitories (near the main shrine)

These options are ideal for resting after your Darshan. It's important to book these accommodations well in advance.

www.maavaishnodevi.org

**Options to reach Vaishno Devi Shrine from Katra**

Vaishno Devi can be reached from its base location, Katra, via multiple methods:

1. **On Foot (Trek)**  

   The trek is approximately 14 km one way, featuring stone-carved stairs and a zigzag trail. The route to follow is: Katra - Banganga - Charan Paduka - Adhakuwari - Bhawan.

2. **Pony/Doli (Palki) Services**  

   Ponies are available, with costs ranging from ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 one way. This option is suitable for those who need assistance but can still walk some distance.

3. **Palkhi (Doli)**  

   The Palkhi is carried by four people and costs around ₹4,000 one way.

4. **Helicopter Service**  

   Helicopter service is available from Katra Helipad to Sanjichhat Helipad. The main Bhawan is still 2 km from Sanjichhat. The cost for the helicopter is approximately ₹2,200 per person.

5. **Electric Vehicle**  

 Limited electric vehicle services are available, and booking can be made online at a charge of around ₹500 per person.

On Foot (Trek)

Approx 14km distance one way with stone-carved stairs and zigzag trail.

Route to follow Katra-Banganga-Charan Paduka-Adhakuwari-Bhawan.

Charges for all rides to Vaishno Devi

**Food Availability at Vaishno Devi Shrine**

Around the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route and at the Bhawan complex, there is an abundance of food options that cater to pilgrims' needs at every stage of the trek.

Many restaurants and cafes offer North Indian cuisine, while numerous bakeries and fast-food stalls are available from the base to the Bhawan. 

Prasadam counters are located at various points along the route, providing free food to pilgrims.

Along the trek, Vaishno Devi Shrine restaurants are available, offering reasonably priced meals with a limited menu. For those who prefer Italian food, McDonald's and Domino's can be found at the main complex.

Free water services are available every kilometer along the route for trekkers.

Many restaurants and cafes are available that serve North Indian cuisine. Many bakeries and fast food stalls are available from the base to till Bhawan.

Prasadam counters are located at different locations of the phases that serve free food to pilgrims.

Along the trek, the Vaishno Devi Shrine restaurant is available with reasonable rates and a limited menu. Those who prefer to have Italian food, McDonald's, and Domino's are available at the Main complex.

Free water services are available on every kilometer route to trekkers.

**Things to Note Before Visiting to Vaishno Devi Shrine**

• You must have an RFID card to start your journey to Vaishno Devi, and it can be made only offline, where you need to have a physical copy of the Aadhar Card of each person. There are no charges for it.
• RFID counters are available at Katra bus stand, Katra railway station, and Banganga check post.  RFID counter timing 7am to 9pm
• Night trek is preferably to reach the top 
• If you plan to trek, then keep nonusable  stuff at the lockers
• Reaching to top via Pony, palkhi, Electric Vehicle, and helicopter booking is done well in advance via shrine websites, including accommodation
• Be aware of monkeys on the route
• Rental blankets are provided at Bhawans complex, which charges a 100 deposit per blanket and it can be returned once you return the blanket. This is needed if you don't get any stay available at Bhawans.
• Do carry warm clothes and an umbrella.
• Do not litter the area around.