Introduction to Vaishno Devi temple

Katra to Vaishno Devi temple distance and complete updated details 2022 of the yatra are mentioned in this article.

Mata Vaishno Devi temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Durga and also worshipped as Mata Rani and Vaishno Devi and believed that the head of Mata Sati fell here.

Location: Katra, Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir

Main Deity: Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi temple is located in Katra, Reasi, on the slopes of Trikuta Hills within the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in India.

Temple is at a height of (5,200ft) above sea level. This temple is open to devotees throughout the year. It is the most visited temple in India after Tirupati Balaji temple.

HOW TO REACH KATRA VAISHNO DEVI FROM JAMMU

There are three ways

1. Bus

From Jammu by bus, it takes nearly 2hrs  and covers a distance of 43 km, charging up to 80-150Rs. As state and National highways connect Katra, Devotees can be directly reached via buses from Jammu, which run at frequent intervals. Direct buses to Katra are available from Delhi, Amritsar, Dharmashala, Patiala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, and other cities in North India.

2. Train

By train to reach Katra, takes 2.30Hrs and charges up to 110-650Rs, and covers a distance of 78 km. Several trains from different places, like Pathankot, Delhi, Amritsar, Kolkata, and Chandigarh, run to Jammu Tawi Tawi Railway station. Indian Railways recently introduced Katra’s Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link. Direct trains from Delhi are available for Katra Railway Station.

3. Taxi

By taxi, it takes 40 minutes and charges up to 1,300 to 1,600.

A FEW WELL-KNOWN PLACES NEAR KATRA ARE DERA DABA BANDA (30KM), SHIV KHORI SHRINE(85KM), AND JAMMU(50KM) NEARLY.

After reaching Katra

1. Devotees can book a private hotel.
2. Devotees can also stay at Shrine Board guest houses Niharika, Shakti Bhawan, Trikuta Bhawan,  Ashirwad Bhawan, and Spiritual growth center, and the cost varies between 200 to 3000 depending on our choice.

HOW TO REACH VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE FROM KATRA:

From Katra, devotees have to hire an auto-rickshaw to reach the Banganga River(starting point to yatra), which is 1.5 km from the bus stand and 2.5 km from the railway station. If we stay in Private hotels, they will arrange a cab or auto for free of cost.

The yatra receipt will be checked and stamped at the Banganga check post. Without a yatra receipt, devotees cannot continue their journey.

Devotees can manually take the yatra receipt or yatra parchi at The Yatra Registration counter near the Bus stand or the railway station.

 Photo identity proof is mandatory to get the yatra parchi and is free of cost. Without a yatra receipt, devotees are not allowed to continue their journey.

The number of ways to do Vaishno Devi Yatra

There are three ways

1. Trekking

Vaishno Devi yatra starts from the Banganga check post, which is 1.5 km from Katra Bus Stand and  2.5 km from Katra Railway Station.

To reach the temple, one must do a yatra or trek of 13 km to 14.5 km on two different routes with mesmerizing views.

Two different ways start from Ardhkuwari(4800ft) 06km.

2. Helicopter ride and booking details

Bookings can be made at least two months in advance. Devotees can book these services online as well as offline also.

The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board provides this service. Cancellation of booking is allowed.

Yatra Registration receipt, photo ID proof, and proof of travel document are required for booking.

Katra helipad is at Udhampur road, 2 km from the Katra bus stand, and drops at Sanjichhat, 9.5 km. Services start at 8.30 am, and it takes 08 minutes to reach sanjichhat from Katra.

From there, devotees must travel 3.5km to reach Vaishno Devi temple. Devotees can use battery cars, or they can walk also.

• 5 to 6 passengers can accommodate one flight.
• Devotees can carry a child of 2 years with age proof.
• One-way ticket fare is INR 1730 for one person and INR 3460 for two ways.
• Depending on climatic changes, the flights can cancel anytime, especially in the winter. So devotees should prepare for that.             

3. Palki, ponies, and pithoos:

These services are managed by the lol/under a municipal committee organizing the local municipal affairs. All these service owners are registered with the municipal committee and carry an identity card/token number.

The rates of all these services are fixed. Pilgrims who are overweight, not fit to walk, and physically challenged can use these services.

3 PINDIS IN VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE

No statues are inside the cave. Mata appears in the shape of three natural rock formations called the pindis.

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Maha Kali is located extreme right in black color,  Maha Lakshmi is located in the middle in pitambari or golden yellow color, and Mata Saraswati is located extreme left in white color.

Every year more than 10 million pilgrims visit the temple. Devotees make offerings to Vaishno Devi like chunri, saree, dry fruits, gold ornaments, Coconuts, and flowers.

THE NEAREST AIRPORT TO REACH VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE

The nearest airport to Katra is Jammu Airport(50 km nearly), known as Jammu Civil Enclave. Jammu is connected with major airports in India, like Mumbai, New Delhi, Leh, Srinagar, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

The major airlines operating at the Jammu Air Port include Air India, Indigo, Spice jet, Goair, Jetkonnect, etc. Devotees can get a cab from the Jammu airport to Katra.

BANGANGA CHECK POST

The journey of 13 and 14.5 km long trek to Vaishno Devi temple starts at the Banganga check post in Katra. Most devotees prefer their journey on foot, and devotees can also use horses, palkis, pithoos, or helicopters.

Toilets and food can be found every few meters throughout the yatra. Supporting a stick is helpful if devotees choose the yatra by trek.

CHARAN PADUKA

After crossing the Banganga river within 2.5 km, devotees can visit charan paduka, where Vaishno Devi’s footprints were found.

Charan Paduka temple is in white and is believed to be where Mata Vaishno Devi stopped over to check if she was still being chased by Bhairon Nath, the disciple of Mahayogi Guru Goraksh Nathji.

The feet impression of Mata Vaishno Devi can be seen on a rock slab in this temple.

ADHKUWARI

After the journey of 6 km, devotees reach Adhkuwari, which means we have completed half of our yatra. In between, devotees can visit the bathing ghat.

The word Adhkuwari means “The Eternal Virgin.” When she was young, Vaishno Devi disappeared from the Bhandara organized by Pandit Shridhar. She halted at Banganga, charan paduka, and from there, she reached Adhkuwari.

The Ardhkuwari cave is in a small womb shape. It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi meditated and stayed here for nine long months before beheading Bhairavnath. The exact spot where Mata meditated is at the right hand inside the cave.

As Mata Vaishno Devi meditated in a womb-shaped cave for nine months, this cave became famous by the name of Garbh Joon, which comes from the word Garbh Yoni means womb.

From Adhkuwari devotees can reach Vaishno Devi temple on 2 routes.

The old route goes to Vaishno Devi Bhawan via Hathi Mattha (Hathi means elephant, and Mattha means forehead) and Sanjichhat.

From Sanjichhat (9.5 km) to bawan (13 km) is around 3.5 km, a downhill walk. If you decide to reach Bhawan after visiting Bhairon Ghat (14.5), it will be 7 km. From Bhairo ghat to Bawan is nearly 2 km.

KATRA->BANGANGA->CHARANPADUKA->ADHKUWARI->HATHIMATTH->SANJICHHAT->BHAIRONGHATT(OPTIONAL)->VAISHNODEVI BHAWAN (Old Route)

On the New route to Vaishno Devi Bhawan, we can take a battery car from Adhkuwari to Bhawan, which covers a total distance of 7 km.

The booking facility is available at Adhkuwari, but it is better to book it online. The new route was very clean, and some food stalls were also available. We can see some people selling fruits and tea/coffee.

KATRA->BANGANGA->CHARANPADUKA->ADHKUWARI->HIMKOTIMARG->VAISHNO DEVI BHAWAN (New Route)

Tarakote Marg recently opened as an alternative track between Banganga to Adhkuwari

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the alternative 7 km track to Vaishno Devi on 19 May, which was completed in seven years at the cost of 80 crores to control the rush of pilgrims on the existing 6km track.

Tarakote Marg has 2 Bhojanalaya, seven toilet blocks, and four viewpoints. The medical facility is also available in this marg 24/7.

Tarakote Marg is designed without any steps, and interlocking antiskid tiles make walking easy. The entire track has been covered with blue-roofed sturdy shelter for pilgrims’ safety.

16 water ATMs have been installed to provide high-quality drinking water to pilgrims at approximately 400-500 meters. The entire track has been planted with herbal plants, flowering, and avenue trees.

LED lights have been installed for the power supply throughout the way. Tarakote Marg made it so comfortable for pilgrims to continue their yatra from Katra to Vaishno Devi temple

BHAIRO TEMPLE

If Devotees choose a new way, after the completion of Mata darshan, they must go to Bhairo temple, which is nearly 2 km from Bhawan.

You can also have a horse ride to Bhairo temple. It is believed that the yatra could not have been completed without the Darshan of Bhairo temple.

From there, reaching BaanGanga(the starting point) will take a journey of 14.5 km. Devotees can rest at the guest house in Bhawan, which can be pre-booked.

Devotees can also choose to travel by horse, palki, and pithoos. For senior citizens and people suffering from health issues, helicopter transport is the most convenient and fastest way to get there.

VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE TIMING AND AARTI DETAILS:

Vaishno Devi temple is open to devotees throughout the year for pilgrimage. Devotees can enter the temple premises from 5.00 am to 12.00 pm, after which the temple is shut down again and open daily from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

Darshan will not be available during Aarti’s 6.20 am to 8.00 am and 7.20 pm to 8.30 pm daily. Aarti is the main reason for the enormous queues occurring twice a day.

Vaishno Devi’s live Darshan broadcasts the daily Aarti and Pooja on Tv. Those who cannot visit the temple can do Mata Darshan live on TV.

HISTORY OF VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE:

Mother Goddess used all her powers to create a young and beautiful girl to spend her life on earth in righteousness. She was born to Ratnakarasagar and Samriddhi, as they were the devotees of Devis.

She was named Vaishnavi and used penance and meditation to increase her sphere of knowledge. Lord Rama, during exile, visited her. As soon as she recognized lord Rama, she asked him to allow her to merge into him.

But Lord Rama knew it was not the right time and prevented her. He told her that the appropriate time would finally come in Kaliyug when he (Rama) would be in his incarnation of ‘Kalki.’

Lord  Rama asked her to meditate at the Trikuta base to become a blessing for all humankind.

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Saint Goraknath comes to know about Vaishnavi, and he sends Bhairo Nath to enquire about her. He was attracted by her beauty and decided to marry her.

As soon as Vaishnavi learned about Bhairo Nath’s thoughts, she left the ashram and went to the mountains.

He followed her to the mountains. She stayed at Banganga, charan paduka, and Adhkuwari,  after which she entered the cave.

When he continued to follow her, she took the form of kali and cut off his head. After death, he realized that the goddess was not any ordinary girl, and he begged for forgiveness.

As Mata forgave Bhairo Nath, she blessed him with a temple that would come up exactly where Bhairo Nath’s head fell.

It is believed that the devotees who want to complete the pilgrimage successfully have to go to the Darshan Bhairo Nath temple without fail. Then only the yatra will get completed.

FREE ACCOMMODATION AT VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE:

Several halls have been provided at sanjichhat, Adhkuwari, and Bhawan for the convenience of devotees.

The devotees can rest in these halls where toilet facilities have also been made. The Prasad Seva is at sanjichhat and some other places, which are open 24/7.

There is also a free cloakroom facility at the main Bhawan complex where the devotees can deposit their valuables before proceeding to the Darshan.

Mobiles and cameras are strictly not allowed. This free accommodation facility helps pilgrims to get good rest to continue their yatra from Katra to Vaishno Devi Temple.

ROPE WAY IN VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE:

It connects from Vaishno Devi bawan to Bhairo Nath Mandir, the one-hour trek from Vaishno Devi temple to Bhairo Nath is tough, but it can be covered in 5 minutes with the ropeway.

The air-conditioned cable car can carry 45 people at a time and is operational one way only. The time is around 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. It will cost 100 per person.

ONLINE BOOKING SERVICES FOR VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE:

Shre Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board’s official website provides online bookings in advance for convenience to devotees regarding the room, helicopter, Aarti, Pooja, battery car, yatra registration slip, etc.

For online booking, devotees can register through the official website www.maavaishnodevi.org. Create a username and password, and proceed.

VAISHNAISNO DEVI SHRINE BOARD DETAILS:

The management of the yatra and all the activities related to the temple are overseen by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board. The board was set up in August 1986 under the “Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988(Act No.XV11 of 1988)”.

The Shrine board’s official website is www.maavaishnodevi.org, and the mobile app is MATA VAISHNO DEVI. In case of any queries, devotees can contact the 24/7 call center at 01991234804.

MEDICAL SERVICE AT VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE:

Free medical service is available at Katra, Banganga, Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat, Himkot, Bhairon, and Bhawan. In case of any emergency, immediately report to the nearest medical aid center. First aid kits are available in all viewpoints and bhojanalayas.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

Devotees can visit the temple throughout the year. The best time to visit is from March to June and October to November, as the weather is pleasant and comforting. 

So, many of the pilgrims plan their trip during this time with family, which makes a massive rush to the temple.

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According to my personal experience, to enjoy the mystical experience and the beauty of nature, one should visit the holy place from December to February as we can experience snowfall and the natural beauty of Vaishno  Devi temple.

But the cold climate conditions with sub-zero temperatures are difficult for kids and older adults. One should carry heavy woolen clothes, windcheaters, caps, gloves, umbrellas, raincoats, and shoes.

Blankets are available in Bhawan. The market is famous for dry fruits of the best quality apples, shawls, and sweaters.

STAY AT VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE

Devotees can plan the yatra trip with family or friends for 2 to 3 days in hand. If it is less, the yatra will be a bit tiring. Devotees can spend one night on Katra.

If devotees choose to travel by trekking, a night of good sleep and rest is a must and should be done before starting the trek.

After the completion of trekking, devotees can go for Darshan and rest one night at Bawan and return. As the return yatra slopes downhill, devotees can finish it very quickly in less time when compared with uphill.

If devotees plan to complete the yatra by helicopter, then 1 to 2 days is enough. If devotees plan to complete the yatra by trekking, then 2 to 2.5 days should be OK with a roundtrip journey with trekking and darshan time.

Devotees can complete the yatra in different ways and be back to Katra from Vaishno Devi temple

Conclusion

Maa Vaishno Devi Yatra is considered to be a blessing for all devotees. According to the followers, visitors to this sacred site grant Moksha by releasing one from the cycle of birth. There are no idols or images of gods inside Vaishno Devi Mandir’s sanctum. It differs from most other Hindu temples and is a must and should-visit place in our lifetime.

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