Mata Vaishno Devi-A Journey to The Holy Shrine

08-02-2026   |   Posted By: Aditya Singh   |   29 View(s)

Mata Vaishno Devi is a Holy Shrine which is a very famous Pilgrimage site located at the Trikuta Mountains Near Katra in Jammu & Kashmir.Katra is located at a distance of around 630 Kms by Road from The capital of India-Delhi.

The Trikuta Mountain where the Shrine is located and the Holy Cave is the gateway to the dimension of Super Consciousness. The main Darshans remain to be of the three heads called the Holy Pindies. The uniqueness of the Holy Pindies is that although they emanate from one single rock form, each one is distinctly different from the other two in colour and texture.

How to Reach Vaishno Devi

There are many options available to go to the Holy Shrine.

By Road ( Around 630 Kms from Delhi )-The Drive by Road can take anywhere between 10-12 hrs and the most popular route is

Delhi-Ludhiana-Jalandhar-Pathankot-Jammu-Nagrota-Katra

Train-There are a lot of Trains which operate from Delhi to Jammu including Rajdhani Express.From Jammu, you can take a Taxi or a bus for Katra which is around 45 km from Jammu Railway Station and takes approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hrs to reach.Off lately Direct Train services have started between Delhi to Katra which takes you straight away to the foothills of the Holy Shrine.

Image of Katra Railway Station

By Air:

Flight services are available from Delhi to Jammu from where you need to go to Katra by Road.The Drive from Jammu to Katra is very fascinating full of scenic beauty.

All About the Buzzing Town of Katra

Katra is a small Town at a height of 2,474 feet.It serves as the Base Camp for Pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi.It is from here where the climb to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Begins.It has a small local population which is majorly dependent on tourism.

The increased arrival of Pilgrims to this Town has seen a lot of Development taking place in and around Katra.The Direct Connectivity to this town by rail has heralded a New era of Development.The Areas around the newly Built Railway Station has seen massive Commercialization with a Lot of New Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping Areas etc coming up.

As per statistics available from Mata Vaishno Devi Trust-Which is the governing body for managing the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine the inflow of tourist has risen from 13.96 Lak Yatris in the Year 1986 to 77.23 Lakh Yatris in the Year 2016 which is a huge jump.The Season from March till October sees a massive rush of the visitors which kind of slows down from October till the end of February.

Over the Years Katra has transformed from a sleepy town to a happening town.From Fancy Hotels to Malls from Dhabas to Fine dining-Restaurants-Katra has it all.

About Mata Vaishno Devi

There are a lot of Stories about Mata Vaishno Devi, and it is regarded as a pious place according to the Hindu Mythology.The Holy Cave is located on the Trikuta Mountains at an altitude of 5200 ft as the name suggests- Trikuta is a three-peaked mountain and the revelation of the Mother Goddess in the Holy Cave is in a natural rock form which is one at the base but has three heads at the top. These three heads in natural rock form are known as the Holy Pindies and are worshipped as the revelation of the Mother Goddess.

There is no idols or photograph of  Mata Vaishno Devi inside the cave and the Three Pindies is what to get to see during the Darshan.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is considered to be an incarnation of the three Supreme Energies. Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati

The Three Pindies have Maha Saraswati Devi on the left side, Maha Vaishnavi Devi in the middle and Maha Kaali Devi on the right side

Image Credit:Mata Vaishnodevi Live

The Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra

Registration

All Pilgrims except those travelling by Helicopter need to register themselves at the Yatra Registration Counter (YRC) of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi  Shrine Board before undertaking the Yatra to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.The Registration is done free, and the YRC is conveniently located at the Bus Stand, Katra in the heart of the city.

The Registration process involves entering all basic information about the Pilgrim and taking a photograph on the Spot at the YRC  after which a Yatra Parchi is issued, and the Pilgrims can then proceed for the trek to the Main Shrine.The Yatris are required to cross the first Check Post located at Banganga (around 1.5 kilometres from the YRC) within 6 hours of the issue of the slip, failing which the slip can be confiscated at the Check Post, and the yatri will be required to take a new slip altogether. Yatra Registration is also possible online.You can go to Banganga by auto or a Taxifrom where the Trek Starts.

The Trek

The Distance from Katra to the Bhawan as the  Mata Vaishno Shrine is commonly referred to is around 13 km.The Route is perfect for travel any time of the day or night and is always crowded with people.The entire length of the Journey reverberates with Jai Mata di, and you get to hear the bhajans of Mata Vaishno Devi coming from ultra-modern Bose Speakers which makes you forget all the tiredness of the journey and keeps you motivated.The scenery throughout the trek is breathtaking and picturesque.

Those who find it difficult to go for the Trek can opt for a pony or Palki which is readily available.The services of a Pitthu (Porter) can also be hired for carrying any baggage or even small children which you find difficult to carry.Environment-friendly auto rickshaws also ply on the route and then you also have helicopter services as well.

There are places available to store your important stuff near the Bhawan, but it is always advisable not to carry them in the first place and also remain vigilant about the things you carry as cases of pickpockets are often reported.

The Halfway mark of the trek from Katra to the Shrine brings you to Ardhkuwari cave also known as Hathimathha because its shape resembles an elephant’s head.ArdhKuwari is a 15 ft long cave and is known for the place where Goddess Vaishno Devi hid herself from Bhairav Nath for nine months, and when Bhairav Nath entered the cave, The Goddess made a new opening with her trident and beheaded Bhairav Nath.It is recommended that you do visit the Shrine in which you will be required to crawl to have a darshan.The Darshan can take some time as well.

There are plenty of options for having Meals 24/7, so one need not worry about food at all.There are Food Stalls available at regular intervals along with Washrooms which are pretty well maintained by the Shrine Board.

Visiting Bhawan  by Helicopter

Those who wish to do the Yatra by Helicopter need to book Helicopter Tickets well in advance.One way and Return tickets are available which need to be booked from the website of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

Booking return trip to Mata Vaishno Shrine by helicopter entitles you to a VIP Darshan which considerably reduces the time to have Darshan.

At the time of travel make sure to carry your Id proof for validation of the ticket.You may even be asked to show the card thru which the transaction was made to book the tickets so make sure to carry them.

The Helipad is located at a Distance of 2 km from Katra Bus Stand on the Udhampur Road.The Fascinating Helicopter ride from the Helipad to Sanjichhat is of approximately 8 minutes, and then you need to travel another 2.5 km to reach the Bhawan.A new Helipad is under construction at Sanjhichat which will further reduce the walking distance to the Bhawan.

However, the ride can only be undertaken in good weather conditions and are quite prone to cancellations.So if you are travelling keep a tab on weather conditions at Katra and at the top.

If you are undertaking a return journey back to Katra make sure that there is sufficient time to complete the Darshan and get back to the Helipad at Sanjhichat well in time to be able to make the return trip.

Prashad is readily available at a Lot of Places en route to the Bhawan and also near the Bhawan.There are Local Shops along with Stalls run by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board from where the Prashad can be bought.

The traditional offerings to Mata include a Red Coloured Chunri, Dry Fruits and Flowers.Devotees also offer Silver or Gold coins and ornaments, but Sweets and foodstuff are not allowed inside the Holy Cave and as such refrain from buying them.Offering Coconuts too can be avoided, but if you have too then, it will have to be deposited before the entry for which a token which will entitle you to reclaim your coconut after the Darshan.

Once you reach the Bhawan-The Time required for Darshan of the Divine Pindies can vary from half an hour to a few hours depending upon the rush.For Smooth flow -The Pilgrims are required to go in Batches which is usually a group of around 50 people.Once your Batch number is displayed -The Yatri’s are supposed to get in the queue and wait for their turn of the Darshan.This helps in cutting down the queue substantially and in better management of the Pilgrims.

Aarti and Pooja at Vaishno Devi Bhawan

The ‘Aarti’ of the  Mata Vaishno Devi is performed two times a day.In the Morning before Sunrise and then in the evening immediately after the sunset.

The Pujaris perform the Pooja during which the Goddess is bathed in water, ghee, Honey, Milk and Sugar and then draped in saree with ornaments amid the chanting of Sholkas and Mantras followed by lightening the Jyoti.It is believed that during the Aarti Time all the Gods and Goddesses are present inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.

After the Pooja, The Thaali with the lamp and other items used during the aarti is brought outside the cave where ‘Aarti’ of the goddess is performed in the presence of Pilgrims, and then the prasadam is distributed by the Pujaris after the Aarti.The Aarti takes nearly two hours during which time the darshans remain suspended.

These days Live Telecast of the Aarti is available on Tv and can be viewed on  Shraddha MH One Channel on a daily basis in the morning hours.

Due to demand from Devotees-A System of Individual pooja has also been introduced wherein every day in the morning, a Hawan/Poojan is performed at the Yagya shala. Those seeking diving blessing are allowed to participate in this Poojan in which their name(s), gotra etc. are chanted and prayers offered for their welfare and prosperity.

A variant of this Poojan is also allowed whereby the devotee need not be physically present. The Pooja is performed in his name, and the Prashad is sent to him by post.

Charan Ganga

Immediately after the exit towards the left-hand side of the Cave is the Amrit Kund where the taps have water coming from the Charan Ganga which is said to be the sacred water flowing from the feet of Mata.Yatris carry this Holy Water in Bottles for purifying and other pooja purposes. Empty bottles & containers are available at the Bhaint Shops run by the Shrine Board.

What not to Miss

Apart from Darshan of the Holy Pindies, you can also go in for Darshan of Lord Shiva’s Shivling in a cave, Mata Durga, Shri Ram with Sita and Lakshman, Lord Hanuman etc. These Darshans are in temples situated in the Bhawan complex. Signboards have been put up to guide the yatries to the location of these temples.

After the Darshan, you can go in for a well-deserved Meal Break in one of the many eateries around to get refreshed and then proceed for the trek to Bharion Darshan which is a distance of 2.5 km from the Bhawan.It is believed that the pilgrimage is not complete until you visit Bharion Ji.According to the Mythology, When Goddes Vaishnodevi beheaded Bharion Nath-His head fell at this place but because of his powers his head died, but the body remained alive. and when Bhairav Nath begged for forgiveness-The Goddess gave him a boon that the devotees who would come to worship her in her holy cave would have to visit his temple thereafter.

Facilities Available at The Bhawan

1.Paid Accommodation is available at Gauri and Vaishnavi Bhawan complexes for Yatris.Free Accommodation is also available in Halls in the Bhawan Complex

2.Food and Refreshment

The Shrine Board operates Bhojanalyas at Main Bhawan complex and  Manokamna Bhawan complex. These Bhojanalyas provide  Vegetarian food to the pilgrims on a no profit basis.

3.Medical facilities

Medical facilities are available at the Bhawan and are equipped to handle basic emergency situations Along with an Intensive care Unit (ICU) to cater to critical illness.

4.STD/PCOs

5.Bank branches

6.Police Station

7.Post office

8.Blanket Stores

9 Cloak Rooms

10 Bhaint Shop

11.Souvenir Shop

In short, all possible care is taken to meet the demands of the Yatris.Be it The Prashad shop, medicines, eatables and other utility items.The Bhawan has it all

Accommodation in Katra

As regards to Accommodation in Katra, there are plenty of options available.

Luxury-Country Inn, White Hotel, KC Residency

Budget- The Atrium, Lemon Tree

Low Budget-Tridev, Hill Top

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board also provides clean, economical Accommodation for the Benefit of Pilgrims at Jammu, Katra and along the trek route of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine:

– Jammu

Vaishnavi Dham, Kalika Dham & Saraswati Dham

near Jammu Railway Station

-Katra

Niharika Yatri Niwas, Shakti Bhawan & Ashirwad Bhawan at the

Bus stand, Katra.Trikuta Bhawan Dormitory accommodation

is available near YRC-11

The Shrine Board also provides Accommodation at Ardhkuwari,

Sajichattmain and near the Bhawan also.The bookings can be made for these at the Reception of respective Guest Houses (Subject to Availablity ), Enquiry & Reservation counter at Niharika Complex in Katra or online from the Shrine Board Website.The Details of Booking is available at the Shrine Board Website.However, a word of caution since the supply is very limited and the demand for rooms is huge -It is advisable to make the reservations well in advance especially during the rush period.

Eating Out

Only Vegetarian food is available in Restaurants of Katra.Sagar Ratna, Kens Food Planet, Madhuban, Manoranjan Dhaba, Jewels can be tried if you are looking for lip-smacking food.They are all conveniently located near the Bus Stand of Katra and within walking distance of each other.Besides Dominos Pizza can also be enjoyed at the Dominos outlet at The AMR Mall

In case you want to kill time while returning back to your base and need to catch a late evening Train or bus -Then you could also think of watching a movie at the newly built AMR mall which also houses a hotel and a restaurant.

The Local Market is always buzzing with Activity and a great place to buy souvenirs, dry fruits, woollen garments, hosiery, leather jackets and even local handicraft items and not to forget the chance to take a photo in front of makeshift Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine for which a lot of Photo Studios are available.

Being a small town, you can easily walk over to places or can take an Auto or a Taxi which are readily available.

The Best Time to Visit.

The Yatra is open throughout the Year but is most crowded during the summer months of May, June and July, Holiday Breaks and the New Year.So it is best to avoid these times to be able to have a comfortable Darshan as it can often take anywhere between 12 hrs-20 hrs to have a Darshan and standing in long ques can bring in a lot of discomforts.

November till Early March is perhaps the best time for a visit.

The winter months of December & January witness Snow Falls so it can become a bit too cold.When the number of Pilgrims is Between 15-18,000 on any given day, one can expect a Comfortable Trip and a Good Darshan of The Divine Pindies.

Clothing & Footwear

Summer Months is just like any other Indian City with Katra becoming too hot but the weather conditions at the top near the Bhawan is still colder especially at night time so  Carry Light Woolens as a precaution. However, during winter months you need to carry Heavy Woolen Clothing especially during the Fag end of December till January.For those wanting extra Protection against the cold-Blankets are available in plenty on a paid basis, so it is best not to carry them.

Prefer Foot Wear with flat soles preferably Canvas or Sports shoes and strictly avoid Fancy Shoes.Umbrellas and Raincoats can prove to be handy during the rainy season.Walking Stick could prove helpful in case you plan to walk.There are a lot of Places to buy stuff which might be required during the trip so do not panic just in case you forget to carry them during the Trek.The Mantra to enjoy the Yatra is to travel light and leave all that is not required at Katra.Avoid Expensive items, but still, you can carry Cameras and Mobile Phone to Capture the precious moments of the Trip.In Katra and during the Trek to the Shrine Prepaid Mobile Network of most operators can be jammed at times because of Security concerns and only Postpaid connections work.So make sure to check it out from your mobile operator.