Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir

Maa Vaishno Devi

One of the most popular pilgrimage centers in the world, the sacred temple of Mata Vaishno Devi is located at Trikuta mountain in Jammu and Kashmir. Here, the Bhawan or the sacred cave is located where the goddess has naturally known herself as the three Holy Pindies. Seen by millions of pilgrims every year.

Vaishno Devi Yatra

To reach the Bhawan, one has to get the journey ticket from the registration counter and trek about 13 km from Katra. Most devotees walk both ways, with some preferring to ride ponies, while palanquins are also available for the sick and elderly. A helicopter service operates from Katra to Sanjichhatt, from which the temple is just 2.5 kilometers away.

Tips for Pilgrims

ü For a casual darshan it is advisable to avoid the peak season rush. The waiting time can be up to 12–24 hours during Navratras and holiday seasons.

ü The Yatra Access Slip or parchi must be received by all visitors, and is available at the Yatra Registration counter in Katra. It also mentions the allocated group number, which is announced at the time when the group has to proceed in a systematic manner.

ü Wear heavy woolen clothes for winter and light woolen clothes for summers.

ü Comfortable walking shoes are a must for travel.

ü Facilities like blanket store, medical services are available AT BHAWAN for the convenience of the travelers.

ü Yatra Parchi: Free of cost

The Spiritual Yatra (Katra to Bhawan)

Darshani Darwaaza

The entrance on the track is at a point about 1 km away from the bus stand which is known as Darshani Deodhi or Darshani Darwaza (Entrance Gate). It is known as Darshani Darwaza because from here one gets a complete view of the Trikuta Parbat (mountain). The word darshan means that this is the first visit of the yatra.

Ban Ganga

After the police and Yatra parchi check post, the pilgrims reach on a small bridge. Under this bridge Banganga River flows. It is considered sacred river. The name of this river comes from the two words Ban and Ganga. Baan means arrow and Ganga for the holy river Ganga.

Charan Paduka

About 1.5 kms. from Banganga is Charan Paduka, the place where Marks of the sacred feet of the Maa are believed to be inscribed on a rock. Charan Paduka's darshan does not exceed a few minutes on a normal day. Shrine Board medical unit is also set here, which is equipped with all necessary medical facilities.

Adhkuwari

There is a halfway mark on the Adhkuwari track as it is located at a distance of about 6 kilometers From Katra. The sacred cave is now about 6 km. away.

The word Adhkuwari is believed to have come from Adi Kumari, which means "The Eternal Virgin". The cave is very narrow so only one person can pass through it at a time while the entrance is comfortably broad.

Himkoti

Himkoti is located 2.75 km from Adkuwari on the new track. Himkoti is one of the most beautiful places on this track with beautiful scenic views of the entire valley. However, no traditional or religious significance is associated with this point. The Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has developed a view point, restaurant and a dosa counter here.

Sanjhichhat

Sanji Chhat is a delightful small plateau about two and a half kilometers from the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Since, the uphill slope ends at this point and due to the scenic view it provides, the place is a pleasant stop for pilgrims. A new helipad was also built here. This helipad has started helicopter service between Katra and Sanjichhat.

Bhawan

The sacred cave which is the ultimate destination of Yatris. Inside the sacred cave, the goddess has manifested herself in the form of sacred Pindies, in its three forms Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Mata Saraswati. A pilgrim can get first glimpse of the Bhawan about 1.5 km before he actually reaches there.

Bhairon Ghati

Bhairon Temple is located 1.42 km from the Bhawan. The temple is situated at the highest point of the hill. It is believed that the journey of Mata Vaishno Devi is not complete without a visit to the Bhairon temple. According to legends, Bhairon Nath was killed by Vaishno Devi.

Aarti

The 'Aarti' of the Goddess is performed twice before sunrise and twice in the evening immediately after sunset. The entire process occurs between the recitations of various shlokas and mantras. After the aarti ends outside the sacred cave, the priests distribute prasadam and charanamrit (holy water) to the devotees. This entire process of 'Aarti' takes about two hours, during which darshan is suspended.

Facilities Available at Bhawan

The Shrine Board provideds various facilities for the yatries at Bhawan, to facilitate comfortable Darshans.

Accommodation

The main Bhawan complex as well as the Gauri and Vaishnavi Bhawan complexes have furnished rooms available for rent. Dormitory accommodation is also available in the Manokamna Bhavan complex. Online booking facility is available. Spot booking is also possible at the reception counters of the respective building in case of availability.

In addition there are several large halls available for yachts. This accommodation is free of charge. No booking or permission is required to use these premises as they are kept open round the clock.

Food and Refreshment

The Shrine Board runs Bhojanalyas at Main Bhawan and Manokamna Bhawan complex. These provide vegetarian food to the pilgrims on a no profit basis. Apart from full meals, packaged snacks, beverages, mineral water and milk etc. are also available here.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities are available for the pilgrims at Bhawan. A medical unit run by the Shrine Board is situated at the Bhawan complex have all necessary medicines and emergency provisions.

Other Facilities

Apart from various other facilities including free toilet facilities, drinking water, enquiry and announcement booths are available.

Blanket Stores

The holy cave is located at 5200 feet above sea level. The nights are cool even during summers. The use of blankets will usually be required at night. For nominal and refundable security deposits.

Cloak Rooms

The facility of free cloak room is available at Bhawan. These cloak rooms are functional around the clock. This cloak room can be used to store shoes, belts, combs and all other items that are not allowed in the sacred cave. Yatries can store all their belongings here before proceeding to darshan. All cloak room facilities are absolutely free.

Things to Do

Upon reaching the Bhawan, a bath in the holy water of the bathing ghat is considered the ideal cleansing before the holy darshan.

Experience the famed Aarti held at the Bhawan before sunrise and after sunset. This sacred Aarti is performed by pujaris before the holy deity and then brought outside for the devotees. Darshan remains halted during this time. The temple also offers facilities for individual hawan/poojan for devotees, for which slots have to be booked in advance.

Where to Stay

The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provides a number of economical accommodation options at Jammu and Katra.

How to Reach Vaishno Devi Temple

To visit the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, one has to reach Katra, a small town situated at a distance of about 50 km From Jammu. Katra is well connected to Jammu and Jammu is well connected to the rest of the country by air, rail and road.

By Train

Katra can also be reached by rail. Jammu / Katra is connected to other parts of the country. In the peak season of summer and other holidays, the Railways introduce special trains for the comfort of passengers.

Vande Bharat Express from Delhi to Katra

Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express started on 5 October. Vande Bharat Express will proceed from New Delhi railway station at 6 am and touch Katra at 2 pm. Train will halt at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana and Jammu Tawi station.

The same day, Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express will leave from the Katra Railway Station at 3 pm to reach the New Delhi Railway Station at 11 pm.

By Air

Jammu Airport is well connected to main Indian airports and is just 50 kilometers from Katra. Taxis and Bueses from Jammu to Katra are easily available.

By Road

A number of Jammu & Kashmir State Transport buses, as well as private air-conditioned buses run between Jammu and Katra.

Other Images of Vaishno Devi