During my vacation last week, I made a trip to Vaishno Devi Mandir – one of the biggest and the heavily visited shrine of the Hindus. This shrine is located in the Udhampur District in the Northern most state of India, Jammu and Kashmir, and is dedicated to the Mother Goddess.
The shrine is managed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) who are doing a stupendous effort. I was particularly very impressed with the communication, facilities and cleanliness through out.
The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and visited by millions (almost 7 million in 2006) of devotees every year. Read the Hindu legend behind this holy place.
How to get there ?
After taking an overnight train journey from Delhi to Jammu, there is a 3 hour bus journey to The Katra. This is the base camp where all the pilgrims assemble to start the 12 km (7.5 miles) hike up the hill to The Bhavan. This is the main place of worship and has the holy cave which has the manifestation of Mother Goddess – Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati.
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More details are available here.
In Katra
There are numerous hotels in Katra that can be rented overnight and provide facilities ranging from full room service to cloak rooms. And the rates are pretty reasonable too.
The Shrine Board issue receipts (one per group/family) at the Katra in order to control the number of pilgrims in the Bhavan. It is of utmost importance to collect this receipt because this is your ticket to entry to the Bhavan later.
If you are not interested in hiking from Katra to Bhavan, then alternatively you can ride a pony, palki (palanquin) or even a helicopter ride. A mix-and-match where you ride the pony oneway and walk the other way is also available. Or you can also hire a pithoo (porters) who will carry your luggage from Katra to Bhavan and vice versa. The biggest majority of devotees walk all the way up & down and backpack their change of clothes or goodies (that may include prasad – offering to the Godess) to be offered at the Bhavan.
The hike can be done on the paved path (very well maintained) or up the stairs (shorter distance but steep and tiring). The paved path and stairs meet at certain points. However one particular stairs have 529 steps, before an exit, so make sure to watch out for that (marked before the stairs) before you venture. There are numerous food and utility shops through out the hike. And then of course there are Dhabas (street-side restaurants) which serve complete meal.
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Mid Way Stop – AdhKawari
After approx 7 km of hike you’ll reach AdhKawari. This is where Mother Goddess meditated for 9 months in a cave attaining spiritual wisdom and powers. The pilgrims wait in queue to enter the holy cave.
A token is issued (one per family/group) to control the flow of pilgrims. The typical wait time after the token number is current is 3 hours. In order to save time, some of the devotees skip this optional stop over.
At the Bhavan
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The visit at the Bhavan typically start with a freezing cold water shower and a change of clothes. Even though both are optional, but highly recommended after a steep hike.
The ticket issued at the Katra is exchanged for a batch number at a counter in the Bhavan. The running batch number is clearly displayed at several places. The devotees which carry the current batch number, or lesser, can enter the queue. |
After entering the queue, you pass through a maze (which is useful to handle the crowd during rush time) and finally find yourself in front of a marble stone cave. The actual manifestation of Shri Vaishno Devi resides at one end of this cave. After worshipping the Deity (typically for 2-5 seconds because of a continuous churn of devotees) and making your wish, you head over to the exit at other end of the tunnel.
The pilgrims keep reciting "Jai Mata Di" (Hail Mother Goddess) all through out the journey from Katra to Bhavan and back.
Bhairon Mandir
After worshipping at the Bhavan, you head over to Bhairon Mandir (Bhairon Temple). A visit to this temple is skipped by a few devotees because of a further higher altitude and steepness of the hike. This is the highest elevation (approx 6600 feet) in the entire trip. Make sure to carry your camera to capture some picturesque view of the Himalayas, especially in the winter season.
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After worshipping at this temple, the downhill hike starts. However be cautious of the monkeys on the way coming back. Specifically if are using one of the commonly used bags (bought at the prasad shop) then they might pounce upon you 
Back Home
At the end, we took a bus from Katra to Jammu and then finally a train ride back to Delhi.
This was my third trip and I must say I’m really thankful for Mata’s Call.
The complete album is here:
The complete detailed planning can be done after reading the tips here.
Technorati: vaishnodevi shrine hindus temple traveltips
Useful Information. Great posting. Appreciate it.
Comment by Ghanshyam — December 6, 2007 @ 9:37 am
ARUN, THANKS FOR SHARING THE INFORMATION.MAY BE IF YOU WOULD SHARE LITTILE MORE ABOUT YOUR PLANNING FOR THIS TRIP. LIKE HOW MANY DAYS DID YOU TAKE OVER ALL? WHERE DID YOU STAY? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR THE DARSHAN? ETC.
APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.
PANKAJ SHARMA
Comment by PANKAJ SHARMA — December 11, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Plan for 2 days from Jammu to Katra to Bhawan to Bhairon Mandir and back to Jammu. Here are details:
- 2 hrs bus ride from Jammu to Katra
- Freshen up in Katra (there are bunch of hotels in Katra that provide overnight stay from Rs 150-400)
- 3 hrs from Katra to Adhkawari
- Approx 4 hrs in Adhkawari
- 2 hrs from Adhkawari to Bhawan
- Freshen up in Bhawan (freezing cold public shower but lot of fun)
- Approx 2 hrs for Darshan @ Bhawan
- 1-2 hr further hike up to Bhairon Mandir
- 1-2 hr Darshan @ Bhairon Mandir
- Hike back to the Katra (approx 2-3 hrs with stairs or 3-4 hrs with pathway)
- And then finally a bus ride back to Jammu
The wait time for Darshan will vary depending upon the season. For example winter times, the wait is much less which is certainly not the case during summer vacations.
Enjoy the trip & Jai Mata Di!
Comment by Arun Gupta — December 12, 2007 @ 6:28 am
PRICE:
Rs. 6666/- For Single Occupancy
Rs. 7777/- For Double Occupancy
Package includes:
• Accommodation as per mentioned.
• Welcome drink on arrival.
• Cookies & Chocolates in room.
• Daily Continental Breakfast at The Maple – 24 hour multi-cuisine Vegetarian
Restaurant.
• Courtesy coach between Hotel / Banganga / Hotel available every 30 minutes.
Also, include – Special Assistance at Mata Bhawan.
• Room for Wash-N-Change.
• Darshan on priority from 9 A.M till 7 P.M only.
• PARSHAD packet.
• Heavy snacks or vegetarian Thali (as per the time) for two.
• Children below 08 yrs stay free of charge sharing parent against 50 % of the meal charges.
• All present applicable taxes.
Comment by Sakshi — March 2, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
Who should we contact for the package you mentioned above.
Thanks,
Comment by lalita — June 24, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
is photography allowed when u mention taking a camera when proceeding to bhairon temple
Comment by vijesh — November 17, 2008 @ 11:57 am
Yes, allowed on the way but not inside the temple.
Comment by Arun Gupta — November 17, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
Mr Gupta
I am a 76 old man living in US. My wife and me are planning to visit Vaishnodevi shrine in late March 2009. We intend to climb up one day and come down the next day. Are we too optimistic. We are in tolerably good shape.
How safe are the temple operated cloak rooms at Katra. Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks
Unnikrishnan
Comment by Unnikrishnan — December 28, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Unnikrishnan, Anybody can comfortably climb up in 6 hours with a leisurely pace. You may consider adding couple of hours for extra breaks but sometimes spending too long might be tiring as well.
Cloak rooms at Katra are fairly safe and we used them for all our luggage. They give you a key for the locker.
Comment by Arun Gupta — December 28, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Arun
Can you pl. send me the information of the package you mentioned. I am planning to go this November. Thank you so much
Aisha
Comment by Aish — July 20, 2009 @ 11:37 am
I want to know from where i can get the package and what type of room are available?
Comment by Pratik Patel — December 28, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
Your site is very informative. My husband and I are planning to go in July. I heard that there are helicopter tours also. We are close to 70 years, with no health problems. Do you advise trekking? Thanks.
Comment by Padma — March 18, 2010 @ 6:03 am
Hello Padma,
In my opinion, Trekking is lot more fun. If you have no health problems, I’d recommend hiking all the way up and go slow, don’t rush and enjoy the beauty of natural surroundings of mata rani.
Wish you a nice trip!
Comment by Arun Gupta — March 20, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
hello arun,
really informative description by you…thanks for it.
kindly guide me that is a 2 days trip from delhi to vaishno devi ji is a right decision…our group is planning to visit dere and we have 2 days only….
do reply as soon as possible its a urgent needed info
thanks
Comment by ashish agnihotri — April 12, 2010 @ 6:37 am
Ashish,
If everything is lined up then 2 days might be good. The key part is how much wait is there at the Bhavan, most of the other factors can be controlled as buses from Jammu -> Katra and vice versa are running regularly and book the train tickets in advance. The hike up can take time depending upon group size/capability. So be aware of your group and then make a decision.
Comment by Arun Gupta — April 13, 2010 @ 6:18 am
I’d never seen an infomative man like you. However, I wish to book the helicoper ticket on 17th June 2010/18th June 2010. But, I found that every time allthe tickets have been booked. How can I avail the ticket for upward journey. And how much time take to make a darshan, since we have to board the train on 18th June from Jammu for Jammu-Rajdhani Express.
Kindly help.
Regards.
Comment by Goutam — April 28, 2010 @ 7:44 am
Hey Arun,
Thanks for info!!!
Please suggest some more things.
1)Is there any other temple apart from these 3 temples. Becoz i heard that one Kaal Bhairav temple is there any it is mandetory to go over there also to complete the darshan.
2) I am plannig to go in June last. Form the prospect of rush the accomodation will be easily available over there?
3) Can we do the advance booking in hotels?If you have any info.
4) While returning can i cover Shima.Is it nearby and commutation is properly avaliable.
Comment by Arun — May 24, 2010 @ 4:04 am
I am planning to take my elderly parents on a visit from Hyderabad to Viashnodevi and Amarnath. They cannot treck or go on a pony ride. What is the best way to plan a trip in the shortest possible time via Plane/helicopter. Any one with this info please help. Thank you.
Comment by RB — June 30, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
hey arun dis is the complete discription how we complete our journey. m readin dis after my journey.wen m read dis den m thought dat dis is written by me.
Comment by vishal dhamija — August 13, 2010 @ 11:45 am
Hello Arun,
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.
I am planing to take my mother to vaishno-devi.
For both of us its first time.
Our flight reaches to jammu on 7′th November at 2:30 PM.
could you please tell me, is tht possible we can book return flight from jammu on 9′th November at 2:30 PM.
can we start our yatra from katra on 7′th night itself.?
Comment by Ashok Kumar Jha — September 25, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
good information planing to visit there in dec 2010 was wondering if one can book helicopter tickets from katra or does it has to be done beforehand??
Comment by palak — October 2, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
hi
i am planning to go to vaishnodevi alone on 14th nov. should i start trekking in the morn or at night itself. will it be too crowded at this t ime. should i do online boking for hotels or will acc be available when i get there?
Comment by jayashree — November 8, 2010 @ 6:49 am
hi
Best time is to star early morning… Walking the Distance will be approx 6 hrs ( slow walking) and visiting all other shrines would be finished by evening . So this is the way i went about , so u can be at your hotel room by 7 PM.
Comment by vijesh — November 8, 2010 @ 7:04 am
Really very well explained post. I experienced Vaishno Devi Yatra twice. It gives me extreme piece of mind. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by vaishno devi tours — November 19, 2010 @ 11:12 pm
Thanks for sharing your tour experience with us. This will definitely ease the problems of all those who wish to visit there like me.The photographs also reflect the beauty of vaishno devi place.
I wish a happy journey to all you visiting maa vaishno devi.
Comment by temples of india — December 2, 2010 @ 9:34 am
Hello Mr. Arun,
Very nice information. My family is planning during the summer.
Can we book hotel in advance in Katra? If so how?
Is there any accommodation at Ma Mandir to stay in the night and then come back in the morning? How would be the weather during summer?
Please let us know.
Thank you so much.
Comment by sanjay — March 16, 2011 @ 7:44 pm