Check answers to all the queries and question arising for Vaishno Devi trip. Get all the authentic replies to frequently asked questions for Vaishno Devi tour plans. Here are compilation of major questions & answers helping all to get right information and plan a holy visit to Vaishno Mata.
Katra is located at a distance of 50 km from Jammu. Jammu is well connected with major destinations of India by road, rail and air. Taxis and cabs are easily available for Katra from Jammu airport and Jammu Railway Station. Regular bus services between Jammu and Katra operate from the General Bus Stand at Jammu. Even Roadways and Private Deluxe buses also runs from Jammu for Katra.
Before proceeding to Bhawan for Darshans please ensure the following:
The holy cave of Vaishno Devi is situated at a distance of 13 km from Katra. On foot yatra starts from Darshani Deodi. The time taken to complete the journey by walk varies according to the weather, your fitness and crowd. For a physically fit person it takes around four to five hours to reach the Holy Bhawan.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board offers clean and economical accommodation services for the yatris. Accommodation at Jammu is available at Vaishnavi Bhawan, Kalika Dham and Saraswati Dham. At Katra you can stay at Niharika Yatra Niwas, Shakti Bhawan and Ashirwad Bhawan or at private hotels. One can stopover at Trikuta Bhawan, a 700 bedded accommodation. Dormitory accommodation is also available at Jammu, Katra and Adhikuwari Bhawan. Yatris can also plan to stay at Adkuwari, Main Bhawan and Sanjichatt.
The advance reservation of rooms/dormitories at all Shrine Board Guest Houses is done at the Enquiry and Reservation Centre of the Board at Niharika Complex. You can also book the rooms online. It is advisable to book the rooms in advance as during the peak season it becomes difficult to get a room.
Donations made by the pilgrims are purely used by the Shrine Board towards maintenance of the holy shrine. It is also used for the development of infrastructure facilities for the visiting pilgrims. Offerings towards the shrine can be made in cash or through demand drafts or cheques. Various donations counters has been set up by the Shrine Board where devotees can offer donations. There centers are available at Bhawan, Adkuwari, Sanjichatt, Bhawan, Enquiry and Reservation Section at Nikarika, Katra and at Central Office of Shrine Board located at Katra. Computerized process has been developed at these donation centers and has well trained manpower.
After making the donations, a printed donation receipt is issued to the devotees. Devotees can make the cash donations at danpatras that are located inside and outside the Holy Cave.
Many ponies, pithoos or palkies services are available for reaching the Holy Bhawan. You can contact the contractor’s office at Bhawan, Katra or Adhkuwari and hire a registered ponies, palkies or pithoos. The rates of these ponies, pithoos or palkies are fixed and approved by the government. Yatris must make sure to note down the registration number of the person engaged for reference purposes in case of urgency.
The best season for Vaishno Devi Yatra is March to October. Although Vaishno Devi is open throughout the year, but the climate during these months is pleasant and ideal to enjoy the pilgrimage. For a quiet yatra, avoid visiting Vaishno Devi during Navratras.
At Bhawan, during summer season temperature gets moderate and reaches 30 °C. In winters mercury drops down to sub-zero level and reaches -5°C. Winters are accompanied by heavy snowfall during November, December & January months and weather gets freezing cold.
All the pilgrims are required to get registered at Yatra Registration Counter at Katra Bus Stand before moving further from Katra. The counter is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. A Yatri Parchi (slip) at free of cost will be issued at the counter on getting registered. During the peak season clearing capacity at Bhawan may get exceed, so in such a case a temporary waiting slip is issued and yaris are held back at Katra. It is later converted into final slip on first come first served basis.
Pilgrims will have to get the yatra slip verified at Banganga slip check post and Bhawan slip check post. On arriving at Bhawan, a fresh group number is assigned to the pilgrim which is stamped on the Yatra Parchi collected from Katra. It is necessary to have this number for having Darshan at Bhawan.
Devotees of all age groups can travel to Vaishno Devi. It is absolutely safe and convenient. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has developed many facilities on the trek route to Holy Bhawan for the yatris. Adequate facilities like medical camps (24 hour charitable dispensary), oxygen cylinders, accommodation, catering, porters are available at Katra, Bhawan, Banganga, Sanjhichatt, Adkuwari. A 24 hr ICU is also present at Bhawan. Many ponies, palkies or pithoos facilities on the routes are also available.
But if a person is suffering from breathing problems, asthmatic, orthopedic problems or some other ailments, then it is advisable to proceed for the yatra after consulting a doctor and due medical check-up.
The nearest railway station to Vaishno Devi is Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station (20 km). If you plan to travel by air then Jammu Tawi Airport is the nearest airport that is 46.7 km away. Many buses ply to Katra from major cities of India. You can also book a taxi or a hire a cab.
Katra is the base camp for Vasihno Devi temple trek. From Katra it is a 13 km uphill trek to Holy Bhawan. Devotees can reach the temple by waking or by ponies, coolies or dandis. There are two routes to the Vaishno Devi Holy Bhawan-main route and alternative route. Main route path is well pucca and tiled. The alternative route is 500 m shorter and no palkies are allowed on this route.
The trek to Vaishno Devi temple starts from Katra. It is a 13 km trek and a good ascent. The two routes for reaching the Holy Bhawan of Vaishno Devi are main route and alternative route. The main route to the Holy Bhawan is pucca and well paved. More then 5 km of the route has been covered with rain shelters and waters points are also present along the route. Proper lights have been installed on the route so you can move in the night also.
Alternative route is 500 m shorter then the main route. But no ponies are allowed on this route. The route starts from just below Adhkuwari near Indraprastha View Point and ends just short of the Bhawan.
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Shall we have to reserve rooms in Katra and near Bhavan in advance or can get easily after arriving Katra.
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