In 2024, more than 11 lakh pilgrims visited the Vaishno Devi Temple—that is, in less than six months. Located in a tiny cave inside a network of shrines atop the 5,200-foot Trikuta mountain in Katra, the shrine attracts pilgrims and inquisitive visitors from all over the nation and the globe. For those who choose to travel there, it’s a lengthy journey that involves a 15km walk or, if they choose to take a helicopter, lengthy lineups and waiting. Planning is therefore essential. This is a thorough guide to visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple, including information on when to go, what to bring, and how to get there.
Best time to visit the Vaishno Devi temple
It is advisable to arrange your visit to the Vaishno Devi shrine during favorable weather conditions. The autumn and winter seasons, which run from October to March or April, are the ideal times of year to visit Jammu. With daily highs of no more than 30°C, the weather is nice throughout this time of year.
That implies you’ll have lots of sunshine and unobstructed skies on your journey to the shrine. Since the temple is open around-the-clock, many pilgrims decide to start their journey at dusk in order to avoid the heat and throng.
In Jammu, the monsoon season runs from July to September and brings with it moderate to severe rainfall. This is not the best season to visit the shrine because of the frequent downpours and potential for landslides and flooding. Large crowds frequently visit the shrine during Sharad Navratri (September–October) and Chaitra Navratri (March–April).
The shrine’s pathways are frequently jam-packed with pilgrims during this time of year, and depending on the number of people, reaching the summit may take more than a day or two.
How to get to Katra
By flight: If you’re travelling from Delhi, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India offer frequent non-stop flights between the two. If you’re flying from Mumbai, IndiGo is the main carrier. IndiGo and Air India offer 1-2 non-stop flights on all days except Wednesdays. If you can’t find one, your best bet is a flight with a layover in Delhi or Srinagar. If you’re in Srinagar, you can take a flight from Srinagar International Airport to Jammu Airport—the flight is just under an hour. Katra is about an hour’s drive from Jammu Airport.
By train: Take a train to Jammu Railway Station and drive to Katra (1 hour 15 minutes), or take a train to Katra Railway Station, though connectivity is limited.
By car: The main city of Jammu is about a five-hour drive from Srinagar.
Trek to the Vaishno Devi temple
The approximately 15km journey to reach the Vaishno Devi temple starts at the Katra yatra starting point. To obtain your RFID Yatra Access Card, you must register for the yatra at the Katra bus station registration center prior to starting. The duration of the hike may vary from three to six hours, contingent on your walking speed and how often you stop. You have two options: take a palki or pony ride up, or walk the entire distance. These rides are available from both the beginning point and Sanji Chhat, and they drop you off exactly at the entrance to the shrine’s line. Along the route, some numerous stores and restaurants serve prasad, food, cold beverages, water, etc
The walk has a slight elevation gain on a paved, shaded path. Keep an eye out for the ponies and palkis as you approach; they move quickly, so you should avoid getting in their way.
Take a helicopter to the Vaishno Devi temple
The helicopter trip reduces the hours-long hike to a short 5-minute ride, taking you from the helipad in Katra all the way to Sanji Chhat. You can walk up the approximately 2.5km to the shrine after being dropped off at Sanji Chhat, or you can take a pony or palki ride.
Global Vectra and Himalayan are the two operators who fly the helicopters to and from the helipad. Tickets should be purchased online well in advance, since they can sell out two to three months in advance. Together with the pilot, four to five persons can sit in helicopters. A one-way ticket costs approximately Rs2,100, and reservations are exclusively accepted on the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s official website.
Children under the age of two can ride the helicopter for free. When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive information about the exact time to arrive at the helipad on the day of your booking. This will allow you to verify your reservation, pick up your physical ticket, and receive your RFID Yatra Access Card. Don’t forget to bring a legitimate government ID.
There are plenty of seats and restrooms in the helipad waiting area. You will board the helicopter from the main helipad once all formalities have been fulfilled in a car. During the journey, taking pictures is strictly forbidden.
Your phones will be briefly taken away by staff and given back to you when you land. You may include liquids in your luggage as long as they are packaged in clear bags and don’t exceed 100 milliliters per item. Even though the ride is brief, it offers breathtaking views of Katra, the Trikuta mountain, and the distant, snow-capped Himalayas.
How to get to the Bhairavnath Temple
The Bhairavnath Temple is located about 2km uphill from the main temple complex or Bhawan. Many visitors undertake the second journey following their visit to the Vaishno Devi Temple. The hour-long walk is shorter than the first but steeper, making it more difficult. It is not advised for elderly people or people with restricted mobility to undertake this hike.
There are also ponies available for this excursion. Or you could reserve a ride on the five-minute cable car up. The aerial ropeway requires online reservations and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children under three ride for free; adult one-way tickets cost approximately Rs100. Arrive early and get ready because the line for the ropeway ride is usually lengthy.
What to pack
When visiting the Vaishno Devi temple, take a lightweight backpack or handbag with a bottle of water, some cash, and your phone. Users of Jio and Vodafone usually have network coverage for the duration of the trip; however, keep in mind that postpaid SIM cards are the only ones that function in the area.
Bring sunscreen and a hat, especially if you’re going to be in Jammu during the summer when the high is 41°C. When you arrive at the shrine complex, you will first need to wait in line to enter the main shrine, which is housed inside a tiny cave, after dropping your shoes and bags in a locker (the line for lockers is usually quite lengthy). Additionally, there is a shower room here for individuals who like to clean up before
Where to stay near the Vaishno Devi temple
Among the hotels in Katra are the following: Fortune Park, Katra by ITC; Vivanta Katra, Vaishno Devi; Ramada by Wyndham Katra Station Road, The White Hotel Katra; Holiday Inn Katra Vaishno Devi; and Lemon Tree Hotel Katra. Situated around 20 minutes’ drive from the helipad, the 100-key Katra Marriott Resort & Spa is the newest opulent hotel in the area. It boasts stunning views of Trikuta.
At numerous locations along the route to the shrine, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provides both free and paid lodging. The free lodging comprises of multiple halls at Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat, and Bhawan (near the main shrine) that are first-come, first-served. Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat, and Bhawan offer suites, double rooms, and dorms for a fee.,
