Mata Vaishno Devi is sacred pilgrimage, nestled in the peak of Himalayas at a small town of Jammu Kashmir, Katra, attracts devotees around the country. The Vaishno Devi yatra is a journey that changes your thought perspective, a journey of transformation of soul, mind and body.
In this blog post, we will explain everything, budget, how to reach, hotels, what to carry and ways to trek. Stay tuned with me and begin journey with Jaikara “Jai Mata Vaishno Devi”.
RFID Card for Mata Vaishno Devi Tour
When you reached Katra Railway Station which is only 16 to 17kms away from Vaishno Devi, the first step is to take RFID Card. The RFID Card is a small chip and the card issued by the Shrine Board of Mata Vaishno Devi. The purpose of RFID Card is to manage the crown and track pilgrims who visited Vaishno Devi Temple. The card is available at Railway Station and Bus Stand, and to obtain the RFID Card you need to show your Aadhar Card.
The next preparation to begin the journey is to buy a SIM Card from the Market to avoid network issues while on the trip. The SIM is available at the shops.
Pro Tip for Devotees: Your Aadhar is Golden Ticket, without Aadhar Card you won’t begin your journey to Mata Vaishno Devi. So Don’t Forget to carry your Aadhar Card.
Hotel at Vaishno Devi
If you reach Katra in the morning, you don’t need to book a hotel room. You can keep your luggage in the Locker Rooms which are available on your way to the Vaishno Devi temple. On the contrary if you arrive late in the evening, then I would advise staying in Katra. Hotels are available and the starting price is Rs. 500/- per night, and if you want a more budgeted option, Dormitory facility at Rs. 100/- per night is available.
If you don’t want a last minute hussle, you can book Niharika Bhawan or Complex managed by the Shrine Board of Mata Vaishav Devi. You can book from both Online and Offline mode, but I would advise to book online through the website: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/
Yatra Check Post at Vaishno Devi Temple
At this point the security personnel check your RFID Card and the belongings. If you don’t have RFID Card, you are not allowed to proceed ahead for yatra of Mata Vaishno Devi. Hazardous items are not allowed, like Cigarette, Bidi, Gutkha, Laptop, DSLR Camera, and Tablet.
After completing the checking at Yatra Post, you can have food at the famous Gulshan Dhaba which serves free of cost food.
Choose Path from Katra to Ardhkuwari Temple
The Vaishno Devi Yatra offers flexibility and comfort to the devotees by offering two routes from Katra to Ardhkuwari and then from Ardhkuwari to Vaishno Devi Temple.
The routes and their benefits from Katra to Ardhkuwari:
- Banganga Route: If you prefer to go by horse, khacchar, or palki then Banganga is most preferred route. This route is 1kms short as compared to Tarakot, but facilities for trekkers are limited.
- Tarakot Route: If you want to trek then Tarakhot is best as there are no animals on the way. Though the route is 1km long as compared to Banganga but the roads are well maintained. The devotees get the facility of Medical Unit, Restaurant for Food, Toilets and Water facility. Those who are planning to trek, use Tarakot Route till Ardhkuwari and while return use Banganga Route, so that you can seek blessings of Charanpaduka of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Banganga is a religious place where Mata Vaishno Devi washed her hair in the river which was formed by the arrow released by Devi Vaishno. You can bathe here, there a separate bathing facility for both male and female.
Significance of Ardhkuwari Gufa
Ardhakuwari Gufa or Temple is known as “Garbhgriha of Mata Vaishno Devi” where devi resides for 9 months. This shows the transformation of the human body. Then the “Pindi” of devi situated at the Mata Vaishno Devi.
To visit Garbhagriha of Mata Vaishno Devi, you need to take a token from the counter available at the Temple. Devotees can’t enter the Garbhagriha without token and for darshan you may need atleast 5hrs. In peak season, you may need more than 5hrs. for seeking blessing of Mata Vaishno Devi. The Garbhgriha of Mata Vaishno Devi is narrow thus, the arrangements are different.
If you are planning for a night stay at Ardhkuwari, the facility of dormitory is available in the premises. The blankets are easily accessible at Rs. 500/- per blanket which shall be returned to the devotees after handing over the blankets to the owner. The food is available at a reasonable price. You can book the room from both Online and Offline mode. For Online Booking, please visit the site of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/
Way from Ardhkuwari to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan
After taking blessings of devi at Ardhkuwari Gufa, will move towards the Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi. There are two routes for Himkoti Route and Sanjichhat/Hathi Matha Route.
Himkoti Route is most favourable route for the devotees, the roads are straight, well maintained with roof facility. Whereas Sanjichhat/Hathi Matha Route is difficult for trekking. The distance from Ardhkuwati to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan is around 5 to 6kms.
Conveyance Facility to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan
If you are unable to trek there are many other options available for the devotees on a chargeable basis. Have a look at the rates:
- Palki: Charge Rs. 3000/- per person. If the weight is above 100kg, the price range is between Rs. 3200/- to Rs. 3300/-.
- Horse: The charges are divided into two parts. The cost from Katra to Ardhkuwati is Rs. 650/- per person and the cost from Katra to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan is Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 1300/- per person.
- Car Trolly: This facility is only for the kids. If you travel on your own the charges are Rs. 500/-, on the contrary, the charges Rs. 2000/-. The security charges of Rs. 1500/- will be returned on your way back to the owner.
- Battery Car: The Battery Car facility is available only from Ardhkuwari to Mata Vaishno Devi Bahawan which the charges of Rs. 400/- per person. You can book the Battery Car through both Online and offline. For online booking, visit the website of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/
Visit Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan by Helicopter
The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in connection with the Indian Government has started a facility of Helicopter darshan for the devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi. The one side charge (Katra to Sanjichhat) is Rs. 1800/- per person. If you want to avail yourself of the round trip, then the costing is Rs. 3600/- per person. You can book the helicopter facility from the website of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/
The helicopter will drop you at Sanjhichat and from this point the Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi is only 2kms. If you won’t be able to trek, the Horse Facility is available at the cost of Rs. 300/- to Rs. 350/- per person.
Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan
Now we reached at the Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi, at this point we will guide you about the locker service, bathing facilities and what’s allowed & what’s not.
If you want to take a bath before darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi, the good option is Durga Bhawan which offers a good facility for women as well as men. You can get a prashad from the stalls situated near bhawan for the Mata Rani.
Time to find a locker for your luggage, so there is total 3 lockers, which is available at Gate No. 1, Gate No. 3 and Balak Room that is on the way to Bhairav Baba. Keep everything in the locker. The locker service is absolutely free of cost for devotees.
Pro Tip: Carry your own lock and key.
These are the items that are not allowed in the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan: Bag, Electronic Items, Watch, Mobile and Belt.
Darshan of Bhairav Baba
It is believed that the darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi is incomplete if you don’t seek the blessings of Bhairav Baba. The trek of Bharav Baba is only 2kms from Vaishno Devi Bhawan which could be covered in the duration of approximately 1hr to 1.5hrs. Remember the trek is too steep and narrow, where lots of horses run, so be careful while trekking.
How to reach from Bhawan to Bhairon Baba
In the above paragraph, I have explained the trek distance, here will explain the ways to reach Bhairon Baba with the costing:
- Horse: Costs around Rs.200/- to Rs. 300/- per person
- Ropeway: The ropeway service is available only from Mata Vaishno Devi Bahawan to Bhairon Baba at the cost of Rs. 80/- to Rs. 100/-. The timing of Ropeway is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Palki: The last option is Palki Service is expensive as they carry your weight on their shoulder. The cost of Palki is around Rs. 500/- to Rs. 800/-.
After reaching Bhairon Baba Temple, you can buy Prashad from the stalls situated near the temple. Be careful with the monkeys they are good in snatching the packets. Don’t forget to carry Bharbuti of Bhairon Baba.
Stay at Bhairon Baba
If you are planning for night stay at Bhairon Baba, rooms and dormitories are available. You can stay at Durga Bhawan at free of cost. They provide blankets also at Rs. 500/- which is refundable when you the return the blanket. If want to stay in hotels, then you have to walk for around 5 to 6hrs. to reach hotel.
Food facilities are available at Sanjhi Chat after a walk of approximately 1km. to 1.5kms.
Budget and Itinerary
In the blog post I have mentioned everything, now it’s time to know how many days are needed for Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra? You need only 2 days for yatra. The budget for the Mata Vaishno Devi Trip is:
- If you planning to go by trekking, then the costing is around Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 1500/- per person.
- The costing change if you take horse, palki or helicopter service. For example, with horse the costing reached Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 8000/- per person.
Best Time to Visit
We all know there is no time for devi darshan, but as you know you must trek a lot, so seasons are very important. Don’t plan on these days:
- If you are planning on Navratri, both Chaitra and Sharad, then you may face many crowds, so don’t plan on festivals.
- The other not prescribed season is Summer Vacation of students. During this time parents plan a trip with family, so avoid planning in summer vacation timing.
- Rainy Season between August to September is not prescribed for Mata Vaishno Devi yatra, you may face landslide on hills.
- Apart from this you can plan any season, winters, beginning of summer or any other season.
How to Reach Katra (Vaishno Devi)
- By Rail: Katra has its own Railway Station, Katra Railway Station, but the facility of direct trains from all states are not available. If you belong from those state, book your tickets till Jammu Tawi then take a train or Bus or taxi from Jammu to Katra. Buses and Taxis are readily available from station.
- By Air: The nearest Airport to Mata Vaishno Devi is Jammu Airport. If there is no direct flight, then board the flight till Pathankot or Chandigarh. From there you can avail bus, flight or train.
- By Bus: If you are travelling from Delhi NCR, Sleeper and Seater Buses are available. You can book Volvo from the sites.
Final Thoughts
In this blog post, I have explained everything which is needed for Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. If you have any questions, DM me, I will answer your queries. “Jai Mata Di”
Image Credits: Google
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