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Vaishno Devi Travel Guide

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Travel Guide » Asia » India » Vaishno Devi
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Vaishno Devi
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(Jammu & Kashmir)


Jai Mata Di

More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of. And the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi gives credit to this famous line of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poetry. Sheer faith brings in multitudes of people of all ages, races and religions to kowtow before the Goddess, who showers her grace on each of them and grants them their wishes. The pilgrimage requires great fortitude, both physical and mental, as you have to climb mile after mile, uphill, before getting a glimpse of the Goddess. But as they say tough times never last, tough people do and millions of people make this journey successfully, year after year. So can you.
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At a Glance
The Vaishno Devi cave shrine is nestled in the mighty Trikuta Mountain, 61 km north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 ft above sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
When to Visit:
The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winters due to snowfall. Temperature normally ranges from a moderate 30 C in summers to about -5 C during winters. The climb is easiest between September and November and again between February and April. Though the nine-days of Navratris (October/November) are an auspicious time, the place is swarming with devotees and facilities are stretched to the limit.
Orientation & Getting Around:
At Katra Mini-buses can seat 19 people at a time and follow fixed routes. Autorickshaws are also easily available and you can negotiate the fare. For hiring private cars or cabs for local sightseeing or to visit any tourist destination, contact Travel Agents Association (Tel: 33356, 32044). Katra to the Holy Shrine The trek up the hill is tough, but the authorities have made every provision to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
  • Pilgrims must first register themselves, free of cost, at the Yatra Registration Counter, Tourism Reception Centre, Katra Bus Stand. The trek begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 km. Those without the registration slip/parchi will not be allowed to proceed up the hill.
  • Caps, canvas shoes, sticks, umbrellas and raincoats are available for hire at Chetak Bhawan located just near the Darshani Darwaza. You can also hire porters/ponies from here.
  • There are blanket stores at various points along the trek where you can hire blankets against a security deposit.
  • The route is wide and brightly lit during night time. It is also cleaned regularly throughout the day.
  • There is plenty of police supervision along the path including battalions of paramilitary forces.
  • Shelters, cafeterias, drinking water and toilets are available at frequent points through the trek.
  • Shrine Board bhojanalays as well as privately run hotels provide hearty meals services provided at pocket-friendly prices.
  • Apart from a hospital at Katra, there are basic medical units at Banganga, Adhkwari, Sanjichhat and Bhawan. A dispensary and 24-hr ICU is also available at Bhawan. For advanced medical treatment, however, one has to rush to Jammu.
  • On reaching Bhawan, you can refresh yourselves before proceeding to the main shrine. At the highest point near the shrine, produce the registration/parchi slip for being allowed inside the holy shrine.
  • Two cloak rooms operate round the clock: at Bhawan and opposite Gate No. 1, where you can deposit our personal belongings and obtain a receipt for the same.
  • Mobile phones, cameras and other electronic equipment are not allowed on the hill.
  • The bhaint (offerings) for the Goddess must include coconut, mauli (sacred thread), red chunni (headscarf) with gold/silver trimmings, dry fruits, bangles, and incense and vermilion powder. Other offerings include mehndi (henna), supari (areca nut) and chattar (umbrella). There are counters all along the way for buying these at fixed prices.
  • You are not allowed to take the coconut inside the shrine. Instead, hand over the coconuts and collect tokens for the same at the entrance.
  • When you come out of the exit, the coconuts are offered to the Goddess and handed back to you.
  • Pilgrims chant "Jai Mata Di" inside the holy shrine: the most popular invocation to the goddess.
  • Holy water can be collected while coming out of the exit gate.
  • If heading to the Bhairon shrine, which is 2.5 km from Bhawan, then deposit the tokens and collect your belongings from the cloak rooms since the return route is not the same.
Dial in code(s):
City code:01991
 
 
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