जय माता दी
Unveiling the divine “your ultimate companion to a memorable Vaishno Devi trip”
Location:- Vaishno Devi Temple is located on the lap of Trikuta mountains about 13 km from Katra.
- How to reach Katra (कटरा कैसे पहुँचे)
:- Hey there! Are you excited to plan your trip to Katra? You can easily reach Katra by train as there are numerous trains available that will take you directly to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station. And if you prefer to travel by train to Jammu railway station, which is just 50 km from Katra, you can do that too! From Jammu bus/private taxis are available for katra.
Train tickets:- I would suggest to book train ticket 120 days in advance and by chance if you missed advance booking date, book ticket through confirm ticket application https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.confirmtkt.lite as it will give you confirmation prediction. Remember during vacation/summer season from march to the end of June it is peak season for pilgrims, so try to book tatkal tickets at reservation counters or offline at remote location stations where there is less crowd so that you will get your all seats confirmed and together. With this link http://ticketdate.in you will get to know about the date and time at which booking start and you will get notified on the booking day.
If you are a mumbaikar/gujrati book train tickets in break journey. For ex. book train ticket from Mumbai/Vadodara/Ahmedabad to New Delhi and then from New Delhi to Shri Mata vaishno devi Katra as it will increase your tickets confirmation chance.
Step by step guide for a memorable vaishno devi trip:-
- Please note that in Jammu and Kashmir, only postpaid billing SIMs are currently operational for phone and internet services. Additionally, if you are travelling by train and cross the Ravi river railway bridge after 14 km from Pathankot railway station, your prepaid SIM may get deactivated. Therefore, it is advisable to complete any important work that requires phone or internet services before reaching Pathankot railway station.
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- Accomodation:- Katra has a lot of options like budgetary hotels and guest houses near to Katra bus stand. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board owned niharika complex and spiritual growth center have lot of rooms and beds based on the availability. Online booking link gets activated maximum 60 days/2 months in advance or 4 days in advance from the date of journey/booking. For online booking download Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board official app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matavaishnodevi.myprayer from Play Store.
For a hotel near bus stand in Katra, you absolutely must consider Hotel Ishan, a pocket friendly property. Location is good with magnificent view of trikuta mountains from rear gallery of hotel.
- Yatra parchi (यात्रा पर्ची):- Get yourself photographed at parchi counter near Katra bus stand, also you can get your online Yatra parchi on official Play Store app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matavaishnodevi.myprayer
- After Darshan:- Take a break for approximately half an hour and then proceed towards Bhairavnath Mandir, which is located 1.5 km away from Bhawan. You can easily get there by using the ropeway, which costs Rs 100. You can book the tickets online or purchase them from the counters.
- While descending, take a break and indulge in a relaxing massage at local centers.
Clothing & accessories :- For trek, wear loose clothes and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. Carry a water bottle, napkins, energy drinks, torch, toilet kit, and bed sheets with you. One needs to carry heavy woollen clothing during the winters. Also, remember to carry a lock. It is recommended to carry a mini first aid box with necessary medicines and a relief spray. Keep cash in hand around 10000 for a family of four.
Best Season/Month:- The summer months of May, June and July and the festival period of Chaitra (spring) and Sharad-Ashwin (Autumn) Navratri and New Year vacations witness peak rush. As a result of this rush, devotees have to often wait for 12-20 hours before having Darshan. So best time to visit is between March and October. Januarya and February are cold so you will witness less crowd. Also the monsoons and winters are good periods to plan a yatra. During the monsoons, Nature is at its scenic best with water falls and lush green surroundings. The winter months of December and January witness snow fall, it can prove to be a charming season for others to visit the Shrine. The original Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is also open during the winters and Darshans through this cave is a unique mystical experience. Even during hot summers, when the base camp, Katra too turns hot and humid, the main Shrine area, Bhawan continues to remain on the cooler side especially in the nights. Umbrellas and rain coats are required during the rainy seasons. Shoes, cameras, walking sticks, torches, head bands, umbrellas and many more such articles for which a person may not be prepared beforehand are readily available on hire at various private shops all over Katra and also on the way to Holy Shrine.
Note:-
- The trek distance from Banganga (main entry point) to Bhawan is around 14 Km and takes about 5-6 hours.
- Video cameras and Mobiles are not allowed inside Bhawan so keep it safe in a locker at the Bhawan.
If you want to make the most out of your trip and avoid any last-minute stress, I highly recommend booking everything in advance. and keep in mind the things mentioned before planning a trip to Maa ka Darbar. Enjoy your trip.
Jai Mata Di
