Yatra - Step by Step

Jammu City is the railhead of Shalimar Express, Sealdah Express, Jammu Mail, Jhelum Express, Himgiri, Gorakhpur Express, Madras Express, Himsagar Express, Jammu Super-fast, Saroydya Express, Happa Express, Navyug Express, lohit Express and Ferozpur Express. On this Railway Station taxis are available for Katra, 48 K.M., a foothill town of Mata Vaishno Devi or you may come to the general bus stand and get a bus ready for Katra. Jammu City is also well linked by Indian airlines from Delhi, Chandigarh and Amritsar with their regular service. On reaching Katra, Yatri is required to obtain a Yatra Parchi from the M. V. D. B. office at the bus stand before he starts his Yatra, on foot or on pony or in the Daandy which are readily available. Katra is a small town having all the facilities of good hotels; Yatri Nivas, Sarais or you may stay with the local people who extend necessary facilities for onward journey. It is better if you use a Canvas Shoe for upward journey.

The Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is being managed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for which the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir State is the ex-officio Chairman under whom the Chief Executive Officer and its office works at Katra itself. The entire 13 Kms. route from Katra to Bhawan as also the 3. 2 Kms. track of Bharion Ghati has been well laid with pacca tiles and railing fixed. There are 32 shelter-sheds to take shelter from sun or rain on the route. Medical Units are functioning at Bal Ganga, Adhi Kanwari, and Sanji Chhat and at the Shrine. The entire route is glittering with 700 Sodium vapor lamps that have made night journey very comfortable. There are over 60 water points all along the route.

Good accommodation is available at the Bhawan, free in the Yatri Niwas and at Rs. 150/- per room (VIP rooms) and Rs. 200/- for a hut welt furnished with flush latrines and bathrooms. It is better to get these VIP rooms and huts booked by the office of the Shrine Board at Katra to avoid disappointment at Bhawan. Good food and other eatables are easily available at Katra, Adhi Kanwari and at Bhawan and on the route on reasonable rates.

At the Bhawan, blankets are available free of charge, but against a security of Rs. 50/- for each blanket. Queue number for Darshan is allotted at the Bhawan against the Yatra Parchi.

To enable the Yatris to spend they’re waiting time in an easy manner well

Known religious TV serials such as, Ramayana and Adi Shankracharya are shown at the Yatri Niwas to the public.

Now, there are two exit tunnels for the Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine,

Second being completed on 28th July 1991. The intake capacity of the Cave Shrine has been increased from nearly 9000 to 15000 pilgrims per day. The pilgrims will now have Darshan if the sanctum sanctorum more conveniently and quickly.

You can enjoy natural beauty all around and after Darshan may stay at the Bhawan, Adhi Kanwari or Katra or have a trip to Salal Project or Patnitop and so many other tourist spots nearby which depends on your time schedule. It is always better to schedule your tour Yatra well in advance. Nature has bestowed enough wealth of tourist interest in and around the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.