Devotes increasing Travelling to Vaishno Devi Temple Trip
Today’s era, some people believe in Pilgrims & some do not think so. But when we check the last five years of devotes numbers. It always increases every year. Thus we can say here people are more interested in travelling to Goddess Vaishno temple near Katra in J&k district. I had shared in below blog about how to plan Vaishno Devi Temple Trip from your states.
I had traveled to Vaishno Devi Temple 10 to 12 times in the last 28 years
Even I have toured to Vaishno Devi temple 10-12 times from Delhi by Train and Volvo. Every time my experience gets changed because of the J&K government. They keep working on those things which can make people visit more suitable than earlier.
Where is Vaishno Devi temple?
Vaishno Devi temple is situated on trikuta hills in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. It is about 50 kms away from Jammu & 14 Kms from Katra. Devotees have to trek for 14 km to reach the Bhawan from Katra market.
Best Transportation to Reach Katra
The nearest railway station is Katra, which is only 1 km from the Katra market & registration office. Another nearest railway station is Jammu which is around 50 km from the Katra market.
Delhi to Katra And Jammu to Katra Buses
The other transport is buses. Katra itself has a bus stand and devotees can come here by bus as well. Most buses are plying Delhi to Katra & some from Manali to Katra as well. But it’s a deluxe bus.
You can not expect more than that. Also, they have a facility from Delhi to Katra.
Distance between Katra to Jammu?
Jammu to Katra is just 50 km. Also, there are three types of transport available between Jammu to Katra.
1. The first transport is like you can hire a private cab for dropping you till Katra. It will charge you approx 2000-3000.
2. Another way is like you can go to Katra through public transport or private transport from the Jammu railway station itself. It will charge per person 50 – 80 during the season in Jammu. In the offseason, the bus committee may change the rates up to 40 per person.
3. Third, transport is like you can take train tickets from the railway station. Most trains get sold out of Katra because people travel to Vaishno Devi every month, whether it is winter or summer.
Massive Devotees Plan to Vaishno Devi Temple
From April to mid of June is the high peak time for darshan. Because of summer vacation in Delhi students. Even you may face the dense crowd in December, January & February because of winter weather.
Navratri Plan to Vaishno Devi Temple
Plenty of people who believe in Mata Sherawali & their beliefs take them to Mata Vaishno Bhawan during Navratri. You may face a long line of people during Navratri time. I would recommend you try to plan 15 days before or after that Navratri.
How to plan Vaishno Devi temple from your state?
You can plan for Vaishno Devi temple in any month except July to September because there are maximum chances of landslides. Every year monsoon affects the mountains of trikuta hills. Vaishno Devi temple, you can complete in 2 days only.
Because once you reach the Katra railways station. From there, your temple visit is too near. You would have to trek for 14 km till Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan from Katra.
Darshan of Lord Bhairav
Once you are done with the darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi. After that, you have to do a 2 km trek to Bhairo Dev. Once you complete the darshan of Bhairo dev, you would have two ways to come down till Katra. One is from the same way himkoti & the second one is from hathimatha.
Break up in the journey
Once you will start your journey from Katra. The first point you will meet is a check post for your luggage checking.
Avoid carrying liquor, cigarettes & Any tobacco.
Charan Paduka temple
After the check post, the actual trek will start at Mata Vaishno Devi. You will first see Gulshan Kumar Bhandara point and Bhandara is too delicious.
They serve in the Bhandara Kadi, Puri, Rajma, Rice & chapati. After 2 km of a trek from the check post, you will meet with Charan paduka temple.
You can eat while trekking to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
While trekking you can eat food also till ardhkuwari dividing area. Because there are several shops which serve Maggi, Soda Shop, Coffee point for relaxing purposes, you can take the massage chair. They charge INR 30 to 70 for 15 minutes.
Harder trek Starts From Katra To Vaishno Devi
Once you pass the charan paduka temple, your trek will be a little harder because of uplands. After that, you would have to trek for more than 3 km to decide whether you have to go to Ardhkuwari or not. Ardhkuwari is a place where Mata Vaishno had stayed for nine months.
Once you will pass a 7 km journey. You will come to that point where two ways are going. Left way to Bhawan via himkoti & right one via Hathimatha to Bhawan. If you chose the hathimatha way.
You will pass ardhkuwari in your way. Also, the essential thing you need to understand is that pones & palki are not allowed on himkothi way. If you think.
You are not able to trek more. Choose the hathimatha way. Because you can hire the pones & palki on your way.
Himkoti to Bhawan 4 km
Himkoti way is more convenient than hathimatha because roads are neat & clean with spacious streets. The way also has one more benefit for the old agers & not fit people. Because the government has started the battery car facility in the last few years. But there is some fixed timing & you may face long lines for the tickets waiting is also possible.
Per person, the ticket is 354/- only.
Once you reach the Bhawan area, first on your left side will be Manokamna Bhawan. There you can relax for some time. Also, make sure prasad counterchanges now. If you have traveled earlier, then please note that now prasad counter is near Sagar Ratna restaurant.
There is a different cost of Prasad at the counter. Basic Prasad cost is 20 & it will end up at 70 only.
Please keep in mind that your journey is incomplete without the darshan of Lord Bhairo. The trek of 2 km is more complicated than 14 km. But you must go to darshan of lord bhairav from there you can come back to Katra itself via hathimatha.
Less time to get down From Mata Vaishno Shrine
The return journey will not take a lot of time of yours. You will come back to Katra in 3 hrs if you start from Bhairo. Maximum time only will be taken while trekking above to Mata Vaishno Bhawan & lord Bhairav temple.
Note. If you have to stay at ardhkuwari, then make sure. Register for the entry slip in advance. Because the government has set up the pre-booking facility on the same trek.
Best Time To Plan Vaishno Devi temple?
Usually, people ask what the best time to visit darshan of Mata Vaishno in Vaishno Devi is. My answer remains the same; there is no best time definition to visit Bhawan. Because mata devotees never stop booking to go to Katra to visit Vaishno Devi.
The weather of Vaishno Devi Temple
It depends upon you which season suits you. Because everyone has a different strength. Now you will be thinking about why power is required to visit Bhawan of Mata Vaishno. In a small word, I say that not everyone can handle much warm weather.
While trekking to 12 km & the same in return. Also, not everyone can adjust in the winter period.
Because of Bhawan temperature goes down up to -4 or -5. Even in my recent trip, I got live snowfall in the Bhawan area. That is why my body was freezing due to snow.
Avoid only three months of a journey to Vaishno Devi
In 12 out, nine months are very much suitable for traveling. But three months are not ideal for going to Bhawan. You may face landslides in July, August, and September due to monsoon season in all North India.
What can we eat while trekking from Katra to Vaishno Devi Bhawan?
While trekking to Katra, there are many small dhaba where you can eat the food. You will have to compromise on the quality of food. But yes, the taste will be excellent.
There are few food places after Adhikari where you can eat the quality of food at reasonable rates. Few names I have mentioned below. You can taste the sambar vada at 20rs only & Rajma rice, Kadi rice.
1. Ambika Bhawan
2. Himkoti
3. Sanjichat
Special note:– Avoid food at Sagar Ratna at Bhawan. If you think the same taste, you are going to get in Vaishno Devi Bhawan. You are wrong. Because we had also considered the same, they made us a big fool only they charge much nothing else.
What to eat in Katra?
There are plenty of restaurants and Dhaba in Katra. Few names I have mentioned below.
1. Kuldeep Dhaba & Manoranjan Dhaba is an excellent choice to eat parathas in Katra.
2. Also, you can taste sweet dishes on pooja sweets close to manoranjan dhaba.
3. Also at the bus stop, you can enjoy bread & butter with hot tea in child weather.
4. Avoid eating food at the jewel restaurant on the main mall road. You will regret having food there.
Important points to keep in mind before starting a trip to Vaishno Devi temple?
There are a few things we need to understand before starting a trip. What should we carry with us? The first-time devotee mainly faces this problem.
Katra is a place where you have to start your journey. Follow the below requirement.
1. Avoid fast food before going on the trek to Mata Vaishno Bhawan.
2. Always check the weather forecast before packing your clothes in a bag.
3. If it looks like a rainy day in Katra, carry a coat with you because if you buy raincoats in Katra. That cost will be much & quality also.
4. Carry always two bags with you. One is small for 2-3 pairs maximum, and another one is big.
5. Carry one backpack with you for trekking. You will have to change your clothes at Bhawan as well for darshan. ( Washrooms are available at the Bhawan.
6. Wear always sports shoes while trekking to Bhawan.
7. Carry Winchester with you. Because at night, the wind blows.
What can I buy-in the Katra market?
Katra market is famous for dry fruits & small pendants of Mata Vaishno. People usually buy walnuts from the Katra market but recommend you check the walnuts before buying. Do not go for a lower cost only. If possible, you can buy it from your local market near home.
Where to stay in Katra?
Katra is a small place where you can stay from 200 to 10000 per night. If you are planning with your friends & do not want to spend much, then you can take the guest house stay.
Price Range of Hotels
It will charge you INR 200-400 maximum for a night stay. Also if your budget allows you to pay INR 1000-1500 for a single night stay. You can take a 2-star hotel near the local market of the Katra.
If you like to stay in the star category of the hotel. Then you can select the little hotel outside of the Katra market.
Several Good Hotels In Katra
There are good hotels available for you. You can stay in the Meridian Hotel, Hotel Mayur, Jai Maa Inn, Hotel Dolphin, The royal Krishna, lemon tree Katra. If you want to book your stay at a reasonable price.
I know about the company that can give you competitive rates for your visit. You can coordinate to Think Go Travels. They provide a complete tour package & only hotels also.
Is it possible to get the stay at Vaishno Devi Bhawan?
Yes, stay is also available at Bhawan in Manokamna Bhawan, Vaishnavi & Gauri Bhawan. They remain available from 120 to 1500 per night. But you need to book all the beds before 60 days in advance. Also, 700 beds are available in tribute Bhawan.
Helicopter booking available for Vaishno Devi Katra
If you have a shortage of time & want to do the darshan of Mata Vaishno Temple. You can also reach Bhawan by air as well. Helicopter service is also available for those people who have less time.
They can book the tickets through the official site of Mata Vaishno Devi temple. The helicopter will board you from Katra & that will deboard you at sanjichat 2 km from Mata Vaishno Bhawan.
Write to me
I hope the above-mentioned article will help you to make your tour to Vaishno Devi. I need your feedback in the comment section for more updates in the future. It will always help me to grow up.
