Vaishno Devi is a prominent Hindu temple in the Trikuta mountains in Katra, Jammu. Every year, millions of visitors visit this holy shrine; according to shrine board data, 9.5 million pilgrims visited it in 2023 alone. The shrine is 14 km from Katra, and pilgrims must cover this distance by trek or opt for alternatives like battery cars, poni, palki, and helicopters.

Location and accessibility

Vaishnodevi is 46 km (Jammu to Katra) + 17 km (Katra to Vaishnodevi shrine). Katra acts as the pilgrims’ base camp, and the Banganga checkpoint marks the starting point for the trek. From Banganga, the trek distance is roughly 14 km.

How to Reach

• By Air :-

The nearest airport to Vaishno Devi is Jammu, which is 50 km from Katra.

• By Train :-

The nearest railway station to Vaishnodevi is Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Katra Railway Station, which is just 1.2 kilometres away from the main town. Another one is the Jammu Tawi railway station, which is 47 km away.

• By Road :-

Katra has good road connectivity; reaching it by bus or private car is a great option. The famous Srinagar-Kanyakumari Highway (NH 44) passes nearby, making it even more accessible for pilgrims visiting other states.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Vaishnodevi is preferably the summer (March to June) when the temperature is just fine. Winters are harsh, and trekking is more challenging, but if you want to experience snowfall, you can plan to visit around mid-December to January.

Where to stay

In Katra:-

There are plenty of stay options in Katra; you will find hotels on every budget starting from 700 rupees. You can also book a dormitory bed at Niharika complex for just 150 rupees, but the booking should be done beforehand as it gets booked out pretty fast.

On the trek:–

The stay options on the trek route are limited; you can book your stay from the shrine boards website, or else you must skip staying there and return to Katra after visiting the temples.

Places to Visit

1. 1. Banganga:- This is where pilgrims take a holy dip before the trek. It is believed that this site existed when Vaishno Devi shot an arrow to quench Hanuman’s thirst.
2. 2.Charanpaduka:- This temple marks the spot when Vaishnodevi stopped and looked back while being chased by Bhairav Nath
3. 3.Garbh-Joon Cave:- This cave is present at Ardhkunwari. It is believed that Vaishnodevi meditated in it for nine months while Hanuman guarded the entrance.
4. 4. Bhawan:- This is the cave where Mata’s idols are in Pindi form. On the left side, devotees see Mahakali, Maha Lakshmi in the middle, and Maha Saraswati in the right.
5. 5. Bhairo Nath Temple:- This temple is dedicated to Bhairo Nath, and it is believed that this was the spot where the head portion of Bhairav Nath fell when Vaishnodevi killed him.

Itinerary Suggestions

Note:- This itinerary includes Vaishno Devi as well as Shivkhori

Click here to download the itinerary!

Budget Guide

The budget is as per the itinerary (3 nights 4 days).

NOTE:- The given trip budget is just a general overview and price totally depends upon your preference and the time of your visit .

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