A Detailed Guide to visit of famous Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi with Family - Jammu & Kashmir

 Jai Matadi !

Recently I have visited Shrine Mata Vaishnodevi. This blog is with A Detailed Guide to visit of famous Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi with Family  - Jammu & Kashmir - Places around the shrine to visit & Hotel to choice.

Vaishno Devi is regarded as one of the holiest pilgrimages and the famous cave abodes the Mata Vaishno Devi temple of Jammu & Kashmir State at the Trikuta Mountains. It is one of the oldest holy shrines in India, and devotees from all across the world come here to seek blessings.

 Here the goddess is manifested in three forms namely Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati, and Maha Lakshmi. Known by various names such as Mata Rani, Trikuta, or Vaishnavi. The trek to the temple is a 13 km path with mesmerizing views throughout. If you are planning a Vaishno Devi trip with family, then here is a guide that details all the things you need to know before planning.

If you are visiting in Summer carry normal clothes, In Winter ( November to Jan_ then proper Winter clothes as snowfall predicted during this month., In between February to March then must take at least Jackets & caps as Bhawan is a bit cold.

OLD HOLY CAVE (ADH KAWARI TO BHAWAN) IS NOT OPEN DUE TO HEAVEY RUSH. OPENING ONLY FOR 1 MONTH (MID-JANUARY TO MID-FEBRUARY) AS RUSH IS UNDER CONTROL DUE TO SNOW. OPEN ONLY FOR WEEKDAYS, WEEKEND CLOSED

The journey to the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is an enchanting journey of the places where Mata Vaishnavi had spent some time ... Yatra Purchi is compulsory to visit this shrine. Online Yatra purchi is a better option to avoid the long queue to get it physically here.

There are many Options How to visit Holy Gufa of Mata Rani from Katra to Bhawan which is nearly 13 km?

1. Trekking

Basic Guidelines for Trekkers:

If you are climbing by Trek then avoid carrying too much stuff. You can get 20 Rs rental walking stick for support if required. Up to 2 km there were many food stalls, you will get fruit juices, Maggie, Salad & Fruit platters, candies etc After that also Shrine board's Bhojnalaya is there up to Bhavan, nominal charges for good food. Restrooms were there on the route every few km.

Now, How Many routes are there to trek?

1st. Old & Popular Route to Bhavan Via Ardhkawari

Trekkers, Horses, Palakhi & Pithhu this route is open for all. Palkhi and for kids 4 wheels pithu car is also available.

2nd Option is Via Himkoti

up to 7 Km same route is there, then there is a junction with 2 options 1 - Old Ardhkawari road & 2nd is Himkoti

Himkoti is much easier than Ardhkawari coz Horses are not allowed on this route + Slopes are a little manageable. Here also Tea, Cofee, Snacks stalls are available + Shrine's Bhojnalayas are also available. All you can reach almost up to Bhawan by Battery operated car ( 9 AM to 10 PM - Pre-booking is helpful). These cars will drop you to the distance of 500 Mt before Bhawan after that you have to walk a bit for darshan.

Locker No 3 is near to this entry point & It's the last locker to put your belongings including shoes and everything. Lockers are free of charge. Gate No 3 for Gufa entry is just in front of this locker gate.

3rd Option ( Recently started ) is TARAKOT

It's a new route so you may not get refreshments on this route as still it's under development. But It's only for trekkers, Palakhi & Pithhu so easy to walk. It will drop you to 1 Km prior to Bhawan entry on Himkoti Road.

2. Helicopter Ride

For all the kids, adults, and the elderly, a helicopter ride would add a spark of fun and excitement to the overall experience. The tourists must book the helicopter ride at least 2 months in advance. The helicopter ride takes approximately 8 minutes and can accommodate 5 to 6 passengers at a time. The helipad of Katra located on Udhampur road is at a distance of 2 km from Katra bus station.

After reaching Sanjhichhat point, it takes almost half an hour to reach Vaishno Devi Bhawan. You can choose ponies, porter, palkis services according to your convenience or prefer to walk to the temple. For a helicopter ride, a one-way fare from Katra to Sanjhichhat will cost around Rs. 1800 for a single person, and for both sides, it will cost Rs. 3600 per person.

Timings of Ride are 7 AM to 5 PM

Now details of Mandir during this Trek.

1st will come 

Charan Paduka

Charan Paduka is situated at an altitude of 3380 feet and is about 1.5 km from Banganga. Imprinted on a rock slab, Charan Paduka is a religious site where the imprints of Goddess pious feet are believed to be. The visitors pay their obeisance to the footprints of the Mata which is engraved on a rock slab and then proceed further for the yatra.

Adh Kumari Temple

Then if you have chosen the Ardhkawari trek, 

Adh Kuwari is considered as a halfway mark to the main Bhawan of Vaishno Devi situated at a distance of 6 km. The term Adh Kuwari means the eternal virgin and is regarded as one of the most essential temples on the way to the holy cave.

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

Regarded as one of the most important temples and religious sites amongst Hindus, Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is dedicated to Vaishno Devi. The temple is considered to be one of the 108 Shakti Peethas that is dedicated to Durga who is being worshipped as Vaishno Devi.

Matarani's Pindi is there inside Holy Cave. The old cave from Adh Kawari to Bhawan is not open due to the heavy rush to Shrine.

One way to Pindi Guha is you can have Darshan of Old Gufa Dwar. They are not allowing any offering inside Pindi Gufa & No Jaykara is allowed. After crossing Old gufa dwar you reach the entry of 42 Mts long Pindi Gufa... Mata Rani's Gufa. Inside this Gufa after walking half of the distance, Mata Rani's Holy Pindis will be visible on your left-hand side. Hardly do they allow us to have darshan for 2 seconds. But that is also enough to forget everything. You will feel Mata's Presence there.

Bhairon Nath Temple

After Mata Rani's darshan, you must visit this temple. Situated just 2 km away from Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Bhairon Nath Temple is dedicated to Baba Bhairavnath. It is believed that Bhairav was killed by the Vaishno Devi goddess as he was about to attack her and then she acquired the form of Kali and beheaded him. However, he repented for his sins and the goddess forgave him and specified that pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi would be incomplete without seeking the blessings of Bhairon Nath.

You can choose Trek, Horse, Palakhi, or Cable Car ( 8AM to 5 PM) - Pre-booking is advisable.

Now you can start your return journey to Katra.

The next day will be of course your rest day. But after that, you can plan below places to visit near Katra.

Shivkhori

Shiv Khori has located 77 km from Katra. This place is situated in Reasi District. Shiv Khori is a famous cave shrine of Hindus. It is dedicated to Lord Shiv. Shivkhori Cave is a real wonder to see and measures nearly half a kilometer in length with a 4 feet high naturally formed Shiv-lingam.

Patnitop

Beautiful Hill Station on Shrinagar Highway - 3 hours driving distance from Katra

Here you can enjoy Cable car Ride, Padora Garden & views.

Plan your trip to Mata Vaishnodevi with family & Enjoy to the fullest

JAY MATA DI