| Jai Maa Vaishno Devi |
Connectivity
Nearest Railway Station: Katra & Jammu (Most trains' origin & terminating point)
Airport: Jammu
Bus Stand- Jammu
Helipad Service to Bhawan: Katra
* Always Remember - Register all members at the booking counter at Katra and get the yatra slip(has time validity).
Various Booking & Information available in KATRA at Shrine Board Office.
The Nearest Railway Station is Katra and Airport at Jammu, at a distance of 50 Kms from Base camp Katra. A regular bus service is available from Jammu Railway Station, Airport and General Bus Stand of Jammu for Katra. Additionally, number of Taxis, Tourist vans, Deluxe Buses are available at these places. However, number of inter-state buses are available for Katra from almost all the major cities of North India.
The Maa Vaishno Devi Shrine is at base camp of Katra with approx. 13 kms track. The entire uphill Journey from Katra to Bhawan is usually completed on foot, however, anyone can hire ponies, palkies or pithoo for ease of journey as per requirement.
Route of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
The 13 kms hilly track between Katra and Bhawan contains number of ancient temples and view-points for rest and enjoy natural beauty. The first stop is at BaadGanga, 1 km away from Katra where one can have holy bath in the Baad Ganga also called Baal-ganga.
The second stop Charanpaduka is about 2.5 kms away from Baadganga. It is believed that Maa Vaishno Devi took rest while moving towards the Trikuta Hills. The place contains the foot prints of Maa, and thus the place is named Charanpaduka Temple.
The third stop Adhkuwari is about 3 kms from Charanpaduka also midpoint of journey. At Adhkuwari, devotees can have Darshan of Adhkuwari Temple and Garbhbhoomi. It is believed that Maa Vaishno Devi kept herself in this cave for 9 months.
From Adhkuwari there are 2 ways to reach Bhawan. First is a plain terrain, convenient & most preferred (approx 3 kms) connecting directly to Bhawan. Battery operated van/taxis are available for this journey as well. Second route around 4 kms from adhkuwari goes to Sanjhichhat through a steep route called Hathimattha(due to the shape).
The Sanjhichhat is the highest place in the track. You can enjoy the aerial view of Katra, Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu.
From Sanjhichhat about 2.5 kms downhill led to Bhawan, the holy Shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi. About 0.5 km from Bhawan on the Bhawan-Sanjichat track an about 2 Kms link track lead to Bhairon nath temple, which people visit to mark complemetion of yatra & get fruits of the pilgrimage. The track is further linked with Sanjichat though dense forest containing different species of wild life such as Langoor, Monkeys and other wild birds.
Food Courts, Sight seeing points & other medical facilities are available throughout the route.
Few thing to remember.
. Check for whether, before making plans
. Register at booking counter at Katra and get the yatra slip (which have a validity)
. Get permission for the video camera/ recording devices
. Check the identity card of the Pithoo, Pony and Palki before hiring
. For ease of Journey, travel as light as possible
. Keep the environment clean, don't litter
. Cloak Room facilities are available at Bhawan
. Rest rooms are available at various places en route, check for availability at booking at Katra
For More Information: Shrine Board website
