Route of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi

Route of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
The nearest Railway Station and Airport are at Jammu, at a distance of 50 Kms from Base camp Katra. A regular bus services are plying from Railway Station, Air port and General Bus Stand Jammu to Katra. Also number of Taxies, Tourist vans, Deluxe Busses is available at these places. However number of inter state busses are available for Katra from almost all the major cities of North India.

The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is linked to the Base Camp Katra with a 13 Kms track. The entire uphill Journey from Katra to Bhawan is on foot; however, one can hire ponies, palkies or pithoo for ease of journey.

Banganga Temple
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 Banganga, 1 Km away from Katra where one can have holy bath in the Banganga and have a Langer/Parshad (free food) run by famous T-series Industries.


Charanpaduka Temple
The second stop Charanpadhuka is about 2.5 Kms away from Banganga. It is believed that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji took rest while moving towards the Trikuta Hills. The place contains the foot prints of Goddess, and thus the place is named Charanpadhuka Temple..


Ardhkuwari Temple
The third stop Ardkuwari is about 3 Kms from Charanpadhuka. Here one can stay for night as half of the journey is over. At Adkuwari the devotees can have Darshan of Adkuwari Temple and Gerbhjoon (an ancient Cave of about 20 feet). It is believed that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji hides herself from Bairon Nath in this cave for 9 months.


Bairo Nath Temple
Bairo Nath Temple is about 2.5-km from Maa Vaishno Devi cave at about 6,700 feet. It is traditional to visit this temple after visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple. The legend states that Bhairo Nath was absolved of all sins when Durga killed him.When Bhairo Nath was killed by the Goddess his head flew to this place. There is a huge stone outside the cave that represents the body of Bhairo Nath. After he was killed, she prayed to the Goddess to forgive him. It is said that the Goddess gave the benediction that the desires of her devotees who visit this place would be fulfilled.


Bhumika Temple
Bhumika Temple is a 1 km from Katra, the Goddess Disappeared. This place is called Darshni Darwaja because the Trikuta Mauntain is Visible from here Trikuta Mauntain is three high peaks that are the abodes of the Goddess Vaishno Devi.

For the ease of Journey the tourist must
1) Register them at the booking counter Katra and get the yatra slip
2) Get permission for the video camera, if interested.
3) Check the identity card of the Pithoo, Pony and Palki before hiring them.
4) For ease of Journey Travel as light as possible, since all the facilities are available on the track. 5) Avoid the use of Polythene bag to protect the environment.
6) Throw the waste in the waste-boxes available.
7) Walk on the track only and enjoy the beauty of the nature. Wrong track can lead to d disastrous results.
8) While leaving for the Darshan of the Holy Shrine, deposit your belongings at the clock rooms and get the receipt.
9) Donations are to be made at the donation counters and get the receipt duly signed