A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (Trikoot) at an altitude of 5200 ft. Like with most old shrines, it is not possible to ascertain when exactly the pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine started. A geological study of the Holy Caves has indicated its age to be nearly a million years.
The traveler/yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatris are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies/Heads. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave. |
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In order to visit the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, one has to reach Katra a small town situated around 50 km from Jammu. Katra serves as the base camp for the yatra/journey. Katra is well connected to Jammu & Jammu in turn, is well connected to the rest of the country by Air, Rail and Road.
BY TRAIN: Jammu is well connected to other parts of country on broad-gauge. Many superfast trains also ply on this route and one can also reach Jammu by overnight from New Delhi. For more details about trains please visit: www.indianrailways.gov.in. |
BY AIR: Jammu is well connected to the rest of India with daily fligts from New Delhi. There is a
helicopter service that departs from Airport to Sanjhi Chat (close to vaishno devi temple)
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For the benefit of the pilgrims, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provides clean, well maintained and very economical accommodation. This accommodation is available at Jammu (at Vaishnavi Dham and Saraswati Dham near Railway Station), at Katra (at Niharika Yatri Niwas and Shakti Bhawan situated at the Bus stand) Katra. Accommodation is available at Adkuwari, Sajichatt and at main Bhawan also.
Accommodation for all Shrine Board Guest houses/dormitories can be booked (subject to availability) at the reception of these guest houses or at the Enquiry and Reservation counter at Niharika complex. Advance reservation is possible by sending a demand draft of the required amount to the Chief Executive Officer/Dy, Manager (E&R) payable at Katra. In addition, since heavy rush is experienced on weekends and holidays, pilgrims are advised to plan their Yatra on weekdays.
Address for making accommodation reservations :
Dy.Manager(Enquiry&Reservation),
ShaktiBhawan,
NiharikaComplex(NearBusStand),
ShriMataVaishnoDeviShrineBoard,
Katra,J&K - 182301
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Ban Ganga Temple: The Goddess shot an arrow into the stone and a holy river was produced, now known as Ban Ganga. Most pilgrims take bath here. Ban Ganga is about 3 km from Katra