| Rest of India to Jammu (J&K) |
| In order to visit the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, one has to reach Katra, a
holy town situated around 50 kms. from Jammu, the winter capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Katra serves as the base camp for the yatra. Katra is well connected to Jammu and in turn,
Jammu is well connected to the rest of the country by Air, Rail, and Road. |
| Jammu |
| Passengers using Air or Rail as a mode of travel have necessarily to break their journey at Jammu and from there on select an alternative mode of transport. However for passengers traveling by road, either through public or own transport, there is an option of taking a by-pass from Kunjwani, nearly 10 kms. off Jammu and heading straight for the base camp i.e Katra. |
| Jammu to Katra |
| Passengers reaching Jammu has only one mode to reach Katra i.e. By Road. Passengers can take taxi transfers or travel by bus. |
| Katra Town & Facilities |
| Located at an altitude of about 2500 feet above sea level, Katra is the base camp for the Yatra to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. This is the last point till which any type of modern transport can go (except the recently started Helicopter service, which takes the pilgrims right till Sanjichhat, just a couple of kilometers from the Holy Shrine).
Therefore, for all practical purposes, Katra serves as the base camp. From here a trek of around 12 kms takes a pilgrim to the Holy Shrine. One can undertake this trek on foot or on horses/ponies or on palkies or dolies. While most of the pilgrims prefer to go on foot, some who find it difficult to negotiate the climb hire a pony or a palanquin.
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| Bhawani’z Paradise Hotel is situated centrally
and conventionally located in heart of Katra town (facing Trikuta Mountains), just 300 meters from Katra bus stand, on Main Jammu Road. |
| Katra to Bhawan (Mata Vaishno Devi) |
| Pilgrims need to track 12kms from Katra to reach Bhawan else can avail Helicopter services to reach Sanjhichat directly (which is just 2kms from Holy Shrine). |
| Darshani Darwaaza |
| As per the legend, Mata Vaishno Devi met Pandit Shridhar in the form of a girl child at the spot which is today known as the Darshani Darwaza. This spot is also known
as Darshani Darwaaza because from here one gets a complete view of the track to
the shirne of Mata Vaishno Devi. |
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| Banganga |
| After the Police Check Post and Yatra Parchi Check Post, the pilgrims reach a small bridge under which flows Banganga, the legendary river associated with the miracles and legends of Mata. It is considered sacred and as is normal Hindu tradition, devotees like to
take bathe in it before proceeding further. In the changed times, many pilgrims prefer to skip the traditional bath, but those having the time or those who are traditionally inclined and wish to follow the legends and traditions, would like to have a dip before proceeding further. |
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| Charanpaduka
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| About 1.5 kms. from Banganga and at an altitude of 3380 feet is Charan Paduka, the place where the imprints of Mata’s pious feet are believed to be imprinted on a rock slab. The Darshans at Charan Paduka do not take more than a few minutes on a normal day. One pays obeisance at the footprints of Mata engraved on a rock slab and proceeds further. Symbolically, it means touching the feet of Mata and seeking Her blessings at the start of the journey. |
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| Adhkunwari |
| Adhkuwari is the half way mark on the track as it is situated at a distance of nearly 6 kms. from Katra.
The cave ghravjun is situated here, in this cave Mata Vaishno Devi lived for 9
months. The Holy Cave is now nearly 6 km. away. Adkuwari is one of the most important Darshans on the visit, second only to the main Darshans at the Holy Cave. |
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| Sanjhichhat |
| Sanjichhat, at a distance of 3.25 Kms from Adkuwari is a picturesque spot with enchanting views of the valley and snow covered peaks of the Himalayan ranges on a clear day. Sanjichhat is the highest point on the old track and is also the end of the uphill climb. From here a person has to walk downhill in order to reach Bhawan. |
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| Sanjichhat is also important because of another reason. The helipad is available here and yatries reaching by helicopter land at Sanjichhat. Similarly for the return helicopter journey, yatries have to reach the helipad at Sanjichhat in order to board the helicopter. |
| Reaching Bhawan |
| The Holy Bhawan houses the Sanctum Sanctorum – the Holy cave which is the ultimate destination of the yatries. Inside the Holy Cave the Goddess has revealed herself in the form of Holy Pindies manifesting Mata in her three forms Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Mata Saraswati. |
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| Bhairon Nath Ji |
The journey to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is not considered complete without Darshans at Bhairon Temple. Legend says that Bhairon was killed by Mata and later upon seeking an apology was granted the boon of being the final link of the Great Pilgrimage.
The Bhairon Temple is located at a distance of 1.42 kilometers from Bhawan. It is situated atop an adjacent hill and again involves a steep climb, which can be undertaken either on foot or on ponies or palanquins. The Bhairon temple is the highest point of the entire climb and is situated at an altitude of 6619 feet. Concrete steps as well as a concrete, paved, lighted track have been built right till the Bhairon temple. The Bhairon track is further connected to Sanjichhat. |
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