Vaishno Devi – Proceed on the Sublime Journey

If faith can move up above the lofty mountains, then go with faith and scale those tough mountains, that is asked of you. The ‘divine call’ of Goddess Vaishno Devi draws scores of devotees to ascend steep pathways and serpentine queues through snow-covered mountains and lush green forests around, to the sacred and mystical shrine. A common belief is found that when Mata Vaishno Devi sends a ‘Call’ to her devotees, then pilgrims finds themselves compelled to move towards the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’.

Hindus belief that anyone who walks the Himalayan trail to shrine of Vaishno Devi, to seek a boon does not return disappointed. Shrine of Mata Vaishno resides in a holy cave in the shape of three natural rock formations called Pindies. Nestling on top of the Trikuta hill at a height of 1,700 mt is the sacred cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Situated at a distance of 61 km from Jammu, the cave is 30 mts long and just 1.5 mt high. Interestingly there are no statues or idols inside the holy cave, while at the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother Goddess namely Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati.
Pilgrims can enter inside the shrine in small groups through a narrow opening.

The aarti is performed twice a day at the shrine. The pujaris (priests) perform aarti before the holy deity, first inside the sanctum sanctorum and then outside the cave. The jyoti (divine lamp) is lighted and the puja thaali used in aarti is brought outside the holy cave. After the bhajan, the chief priest comes out from inside the sanctum and distributes prasad and charanamrit to the devotees. Rejuvenated with the aarti, the devotees rush to the cave for a darshan of the pindies. It is believed a privilege to have a darshan (glimpse) during the auspicious days of Navratra.

Essential Amenities Available for Pilgrims on Way to Shrine
For making the yatra a comfortable and satisfying experience the Shrine Board and the state government have made essential arrangements for pilgrim on way to shrine. On the entire stretch from Banganga to Bhawan, over 70 shelter sheds have been constructed, the path is inlaid with tiles and illuminated with vapour lamps. At regular distances over 100 toilet blocks with over 600 seats, including Western type seats have been constructed.


Around 125 water points and 50 water coolers have been installed on the trek to provide clean drinking water to the pilgrims. Along the route at vantage viewpoints around 20 restaurants have been constructed. Well-equipped medical centres and shops selling toiletries, provision items, camera rolls, medicines, shoes, caps, raincoats, walking sticks and eatables can be found along the trek route. Banks, police stations and post offices can be found at important locations.

Reaching the Vaishno Devi Shrine
Katra the base camp is about 50 km from Jammu and 650 km from Delhi. From Katra, Vaishno Devi shrine is 13 km up. Buses and taxis are available to Katra from Jammu at regular intervals. A walk along the pleasant and relatively easy mountain path takes you from Katra (2,500 ft) to Saanjhi Chhat (6,200 ft), from where you descend to 5,200 ft where Bhavan, the shrine complex is situated.

Air Deccan helicopter service connects Katra with Saanjhi Chhat, the highest point in the mountain trek. From Saanjhi Chhat the routes get divided to Bhawan and Bhairon Mandir. One should keep in mind that from the helipad, Bhawan is about 2 kms away, and it is difficult to find any other means to cover that distance.

Another option is the battery operated van from Adhkuwari, which runs from the midpoint of the Yatra, after one has covered the initial distance of 6 km by traditional means. The other option is the traditional palki (palanquin) carried by four persons.