Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti, located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This temple is located near Katra town of Jammu. The temple is situated at an altitude of 5200 feet, about 12.5 km from Katra. Ardhkuwari is 3 Km from Katra.

This religious place is considered the important Shaktipeeth as the skull of the Goddess Sati fall here. The deity here, Vaishno Devi Mata, is commonly known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi.

This temple is located near Katra town of Jammu. It is one of the most revered holy shrines in northern India.

To reach Vaishno Devi Bhawan takes 6 to 8 hours by trek and the return journey is 3 to 4 hours.

From Ardhkuwari Battery operated cars are there to reach Bhawan, it takes 15 to 20 minutes time. Fare of Battery operated car is 300 rupees from Ardhkuwari to Bhawan and Rs. 200 from Bhawan to Ardhkuwari.

From Katra Base Camp to Ardhkuwari Pony or Palki services are there. You can book a helicopter service from Katra to Sanjhichatt, from where the shrine is just 2.5 km away. The fare of the Helicopter is Rs. 1730 on one side.

Every year lakhs of pilgrims visit this temple. The temple is looked after by a trust called Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Maa Vaishno Devi is the most famous Siddhapeeth in North India.

You can reach Vaishno Devi by using any mode of transport- Katra railway station is the nearest railway station to the pilgrimage. The nearest airport is in Jammu, which is 46.7 km away from Katra. Regular bus services are there from Jammu and other big cities to the base of Vaishno Devi Temple at Katra.

In advance, you have to register yourself in the Shrine Board office at Katra. Online registration also can be done.

The best time to visit is from March to October. From November to February to be avoided. December to February snowfall is there and the temperature may go down to -5 degrees Celsius.