Planning a Family Trip to Maa Vaishno Devi Temple? Must-Know Tips

Planning a Family Trip to Maa Vaishno Devi Temple? Must-Know Tips

The Holy Shrine is Witnessing Extremely High Footfall Due to Summer Vacations. Here’s an Important Thread if You’re Planning to Travel With Family (Don’t Miss Tips)

How to Reach?

Nearest Airport is Jammu. But I would advise you to take a Train to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra (SVDK) Station. Very well connected from Delhi and across the country.

• Facilities at SVDK Station

- Dormitories and Family Rooms

- Lockers (For Baggage)

- Restaurant

- Yatra Registration

You can book them on IRCTC https://rr.irctc.co.in/#/home

Will help in saving money.

How to Plan for Yatra

This is Important and Official Website of Shrine Board - https://online.maavaishnodevi.org/#/login

- Book Yatra Prachi

- Accommodation

- Helicopter

- Battery Car

- Ropeway for Bhairo Baba

Plan as early as possible because there may be availability issues.

Yatra Slip and RFID Card

- Book Online and carry a printout

You can present this at Katra Railway Station and get the RFID Card issued.

You can also get the same at Katra Bus Stand or Tarakot Gate (Open even at night)

Postpaid And Internet

Please note that prepaid mobile connection issues outside J&K don’t work in J&K. So either you need a tourist SIM Card or Postpaid SIM. I’ve both Jio as well as Airtel Postpaid and have added family under Add-on plan. This is recommended

Local Transport

Auto(s) are exorbitantly high. Ola and Uber are non-existent. It’s a small city, if you’ve IRCTC Rooms Booked. You get a complimentary pick and drop to Banganga (Starting Point) on a shared basis.

You can also walk to Katra Bus Stand and afterwards Banganga.

Meals

Non veg, alcohol, tobacco etc are strictly banned. You’ve variety of good food options at Katra as well as Bhawan. But local shops etc are not reliable for food during trek, you have Bikanerwala and McDonald’s on the way though.

Trek Towards Holy Temple (Bhawan)

You can take stairs (saves time) or walk towards Adhkuwari ( Approx 6 KMs) and don’t forget to take Himkoti Route further (5.5 KM)

It’s newly built and also has Battery Cars available during the day time (Advance Reservation Needed). Offline tickets are barely available as there are long queues.

Alternatively you can take Horse or Palki, there are official rates but it varies based on supply and demand.

Facilities at Bhawan

There are unexpectedly high crowds given summer vacation and holidays. You can also book accommodation in advance at Bhawan if needed

You can find an Open Bathing Area near Gate Number 4 and a Free Locker to keep your phone and bags etc. But expect a long queue for Locker so plan accordingly or visit in batches to save time

Note - Smartphones, Electronics, Leather etc are not allowed inside Temple.

Darshan Queue for Holy Shrine

Depends on the timing but can take anywhere from 2 hours to 8 hours. If you’ve children or are travelling with senior citizens, try entering through Gate Number 4 in the last.

Hygiene and Public Toilets

This is one of the biggest concerns. The Shrine Board’s Management fails in handling public restrooms and toilets. During the trek as well as at Bhawan, it’s very difficult to find a clean hygiene washroom. Public to also blame here.

Prasad, Donation

Always buy from Official Counters of SVDK Shrine Board and not Private Shopkeepers. You can find couple of outlets at Bhawan for Prasad as well as Donation.

Important Tips :

Note down name, address, mobile number of guardian and put that slip in the pocket of Children/Family Members
Try to do Darshan by queuing up as early as 3 AM, preferably from Gate 3/4
Yatra after 7 PM or early morning is preferred given heatwaves
Beware from pickpockets
Stay hydrated, carry important medicines, food supplies, a blanket, 2-3 sets of locks, first aid kit etc
Don’t engage in any fights with Local, respect Local culture and rules