Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Yatra Info - Yatrasthal

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Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Yatra Info - Yatrasthal

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is located on the Trikoot Mountains in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This temple is dedicated to Vaishno
Mata Vaishno Devi

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is located on the Trikoot Mountains in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This temple is dedicated to Vaishno Mata, who is a form of Mother Goddess Shakti Durga. Mata Vaishno Devi is also known by many names like Samanta Mata, Rani Vaishnavi Durga and Sherawali Mata. In this temple, Adishakti form Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Maa Saraswati in pindi form are present in a cave since Treta Yuga and Mata Vaishno Devi herself is present here in her eternal formless form.

According to Veda Puranas, this temple is one of the 108 Shaktipeeths. This temple is situated at a distance of 12 kilometers from Katra city of Jammu and Kashmir and at an altitude of 5,200 feet above sea level. It is one of the most revered holy pilgrimage sites of North India where lakhs of pilgrims come every year to visit it. This temple is maintained by a trust named Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Tirtha Mandal. It is one of the most famous Siddha Peetha temples of North India. The wishes of all the devotees who come here are fulfilled.

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple History

According to the stories, the holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi was discovered by a Pandit 'Shridhar'. Mata Vaishnavi appeared in the priest's dream and instructed him how to find an abode here on the Trikuta hills. As per the instructions given by Maa Vaishnavi the priest set out for the journey and as per the instructions he found a cave on the hills of Trikuta. After this, Mother Vaishno Devi appeared before him and blessed him with four sons. He also gave the boon of protection of that cave. Even today the descendants of Pandit Sridhar remain firm on that commitment. Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was formed in 1986 to maintain the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and since then it has become the most popular religious place in Jammu attracting a large number of devotees.

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Legends

According to the legend, Vaishno Mata was born in the house of Ratnakar of South India. Before the mother was born, her parents had children. The night before her birth, her mother had taken a promise that whatever the girl wanted, she would not come in her way. In childhood, mother's name was Trikuta but due to being born in the lineage of Lord Vishnu, her name was called Vaishnavi. For the welfare of mankind, Mata Vaishno Devi took birth as a beautiful princess in the form of Mata Parvati, Mata Saraswati and Lakshmi in Treta Yuga. After doing penance on Trikuta hill, Mata Vaishno Devi merged into the subtle form of Mahalakshmi Mahakali and Mata Saraswati and settled on Trikuta mountain.

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board

The pilgrimage site of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India, keeping this in mind, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was legally formed in 1986. The work of this Shrine Board is to look after the arrangements and development of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage site. The gifts and donations given by the devotees in Mata Vaishno Devi Temple are deposited with the Board. The Board spends it on a variety of humanitarian and development work for the devotees and local residents living around the pilgrimage site.

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board also provides clean, well managed and very affordable accommodation facilities to the pilgrims for the benefit of the pilgrims. Such accommodation facility is available at Vaishnavi Dham and Saraswati Dham located at Jammu Railway Station and Shakti Dham located at Niharika Katra and Bus Stand Katra. Registration of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is done by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The Board is the only legally authorized body to do this work.

Best Time to Visit Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is open for pilgrims 12 months of the year. According to pilgrims, the best month to visit Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is from March to October. Vaishno Devi temple is crowded with devotees during these months of the year. During these months the temperature and weather here is cool, pleasant and full of joy. But most of the pilgrims come during Navratri to visit Mata Vaishno Devi.

In the off season, during the months of November to February, the temperature here reaches below zero degree Celsius due to which it becomes extremely cold. During these months, only those pilgrims who are physically healthy come for darshan. Areas like Katra around the temple get covered with snow.

Things to Know Before Visiting Vaishno Devi Temple

  • To visit Mata Vaishno Devi, one has to travel 13 kilometers on foot. Pony and ropeway services are also available for those who are unable to walk.
  • It is strictly prohibited to carry non-vegetarian food and intoxicating substances like alcohol, tobacco, gutka, cigarette and Shikhar etc. while travelling.
  • Cameras are not allowed during the trek.
  • The journey slip has to be obtained from the journey registration counter near Katra bus station. It is not allowed to visit Mata Vaishno Devi without a travel slip.
  • The distance from Katra to Bhawan is 13 kilometers which takes 5 to 8 hours to climb.
  • There are two routes from Ardhkuwari to Vaishno Devi Bhawan, one is a steep climb of 6.5 kilometers and the other is a shorter and less steep route of 5.5 kilometers.
  • The fare by ropeway is ₹100 per person both ways from Bhavan to Bhairavnath Temple.
  • The fare from Katra to Sanjichhat by helicopter is Rs 1730. Pony rides are also available from the helipad to the building.
  • Massage chairs are also available en route which costs ₹50 for 15 minutes.
  • Yatri Niwas/Ashram is available by the Shrine Board at Katra Bus Stop.
  • Free and paid basic accommodation is available in Katra, Ardhkumari, Sanjichhat and Bhawan.

How to Reach Mata Vaishno Devi Temple?

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple can be reached by rail, road, air. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the pilgrimage site which is located 20 kilometers away from the holy building. The nearest airport here is Jammu Tawi which is located 47 kilometers away from here. Here you can reach Katra bus stand by road via NH-144 with the help of bus service from any city of India.

By Rail: The nearest railway station here is Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station which is located 20km away from the sacred building. This railway station is very well connected to other railway cities of India.

By Air: The nearest airport to Vaishno Devi Temple is Jammu Airport which is located 47 kilometers from the pilgrimage site. Taxis are available from the airport to the shrine with the help of which you will easily reach the holy building.

By Road: Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is well connected to other cities of India by road. It is easily accessible by road via National Highway 144. You can come here by bus service or also by your own vehicle.

Helicopter Service for Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

Helicopter service is available from Katra to Sanjichhat for Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Only 5 to 6 passengers can travel by helicopter at a time. The sacred building is located 2.5 kilometers away from Sanjhichhat. From here you can reach the sacred building by pony, palanquin and porter service. You can book the helicopter facility through the official website of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. One way fare from Katra to Sanjichhat is Rs 1730 per person. The fare from Katra to Sanjichhat both ways is Rs 3460 per person.

Darshan time: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM ; 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM.