10 Things to Know Before Visiting Vaishno Devi Mandir

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One of the most important pilgrimage sites in India lies among the mountains and clouds. Located at Trikuta Mountains in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Vaishno Devi is the most popular and widely visited Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess. In 2022, more than 91 lakh pilgrims visited the Vaishno Devi Mandir. These numbers do not lie and it has given a boost to Kashmir tourism. Being located in one of the most breathtaking locations, Vaishno Devi is among one of the best places to visit in Kashmir.

Things to Know Before Visiting Vaishno Devi Mandir

Be it your first pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi or the curiosity to see this famous place there are a few things you should keep in mind before you go there:

1. Best time to visit Vaishno Devi Mandir
2. Travel Smart
3. Registration
4. Walk the roads
5. Pony or Doli Rides
6. Fly in the sky
7. Pray at ArdhKuwari Temple
8. Stop at Sanjichhat
9. Eateries
10. Bhawan

Best time to visit Vaishno Devi Mandir

Irrespective of the time, Vaishno Devi always has its share of visitors. The best time to visit is during summer when the weather is just perfect on the mountains. If you are visiting during the monsoons or winter, you need to keep in mind that weather conditions are prone to change. Special days like New Year’s Eve, Navratras and summer vacation or festivals are very crowded. The waiting time is too long so it is best avoided to plan during this time.

The below chart helps you to find the best time to visit Vaishno Devi Mandir:

Travel Smart

Depending on your time of visit, make sure you carry the right attire. If you are travelling during winter, carry gloves, scarves, and woollens to keep you warm. Also, wear comfortable shoes even if you do not plan to trek. When travelling in the summer, use lightweight cotton clothing inside because the sun is intensely bright.

Registration

You will need to register yourself for the Yatra. This can be obtained from Yatra Registration Counter at Katra and you do not need to pay for the same. Once you have a registration slip, you will have to cross the first check post at Banganga within 6 hrs of issuance of the Yatra Slip.

Walk the roads

You have the option taking the 12 km trek from Katra. The temple lies at an altitude of 52000 feet. So you should be prepared for a long walk. The trek itself is smooth as the way is well paved. If you do not wish to walk on the slope, you have the option of climbing steep stairs as well. Start your trek at nightfall, as this will give you an amazing opportunity to catch the sight of the rising sun from the mountain beds, clasping the entire valley in its sunshine.

Pony or Doli Rides

If you are not keen on walking or are travelling with senior citizens, you have the option of taking a pony ride as well. They have a fixed rate and you can get all relevant information about the prices and availability on various signboards or at the Assistance Centres at Katra, Banganga and other places. Battery-operated autos for senior citizens are available during the day.

Fly in the sky

You also have the option of choosing a helicopter service, which is available from Katra to Sanjhichatt helipad. The service needs to be pre-booked as there is high demand for the rides.

Pray at ArdhKuwari Temple

In the middle of the journey to the Holy Shrine, the ArdhKuwari Temple cave is a must-visit. The pilgrimage to Vaishnodevi is considered incomplete till this temple is visited. It is widely believed that Mata Vaishnodevi spent 9 months in the ArdhKuwari Gufa for meditation before residing in the Vaishno Devi Bhavan and defeating the demon Bhairavnath.

Stop at Sanjichhat

Sanjichhat is a beautiful spot located at a distance of 3.25 km from Ardhkunwari. The panoramic view of the valley and snow-covered Himalayan peaks can be enjoyed from here.

Eateries

There are plenty of eateries and refreshment centres throughout the route maintained by the Shrine Board. The Bhojanalayas offer delicious rajma rice, puri chole, dosa, kadipakoda and dahi vada. Keep yourself nourished and hydrated on the journey

Bhawan

The main complex, known as the Bhawan, has free and rented accommodation facilities, vegetarian restaurants, a medical unit, blanket stores, cloakrooms, and shops selling religious offerings and souvenirs.

When you reach the cave, you can spot three pindis which symbolise Goddesses Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Goddess Vaishnodevi symbolizes their union, having the power of all three. We at SOTC can help you plan a trip to Vaishno Devi so that you get there without any hassles. Browse through our Kashmir tour packages for a memorable trip to Vaishno Devi.

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People also asked about Vaishno Devi Mandir

1. Is there any entry fee to visit the temple?

   Yes. There is an entry fee of Rs.1oo per person. It is an offline booking.

2. Can I carry a digital camera in Vaishno Devi temple?

   No. Digital cameras and other electronic equipment are not allowed.

3. Are there any medical facilities available at the temple?

   Yes. To help the pilgrims, medical aid centres have been established along the paths to Bhawan, Katra, Sanjichhat, Himkoti, Adhkuwari, Bharion, etc. Report right away to the closest medical aid centre if there’s any emergency. Every viewpoint and Bhojanalaya has medical first aid equipment.

4. What are the darshan timings for Vaishno Devi Mandir?

   Entry to the temple premises is permitted from 5 AM until 12 PM, after which the temple closes for arati and is reopened from 4 PM until 9 PM.

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