Vaishno Devi Katra
Devotees from all over the world visit the Vaishno Devi Mata Temple. This is one of the most famous shrines for Shakti worshippers. For the devotees, the Vaishno Devi Katra is of great importance. According to the belief of the devotees, it takes the calling of the Goddess herself to reach this temple. The journey from the higher elevation of the location to the beauty of the spot makes it a thrilling location. Even travelers visit this area to continue trekking through the trails and exploring the beauty of the place.
However, if you are planning a trip to Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, you must remember certain things. You need to know how to reach the destination. Knowing the best time to visit Vaishno Devi is essential. Vaishno Devi experiences snowfall and the hilly terrain is something you need to know before visiting the location. In this article, I will mention everything you need to know about when to travel to Vaishno Devi Katra. So keep reading, as this will be helpful if you plan a visit there.
Overview of Vaishno Devi Katra
Located on top of Trikuta Hill, the Vaishno Devi temple is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the country. It is located 13 km away from Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. Vaishno Devi Mata, or Mata Rani, is the presiding deity here, and according to the devotees, she is mighty. They believe that the Mother Goddess fulfils every wish of her children here. Here, the Goddess appears in three different forms: Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. Over one crore of devotees visit this temple in a year, making it one of the most visited pilgrimage sites.
How to reach Vaishno Devi Katra
- By air
There are no direct flights or airports to Vaishno Devi. The nearest airport is Jammu Airport, which is about 34 km away. From the airport, buses travel this route to the temple. You can also take a cab or hire a car. Flights to Jammu are available from cities like Delhi, Amritsar, etc.
- By helicopter
The helicopter service to reach the Vaishno Devi Temple is also a trendy way to reach the temple. This ride offers a beautiful experience to travellers. The ride starts from Katra’s foothills, so you must get it first. From there, the helicopter ride will start and end in Sanjichhat. The ride is approximately 8 minutes. From Sanjhichatt, the temple is at a distance of 2. 5 km. The tickets are available at the counters, and you must provide a valid ID Proof and travel documents to get tickets. Also, booking the Vaishno Devi Katra helicopter online is an option. You can get tickets from https://www.maavaishnodevi.org.
Each helicopter can accommodate around six people at a time. For a one way ride the ticket charge is Rs. 1730 and for a 2 way ride it is Rs. 3460 per person.
- By train
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station is the nearest railway station to reach Vaishno Devi Temple, about 20 km away. So if you plan to travel by train, you will have to go to the railway station to reach the temple. From major cities, you will get to the railway station. Vaishno Devi Katra train is available from Delhi as well. One famous Delhi to Vaishno Devi Katra train is the Shree Shakti train, which you can check out. Delhi to Vaishno Devi Katra, the distance by train is 578 km, and it takes about 8 hours to reach there.
Other than that, the Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the nearest railway station to reach the temple, which is 51 km away. You can get trains from major cities to reach this railway station.
- By road
Regular bus services take this route to Katra, the base of the Vaishno Devi journey. Also, you can either hire a car or get cabs to reach here from different locations like Jammu Tawi, Delhi, Amritsar, Haridwar, etc. Delhi to Vaishno Devi Katra, the distance by car is 665 km, and it would take around 13 hours to reach there.
From Faridabad to Vaishno Devi Katra, the distance is 688 km, and it takes less than 14 hours to reach the place by road. If you are travelling from Agra to Vaishno Devi Katra, the distance is 873 km, and it takes about 16 hours to reach there by road. From Amritsar, the distance is 272 km, and it takes about 7 hours to reach the temple. Haridwar to Vaishno Devi Katra distance is 630 km, and it takes about 13 hours to get there. Besides buses or cabs, shared rides are also available from many locations, which you can opt for.
- By trek
The trekking trail to Vaishno Devi is a lit path that allows devotees to trek all day long throughout the year. This trekking path has all the facilities, from food stalls to medical aids, toilets, etc. The trek starts from Katra and ends at the temple. However, horses, palanquins, and ponies can also cover some distance for you, so you can opt for that as well. The whole trek is about 12 km long.
What is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi, and what is the best season?
You can visit Vaishno Devi Temple all year round, but the best time to visit is from March to July. This is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi temple because of the Vaishno Devi Katra temperature during this time. The weather during these months is not too cold and therefore visiting here would be more comfortable. January and February are the coldest months here; thus, this is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi, which is less crowded as fewer people visit during this period. August and September are rainy, while October and November are pleasant times to visit here.
Vaishno Devi Katra in Summer (March to June)
From March, the summer season starts in Vaishno Devi. Summer is the best season to visit the temple, primarily because of the Vaishno Devi Katra weather. May, June, and July are the peak months for tourists visiting here. However, it is not a peak season; this time is ideal for a visit for people who prefer to stay a little away from the crowd. Primarily because of the higher altitude, the weather remains quite pleasant, though. The days are hotter, but during the night, the temperature drops to a certain level. You might also have to wear light woollens by the evening, so pack well.
Vaishno Devi Katra in Monsoon (July to September)
The monsoon season in Vaishno Devi looks beautiful, and the lush greenery around it is excellent. The area receives moderate rainfall, but there is a chance of mudslides during this time. Technically, it is not advisable to go on a yatra during these months as it can be risky. However, this is also the time when the prices of hotel travel will be low because of the off-season. Anyone on a tight budget can plan a visit around this time. But of course, I will collect proper knowledge on the existing weather and road conditions to avoid hassle.
Vaishno Devi Katra in Autumn (October to November)
This is the peak season for the pilgrims in Vaishno Devi. With Navratri and Diwali, the whole area gets dressed for the festivities. There are frequent yatras with excited pilgrims chanting Jai Mata Di. October is the most crowded, so if you visit around that time, be prepared. After Diwali, however, the crowd thins down. November is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi. There is one way to understand the crowd here. You can log in to the official site of Vaishno Devi and check the count of devotees. The crowd will be average if it is between 15 000 and 18 000. And if there were more, then it would be very crowded. Also, the Vaishno Devi temperature gets low during this time, so bring warm clothes along.
Vaishno Devi Katra in Winter (December to February)
These are the cold winter months in Vaishno Devi. It will be the best time to visit Vaishno Devi in January to enjoy snowfall. The region experiences snowfall, which creates a mystic charm here. The Weather Vaishno Devi Katra can be a concern during this time period. The temperature during this time goes to sub-zero, which is very cold. You will have to be physically fit to reach the temple during this period. It is also the best time to visit Vaishno Devi in December if you are prepared to take the chill.
Wrapping Up!
Vaishno Devi Katra is like one site of pilgrimage that would require a lot of effort and willpower to reach. It takes a lot of strength to go through the journey to reach the temple finally. After you get there, you will instantly know how all of this is worth the hard work. To experience the divine, you must plan a yatra to the Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. I have mentioned everything about how you can reach the temple and the best time to visit Vaishno Devi. So based on that, you can choose your favourite time and then plan a visit to this location. Let me know when you are planning a trip to this location. Also, let me know if this article will help you plan a trip to the Vaishno Devi Temple.
