Jammu · Tourism Guide 2026
Katra & Vaishno Devi
India's second most-visited shrine — Mata Vaishno Devi at 1,560 m
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1,560 m
Shrine altitude
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Mar–Oct
Best time
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47 km / ~1.5 hrs
From Jammu
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Compulsory (free)
Yatra Parchi
About Katra & Vaishno Devi
Why visit Katra & Vaishno Devi?
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Trikuta Hill is one of the most-visited Hindu pilgrimages in India — roughly 8–10 million yatris every year. The base town is Katra, a compact and surprisingly well-organised pilgrimage hub at 875 m. From there it\'s a 12-km climb (or pony ride, palki or helicopter) up a paved track to the cave shrine at 1,560 m.
Unlike most Himalayan pilgrimages, the Vaishno Devi Yatra is open year-round. Even in December–February the track is cleared, though the air is cold and crowds thin. Peak seasons are Navratri (twice a year, March–April and September–October) when waits at the shrine can exceed 12 hours.
ATARA arranges Vaishno Devi tours from Jammu or combined with Patnitop / Kashmir. We book Yatra Parchi (mandatory free registration), helicopter tickets, pre-paid ponies, and Bhavan accommodation — all of which are far easier with advance planning than at the counter on the day.
Top things to do
Must-see places in Katra & Vaishno Devi
Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan
The main cave shrine at 1,560 m where the three pindis (rock manifestations) of the goddess reside. The holy cave has two entrances — old (longer, through narrow passage) and new (shorter).
Ardh Kunwari & Garbh Joon
The "halfway" shrine on the yatra route (~6 km up). Pilgrims crawl through a narrow tunnel (Garbh Joon) believed to replicate rebirth. Most travellers rest and take tea here.
Bhairon Nath Temple
The 2.5-km climb beyond the Bhavan. By tradition the yatra is incomplete without Bhairon darshan. A dedicated ropeway now links Bhavan to Bhairon temple.
Helicopter Service (Sanjichhat)
8-minute flight from Katra helipad to Sanjichhat (near Bhavan). Tickets book out weeks in advance; ATARA secures via the official SMVDSB portal. Return and one-way available.
Battery Car & Ropeway
Battery-operated cars run the last 2 km from Sanjichhat to Bhavan for elderly yatris. A new ropeway also links Bhavan to Bhairon Temple.
Katra Town & Ban Ganga
The yatra starts at Ban Ganga on the edge of Katra — a river believed to have emerged from Mata's arrow. Katra itself has plenty of dharmshalas, mid-range hotels and food for all diets.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit Katra & Vaishno Devi
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild 15–25°C. Chaitra Navratri crowds in late March/April — expect long waits.
Summer (Jun)
Hot in Katra (30°C+), cooler on the climb. Manageable with early starts.
Monsoon (Jul–Aug)
Track stays open but rain-soaked and slippery. Landslides can delay travel on NH-44.
Autumn–Winter (Sep–Feb)
Sharad Navratri (Sep-Oct) = peak crowds. Nov-Feb colder but uncrowded; track cleared even in snow.
Getting there
How to reach Katra & Vaishno Devi
By air: Jammu Airport (IXJ) is 45 km from Katra. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station is within Katra itself, 1 km from the yatra base.
By rail: SMVDK station has direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata. Vande Bharat runs from New Delhi — arrives early morning, convenient for a same-day Yatra.
Yatra Parchi (mandatory, free): Every yatri must have a registration slip — available at Katra counters or online via maavaishnodevi.org. ATARA handles this for all our Vaishno Devi clients.
The yatra route: Old track (12 km, via Ardh Kunwari) or new track (14 km, longer but gentler gradient). Ponies, palkis and battery cars available in sections. Budget 8–10 hrs return on foot.
Tour packages
Katra & Vaishno Devi tour packages
Read before you go
Katra & Vaishno Devi travel guides
Frequently asked
Katra & Vaishno Devi — FAQ
Yes — it's compulsory and free. Issued at Katra counters or online at maavaishnodevi.org. Carry valid photo ID. ATARA pre-books the slip for our pilgrimage clients to save waiting time.
Moderate. The 12-km (old track) climb is paved and gentle-grade but still a long walk with steady ascent. Most healthy adults manage in 4–6 hours. Elderly or unfit yatris take pony, palki, battery car or helicopter in combination.
If you're time-constrained or have mobility issues — yes. The 8-minute Katra → Sanjichhat flight saves around 6 hours. Book 3–4 weeks ahead via SMVDSB; ATARA arranges as part of your package.
Yes. The track is cleared year-round. Nov–Feb is actually less crowded but much colder — nights below freezing at Bhavan. Pack thermals and sturdy shoes.
SMVDSB runs cafeteria-style langar at Bhavan (free/donation) and mid-range hotel rooms. Private guesthouses at Sanjichhat and along the track. Alcohol, non-vegetarian food and leather are not permitted beyond Banganga.
Yes — a classic 7-day circuit: Jammu → Katra (Vaishno Devi, 2N) → Patnitop (1N) → Srinagar (2N) → Gulmarg/Pahalgam. See our Patnitop Views with Kashmir tour.
Plan your Katra & Vaishno Devi trip
Let ATARA DMC craft your Katra & Vaishno Devi itinerary
Speak to a local expert for the best hotels, transfers and sightseeing — customised to your dates and budget.
How to enquire: To request current seasonal pricing, hotel category options, vehicle availability or a formal itinerary quote for Katra & Vaishno Devi itinerary, use Request Callback, WhatsApp or the contact form. Share travel dates, traveller count, pickup city and preferred stay category so ATARA can respond with route-wise options.