Appropriate Season :

The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winter due to snow fall.

How to reach :

i) Air Way; Nearest Air-port at Jammu . Daily flights from New Delhi to Srinagar. These flights (IA) connect
  Chandigarh & Amritsar on some days of the week.

ii) By Rail; Daily trains from New Delhi to Jammu. Besides, it is connected with other major cities of the country.

iii) By Road; Daily Bus service at short intervals from New Delhi to Jammu in the terminus of a large number of Inter
     State bus services . From Jammu to Katra-48 kms distance is to be covered up by bus and taxi services.

iv) Trekking:

Trekking of 13 kms starts from katra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine . Those who cannot comfortably walk can hire pony or dandi (Palanquin). Pithus can be hired for carrying children & luggage on shoulders. It is advisable to avail the services of only registered people and keep their token for the period they are engaged.

Where to stay:

At Jammu ; Yatri Niwas managed by the shrine Board and various private hotels, the room rent ranges from Rs. 300/- to 3000/- per day. At Katra; Yatri Niwas managed by the shrine Board, Rest houses maintained by Jammu & Kashmir Tourist
Department & other hotels.

YATRA

The yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 kms on foot to reach the Darbar/Shrine.

Yatris are advised to obtain slip from the Yatra Registration counter at the Tourism Reception Centre, Katra Bus Stand. Without an authentic yatra slip, crossing Banganga check post will not be allowed . the slip is free but necessary to commence the years.

One km away from Katra, Banganga is situate, a place where Mata quenched her thirst. Six kms away from Katra, you will find Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months. Do visit the cave.

After 9.5 kms of trekking , you will reach Sanjhi Chhat where you can rest for some time. Accommodation is available at this place. Bhawan is just 3.5 kms away from here.

The entire 13 kms route is quite clean , wide & tiled. Besides, the whole path is lit up at night by powerful sodium vapour lamps. The yatris are requested to keep the path clean.

Shelter cum sheds & cafeterias are set up enroute and pure vegetarian food is available at these outlets. Drinking water & public utilities with automatic flushing system along the track and at the Bhawan are made available.

On reaching Bhawan, show your yatra slip at the Registration Office and obtain the Batch No. provided on the slip. This number will determine your place in the queue for darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi.

Have a bath and change your cloths.
Buy chuni & prasad.