Vaishno Devi Yatra: Frequently Asked Questions

Darshan of the three Holy Pindis — three natural rock heads rising from a single rock in the Holy Cave, revered as Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. There are no idols in the cave.

Yes. The Shrine Board streams the aarti and darshan through the "Live Arti/Darshan" button on its official website (maavaishnodevi.org), its official Maa Vaishno Devi app and its official YouTube channel. Use only official channels.

Only a few moments. Darshan runs in a continuously moving queue through the narrow cave, round the clock, so be ready and keep moving.

Darshan pauses for nearly two hours during the morning aarti (just before sunrise) and the evening aarti (just after sunset). The Yatra can also be suspended in bad weather.

No. Photography is not permitted inside the Holy Cave. Phones and cameras must be deposited at the free cloak rooms before joining the darshan queue.

Yes. Under the Shrine Board's individual Poojan scheme, a havan can be performed in your name without you being present, and prasad is sent by courier. Book only on the official portal (online.maavaishnodevi.org).

The aarti performed in front of the Holy Cave every morning and evening. Attendance can be booked through the Shrine Board's official portal, subject to availability.

At the Shrine Board's Yatra Registration Counter near the main bus stand in Katra, at YRC-II near the second bus stand on Udhampur Road, or through the official online portal. Registration is free.

You must cross the first check post at Banganga within six hours of the card being issued. Otherwise the card is confiscated and you must register again. Register only when you are ready to start.

Yes. A separate card is issued to every pilgrim.

Yes. Registration is entirely free and only Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board can issue it. Anyone charging for registration is not authorised.

About 30,000–35,000 pilgrims can have darshan in a day. When arrivals exceed this, registration is paused and pilgrims are asked to wait in Katra. Check the Yatra status on the official website before you travel.

Yes, through the Shrine Board's official online services portal (online.maavaishnodevi.org). Follow the instructions on the portal for collecting or activating your card. Never use unofficial websites.

It varies with fitness, crowds and the route. Many walking pilgrims allow most of a day for the round trip, plus time in the darshan queue, which can be long at peak times. Plan for a full day and night.

Yes. According to the Shrine Board, darshan is open round the clock throughout the year. It pauses for about two hours during the morning and evening aarti.

Comfortable flat-soled shoes with good grip, and layers. Even in summer the Bhawan is cool at night, and in winter heavy woollens are needed. Carry rain protection in the monsoon. See What to carry.

Phones, cameras, belts, combs, shoes and other items not allowed in the Holy Cave must be deposited at the free cloak rooms at the Bhawan before darshan. Rules on electronic items along the track can change, so follow the instructions of security staff.

Yes. The Shrine Board runs Bhojanalayas at Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat and the Bhawan (round the clock at the Bhawan) and refreshment units along both tracks. Food on the route is vegetarian.

It is optional, but many devotees believe the Yatra is complete only after visiting Bhairon Temple, about 1.5 km above the Bhawan. A passenger ropeway connects the Bhawan and Bhairon Ghati.

Yes. The Shrine Board offers rented rooms and dormitories (book on the official portal) and free rest halls on a first-come, first-served basis, with free blankets against a refundable deposit.

For walkers, Tarakote Marg (Banganga area to Adhkuwari) followed by the alternate track via Himkoti is the gentlest. Both are free of ponies, and battery cars run on the alternate track. See Katra to Bhawan.

No. Ponies use the traditional (old) track. The alternate track via Himkoti does not allow ponies.

Hire only registered operators. Check that their ID card is valid for the current year, pay no more than the fixed rates displayed on sign boards and at assistance centres, and keep their card until you reach your destination. See Ponies, palkis & pithus.

About 1.5 km, and roughly 1,400 ft higher, at 6,619 ft. You can walk or take the Bhawan–Bhairon ropeway.

Between Katra and Sanjichhat. From Sanjichhat it is about 2.5 km, mostly level or gently sloping, to the Bhawan.

Only through the Shrine Board's official online portal. Fake websites and social media pages selling helicopter tickets are a recurring scam. Never pay an agent who promises tickets.

The Shrine Board provides battery cars on the alternate track between Adhkuwari and the Bhawan for infirm, sick and differently-abled devotees, subject to availability. Book on the official portal.

Yes. A passenger ropeway links the Bhawan and Bhairon Temple. Its hours are set by the Shrine Board and it may stop in bad weather.

Jammu Airport, about 50 km from Katra by road. Taxis take about 70–80 minutes according to the Shrine Board.

By train from Jammu Tawi to SVDK Katra, by bus (every 10–15 minutes according to the Shrine Board, about 2 hours), or by taxi (about 70–80 minutes). See Jammu to Katra.

Yes. Since June 2025 trains run from Katra to the Kashmir valley across the Chenab bridge, including the Srinagar–Katra Vande Bharat Express (about three hours).

Near the main bus stand if you want to walk to the registration counter and start early, or near the railway station if you arrive late. Shrine Board accommodation is available in Katra, on the mountain and in Jammu. See Hotels & stay.

On the Shrine Board's official online portal, or at the reception and reservation counters (for example at the Niharika complex in Katra), subject to availability.

Yes. Free halls at Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat and the Bhawan are available on a first-come, first-served basis. During heavy rush, free accommodation is also arranged in Katra.

Yes, many do. Options that reduce walking include the helicopter to Sanjichhat, battery cars from Adhkuwari, palkis and ponies, and the ropeway to Bhairon Temple. Consult a doctor first. See Senior citizens.

No, according to the Shrine Board. But people with heart, breathing or joint problems should consult a doctor first and avoid the stairs.

There are medical facilities at Banganga, Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat (hospital) and the Bhawan (dispensary with ICU), plus a block hospital and 24-hour charitable dispensary in Katra.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, set up in August 1986 under the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir is its ex-officio Chairman.

Three natural rock formations in the Holy Cave, revered as Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. There are no idols in the cave.

The Holy Cave is at about 5,200 ft above sea level. Katra is at about 2,500 ft and Bhairon Ghati at about 6,619 ft.