Our visit to Vaishno Devi shrine-Jammu

soniabaxi

Our family have planned a visit to the Vaishno devi shrine in Jammu on 9-11 oct 2009.It was a short two day visit at weekend without taking any holiday from New Delhi.Our plan was to take train from new delhi at friday night & then return back to Delhi by Sunday evening train.so that we can join office on Monday.

Getting There-Jammu Station

1)We got our tickets booked in advance for Jammu through net-Two months in advance. This is quiet necessary for smooth travel or else you have to go for a Tatkal reservation.We've booked sampark kranti for the journey as it reaches there quiet early around 06:15 am(cost-Rs 261/-). Refer timings in attachment.Always hop on the train which reaches there early so that you get full two daysfor the journey.We reached there at 07:00 am around 45 min late.Ticket cost for Sleepers are around 261/- & for 3AC- Rs 900/- in rajdhani, 680 in others.Garib rath comes cheapest in 3AC.

2) Hired a prepaid Sumo from Jammu Taxi stand at Rs 850/- for Katra.The Journey to katra takes 1hr 30 min.after getting there first thing you have to do is to take yatra slip from near the bus stand.Its free.Then get yourself freshen up ,have breakfast,book you luggage in clock room etc.You can also book a room or a Dormitory(Rs 80/-)at Katra for Bhavan from Niharika Yatri Niwas near Bus stand.You can also hire a Chopper or Helicopter ride till Sanjhi Chhat from katra through proper Booking. Presently Deccan & Pawan Hans are running daily trips there .Booking at Deccan-01991234378 & pawan hans-01991282270


3)The trek to Bhavan is around 14 kms with very good facilities & safety.You can get almost everything on the way.The half way point is called adhkuwari from here the trek bifurcates into two halves.The old trek is operational with Ponies while the newerone has Battery operated Auto for service although its not running at present due to some court stayorder.Its always better to get Ponies & pitthoos booked at the begining for full journey.Don't miss the mesmerising view of the katra town below on your way up.
4)After the long trek we reached mata Bhawan from new trek.It generally takes 5 hrs for an adult to reach the Bhavan from Katra with rest periods in between.After taking a bath got in line for darshan.After darshan got back to our room & taken rest there.
5) The beauty of the bhavan in morning hours is wonderfull. Early morning at 7 am we started our back journey through Bhairon temple further uphill of bhavan.It takes around 45min to reach there.From there through adhkuwari we continued the down journey.We finally reached katra at 4pm.Taken lunch there & then hired a cab for the Jammu rlwy station to catch the 18:15 Pooja Express to New delhi.It was a wonderful journey all along the route .
6)Reached delhi at 04:15 Am monday morning.This timing is best if you have to join work same day although a little tiring.We got off at Delhi Cantt as the train passes through here while going to final destination of Ajmer.
You can also catch Delhi Metro train from old delhi Rlwy station for further connectivity to Delhi.

vko

Very nice and detailed writeup. I'm sure other members will find this very useful.

Btw, Welcome to IndiaMike!

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tilak2909

nicely written where are the pics??

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Indizen

Quite informative