Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra during Navratri – A Ready Reckoner

Jai Mata Di

This is an attempt to give the details (as far I know) of visit to Katra, trek to Bhavan, having darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi and attending Aarti (called as Attka Aarti) at one place so that visitors in general and first timers in particular do not face any problem during their visit to the Shrine; and this works as a ready reckoner to them during their visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

I would also appreciate fellow IMikers giving their inputs and sharing their experiences so that this thread becomes richer in content. In the process we would be trying to address the queries also!

As we (PraKaanti along with me) are planning a visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine during Chaitra Navratri this year with a wish to attend Attka Aarti and have darshan in evening on Mahaashtmi (31st March 2012) and attend Attka Aarti and have darshan in morning on Mahanavami (on the day of Ramnavmi on 01st April 2012), my effort would be to collect as much information as possible so that it could be added in this thread. I would start with the information available with me and later to add other information in between.

Vasant or Chaitra Navratri would be from 23rd March 2012 (Ghatsthapna) to 1st April 2012 (Chaitra Shukla Paksha Navami). Nav Samvatsar starts on the first Navratri of Chaitra Shukla Paksha and so, Kalash Sthapna is being performed on the day.

In case a person is interested in attending Aarti, she/he would be required to register at the official website by clicking here. The registration opens thirty days prior to the intended visit. Occupancy rate is very high so it would be suggested to register at the earliest. New visitor is required to sign up before entering into the portal. The website gives all the details how to proceed. However, a devotee may arrive at Bhavan directly also and get the entry through queue for Aarti, The details would be furnished latter.

Journey begins from Katra, which is base camp of the Yatra! At present a Yaatri has to reach Jammu and then take a road journey to reach Katra. Katra Railway station would become functional very soon with a world class railway station and then trains would be reaching there from all over India. Till then a Yaari would be first reaching Jammu Tawi by train and take a bus to Katra. Airport is also located at Jammu. Few buses reach directly to Katra but others reach only up to Jammu. So Jammu is entry point for the Yatra.

Buses start from Jammu Tawi Railway Station for Katra. A passenger has to go to the Main Bus Stand for taking bus to other places.

Taxi stand is also just opposite to the railway station from where taxis could be taken for Katra, Srinagar, Pahalgam and other places also.

More is coming!

Loved the details, specially the highlighted part

Thanks, Saugat! I also love her as she is my permanent companion to all the places!!

It is suggested to start the trek in the morning hour, though it is frequented almost all the time! If the train/bus arrives before 6 in the evening, transfer to Katra could be done. Buses and Taxis are available at Jammu. There are two types of bus. I prefer buses run by JKRTC as they do not overcrowd the buses. It takes around one and a half hour to reach Katra.

If any one wishes to have night stay at Jammu may stay at Vaishnavi Dham (AC & Non AC rooms) and Saraswati Dham (AC Dormitory). The complete room rate could be checked by clicking here.

There are plenty of hotels in Katra besides accommodation by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at Niharika with reasonable rent. These rooms could be booked online also thirty days prior to the proposed stay. Another mode is by sending Demand Draft equivalent to room rent in favor of “The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board” payable at Katra/Jammu and by sending it by Speed post (as courier service does not exist there) to Dy. Manager (Enquiry & Reservation), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Shakti Bhawan, Niharika Complex (Near Bus Stand), KATRA, J&K Pin Code - 182301. It is always better to send the amount at least one and a half months prior to the proposed stay. The room rent is Rs 500/- for Double Bedded Non-AC, Non-Carpeted at Niharika, Katra. AC rooms and 4-bedded are also available there.

There are hotels also available in Katra.

The person, who does not wishes to have night stay in Katra, starts trek on arrival itself. Before starting trek a person is required to take Yatra Parchi, which is given free of cost near Katra bus stand. There are a lot of places now-a-days from where Yatra Parchi could be received that includes Vaishnavi Dham, and Saraswati Dham at Jammu.

The Yatra Parchi is required to be shown at Darshani Deodhi or Darshani Darwaja, which is located around 1 km from Katra Bus Stand. You would get a glimpse of Trikuta Parbat from here. This place has got a mythological significance. It is said that Mata Vaishno Devi had met Pandit Shridhar (who had first found the cave) at this spot in the form of a girl child.

One can walk to this place or an auto could be hired either on shared basis or fully. There a lot many shops on the way to Darshani Deodhi, from where a walking stick could be purchased. It helps during trek. In my opinion it is a must

But situation during the Navratri is quite different.

We had done registration for Maha ashtami (i.e. 31-March-2012) Yesterday morning. It was available, and had thought to get registration today morning.

We were praying to get the Aarti registration for Mahanavami also which is also Ramnavmi. The Aarti registration opened this morning and it is showing full at 0800 IST and no further registration could be done now. And I could not register for Aarti Darshan - neither for morning nor for evening! So imagine! What a big rush would be there during Navratri!

Now, we would try to attend Aarti through general queue on the morning of Ramanavmi i.e., 01-April-2012.

There is limited space on the hill so unlimited numbers of public could not be sent to have darshan. The management stops issuing Yatra Parchi when there is heavy rush.

my name is PRADEEP68 and i would like to know about upto when i can take an yatra parchi from the net as i will be having darshan on 11.4.2012

Hi Pradeep,

Just visit maavaishnodevi.org , this is the official website of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (J&K), register yourself as a devotee, log-in into Online Serives link, there you'll see Yatra Parchi Section, select the Date Of Darshan, and follow the cascading steps and your yatra parchi will be emailed to your on the email ID that you'll register in the Devotee section of the website....

JAI MATA DI