Katra “Shri Mata Vaishno Devi”
The Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is situated at a distance of 48 kms north of Jammu city and at an altitude of 5200 feet on Trikuta hills. A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages. The Holy Cave attracts millions of devotees every year. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.
Katra town, the base for the pilgrims, is a small town surrounded by green Trikuta hills. From Jammu the devotees reach Katra by bus and other private vehicles by road. Jammu and Udhampur are the nearest rail links to the Katra town with the rest of India. After reaching Katra town, the pilgrims have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the pilgrims are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave and the Yatra is open all around the year.
More Information
| Area | 1.5 sq. kms |
| Altitude | 754 m |
| Temperature | Max Min |
| Summer | 18°C 24°C |
| Winter | 14°C 10°C |
| Average Rainfall | 1206 mm |
| Best Season | March till November |
| Clothing | Summer: Light Cottons. Winter: Woolens |
| Population | 9,008(as per Census 2011) |
| Languages | Urdu, Hindi & English |
Getting There
Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji
At a distance of two and half kilometer from Sanji Chhat and twelve kilometers from the Darshani Darwaza, lies the holy Shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi Ji. The Bhawan is located at an altitude of 5200 feet above sea level. There are large numbers of Dharamshalas at VaishnoDevi Ji, which provide free accommodation to the pilgrims. Blankets are also available for the pilgrims free of cost. Security is to be deposited for hiring the blankets. The Shrine Board also provides rooms on rent to the pilgrims at Bhawan. The Shrine is open for darshan round the clock every day except for two hours in the morning (6 A.M. to 8 A.M.) and for two hours in the evening (from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M) when ARTI is performed.
Returning from the cave, pilgrims have to climb up a steep hillside to ‘Bhairo Ghati’ and then join at Sanji Chhat and back down wards along the same path to Katra.
Darshans
Once inside the Holy cave, the pilgrims are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess. These darshans are the shape of the natural rock formations called Pindies. The Pindi to the extreme right of the devotee is distinctly dark in shape and represents Mata Maha Kali ji. The Pindi in the centre with a reddish tinge represents Mata Maha Lakshmi ji and the distinctly Pindi to the extreme left represents the Goddess Mata Maha Saraswati Ji. Ther are no whitish statues or idols inside the cave. Darshans are open for the Yatries throughout the year.
What to buy
Tourists/ Pilgrims can buy local handicraft and handloom items like, Pashmina Shawls, Souvenirs, Rajmahas, Anardaana and local rice which is of high quality. They can also buy religious items/souvenirs like- sarees, bangles, Photos, lockets, key chains etc. with cravings Mata Viashnodevi paintings.
Where to buy
There are number of shops at Katra and Bhawan from where the pilgrims can buy the items for pooja. Ther are shops established and run by the Shrine Board , which sell pooja items(bhaints) at cheaper rates for the convience of the pilgrims. In addition to it Shrine board may run such shops for selling souvenirs and pooja items for the pilgrims. Pilgrims can buy local craft and handloom items from the Govt. Emporiums situated at the bus stand at Katra town.
WHAT TO SEE IN KATRA
One can visit the near by Shalimar Park, Raghunath Temple, Mahalakshmi mandir, Chinta Mani Temple, Kalika Temple and Bhumika Mandir, which have the historical importance and are places of Tourist interests around Katra.
Shiv Khori
The devotees coming for the darshans of the deity can club their pilgrimage with the visit of these places. Specially during the rush time when there is a waiting at Katra.
Baba Dhansar
This Temple of Lord Shiva is located at a distance of about 15 Kms. from Katra on way to Salal Dam. Here, a huge spring emerges from the rocks in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small cascading waterfalls.
From Darshani Darwaza to Banganga
From this area on-ward the pilgrims have to go forward either on foot or on a pony, a palki and dandi (Palanquin). The holy Shrine is located at a distance of twelve kilometers from Darshani Darwaza. Ponies and palkies are available for hire at Banganga on rates fixed by the state government. The yatra parchi is checked and stamped at the Banganga check post. This is done to prevent people who do not possess a yatra parchi from proceeding for the yatra.
Banganga to Charan Paduka
At a distance of two and half kilometer from the Darshani Darwaza at a height of 3200 feet above sea level is the place known as Charan Paduka.Here is an impression of Mata’s feet on a rock at Charan Paduka. A small temple has been constructed over the rock at Charan Paduka.
Charan Paduka to Adhkuwari
Six kilometer from the Darshani Darwaza at height of 4200 feet is the place known as Adhkuwari. The Shrine Board has constructed a large complex at Adhkawari comprising Dharamshalas, medical dispensary, a chemist shop, a bank, a pony stand and a large number of Bhojanalya at Adhkawari which is open for twenty four hours. Pilgrims first go to the temple at Adhkuwari and then enter the narrow cave called as Garbh Joon.
Ardh Kuwari Cave ( Garbh Joon)
Pilgrims first go to the temple at Adhkawari and then enter the narrow cave of 15 ft known as Garbha Joon. At most places the cave is not more than two feet wide. In spite of this people of all sixes are able to crawl though it. This cave is believed to be symbolic of the womb.
The legend states that Garbha Joon where the Goddess hid herself for nine months and showed her self to a saint. The cave is narrow, and you have to almost crawl all the way though it. When Bhairo nath entered the cave, the Goddess made a new opening with her trident and ran away. Ardh Kuwari is 4.5-km from Charan Paduka. A few yards from AdhKuwari is the most difficult part of the ascent called ‘Hathi Matha’ i.e; elephant’s forehead and then one reaches Sanji Chhat.
Adhkuwari to Sanji Chhat
Nine and half kilometers from the Darshani darwaza lies sanji Chhat at an altitude of 5870 feet above sea level. It is a charming little plateau, which affords a panoramic view of the Pir Panchal range and the Chenab River wending its way majestically to Pakistan. Dharamshalas providing free accommodation, a shopping complex and a Bhojanalya of the Shrine Board are available here for the convenience of the pilgrims. Two helipads have also been constructed at Sanji Chhat.
DISTANCES FROM KATRA AND ALTITUDE
| Location | Distance(Kms) | Altitude(ft.) |
| Katra Town | 0 Km | 2500 |
| Ban-Ganga | 1 Km | 2800 |
| Charan-Paduka | 2.5 Km | 3380 |
| AdhKwari | 6 Km | 4800 |
| Himkoti | 8.5 Km | 5120 |
| Sanji Chhat | 9.5 Km | 6200 |
| Bhawan | 13.0 Km | 5200 |
| Bhairon Temple (Via Bhawan) | 14.5 Km | 6619 |