The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most visited pilgrim sites in India. Situated at a height of 5, 300 ft., the site is located inside a cave in a hill. One of the most visited pilgrim sites in India, the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located in a cave, amidst the folds of the Trikuta Bhagwati hill at a height of 5, 300 ft., in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K). This cave temple is at a distance of 61 kms from Jammu and the last 13 kms of the way have to be negotiated on foot by the yatris, as the devotees are called. Once at the entrance to the cave, the path turns into a narrow tunnel with a cold stream named the Charan Ganga running through it. The pilgrim has to wade through this to reach the sanctum sanctorum.

The holy cave shrine of Vaishno Devi is nestled in a beautiful recess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas. It is located 61 km north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the cave there are images of three deities viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

The main season for visiting the shrine is from March till July. The area’s very cold through most of the year, so this is the best time to visit. Even during the summer, the temperature’s not exactly high, so take along light woollens just in case it gets cold.

The airport closest to the Vaishno Devi shrine is at Jammu. Jammu is an important transit hub, well connected to the rest of the country through air, train and road links. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate regular flights to Jammu from Srinagar and Delhi; Indian Airlines also has two flights weekly from Leh to Jammu. A large number of trains link Jammu to major Indian cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bhopal, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Similarly, an extensive network of roads links Jammu to other parts of the country.

For pilgrims headed for the shrine, the base for the trek up to Vaishno Devi is Katra, 50 km from Jammu. Katra is connected to Jammu by National Highway 1A); regular buses and taxis are available for Katra from Jammu Airport, from the Railway station and from the General Bus Stand in Jammu. Buses leave the bus stand every 15 minutes for the shrine; bus services operate from 6 am to 8 pm.

For entry into the shrine, devotees need to get a Yatra slip issued by the Shrine Board at Katra. The Shrine Board operates a Tourism Reception Centre at the Katra bus stand, from where the slip can be obtained; it’s free of charge. The slip must be presented at the Banganga checkpost within 6 hours of being issued. Furthermore, when you reach the Bhawan, just below the shrine, you’ll need to present the slip in order to be assigned a place in the queue of devotees waiting to go up to the shrine.

From Katra, the shrine is a 13 km trek up a mountain; the climb can be done on foot or by using ponies and dandies (local palanquins).

The most convenient place to stay is Jammu, just over 60 km away. Jammu has a number of good hotels, guest houses and inns, both private and government-owned. Katra itself has a number of guesthouses where it is possible to get a room.

Along the 13 km climb from Katra to Vaishno Devi are a number of shelters where pilgrims can rest for a while. Ardhkunwari, Sanji Chhat (4.5 km short of the shrine), and the Bhawan have accommodation, though limited. Accommodation is always at a premium, so if you plan to stay overnight along the route to Vaishno Devi, it’s essential to make reservations beforehand.

Teashops and snack bars dot the route leading to the shrine; these serve only vegetarian food.

Further information and help regarding visits to the Vaishno Devi shrine can be obtained from the Shrine Board in Jammu (Tel: 0191-2433742).