Situated at a distance of 62 km from Jammu, the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located in Trikuta Mouninta at an elevation of 1615 meters from sea level. The shrine is considered to be one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. This is the place where devotees throng to pay homage to the Mother Goddess throughout the year. To reach the cave temple, devotees need to undertake 14 km uphill trekking on foot from Katra. Nowadays, chopper services are also available from Banganga to Sanji Chatt. In the shrine, mother goddess is worshiped in the form of three rock cut pindies that represents the Goddess Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station is the nearest railway station to the pilgrimage, some 20 km. Away from the Holy Bhawan. Although there is no direct flight connectivity, the nearest airport is in Jammu Tawi, which is some 46.7 km. away from Katra, if you travel via NH 144. Regular bus services ply between the base at Katra and other cities in India, primarily from Jammu Tawi, New Delhi, Amritsar etc. to begin with.
by flight
Jammu Airport, or Sarwari Airport, is the nearest airport that serves Katra. Regular air services ply for Katra through this airport. Once you have touched down, take a taxi from the airport and voila, you reach Katra in an hour. Buses are also available for this route. In Katra, however, helicopter services are available for the main Bhawan till Sanjhhi Chat, which is some 5 km. from the Holy Bhawan.
Nearest Airport: Jammu – 34 kms from Vaishno Devi
by road
Regular bus services ply to and fro the base of the pilgrimage, that is Katra. Buses, at extremely affordable rates, are available from places like New Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu Tawi as the list goes on. You can also take a shared taxi or cab once you’ve arrived at Jammu Tawi.
by train
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station at Katra is the nearest railway station from the holy cave of Vaishno Devi. Regular train services ply from almost every major city of India, which earlier stopped at Jammu Tawi. Luxurious accommodation is also available just near the railway station. Sree Shakti train that starts from Delhi on Friday evenings and returns to Delhi on Sunday morning is the best way to reach Vaishno Devi.