The cave temple of Mata Vasihno Devi ji or Trikuta Bhagwati (alt: 5,200 ft.) has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions of devotees from all over the world. The pilgrimage to the temple holds great significance for the pilgrims.
Katra Town, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains, 48 kms. from Jammu, serves as the base camp for visiting the famous temple of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid footpath. Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass through Katra on their way to the holy temple.
The Legend of Mata Vaishno Devi ji – Everyday of the year throngs of people surge up the steep pathways that cut across the Trikuta hillsides for mile after mile. This show of faith is finely interwoven with the cultural strands of the Indian subcontinent, and these pathways have been trod on for many centuries now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail to the goddesses’s abode to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a forthcoming examination, marriage or birth, the devout look up to the Mata For blessings and guidance. There are many who journey year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion.
Mata Vaishno Devi Katra yatra to the holy temple is as fascinating as the legend associated with it. It goes that thousands of years ago, a comely maiden called “Vaishnavi” have been created by the three lords attained human form and was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Having taken a vow of celibacy, she spent almost all her life in meditation and prayers. In time she attained enormous spiritual powers and is believed to have extracted an assurance from Lord Rama that he will marry her in Kali-Yug if she persisted in her spiritual quest.
Frequently Asked Question
Step 1: Travel to Katra
By Air: Nearest airport is Jammu Airport (IXJ), around 50 km from Katra.
By Train: Katra Railway Station (SVDK) is directly connected to many cities.
By Road: Regular buses and taxis are available from Jammu, Delhi, and other major cities.
Mandatory for all pilgrims.
Online at www.maavaishnodevi.org or
Offline at the Yatra Registration Counter in Katra (near bus stand).
You'll receive a Yatra Slip (keep it handy – it's required at various checkpoints)
Yatra starts from Ban Ganga Check Post, 1.5 km from the Katra Bus Stand.
Choose your route:
Traditional Route (13 km) – via Adhkuwari
New Tarakote Route (7 km) – more scenic and less steep
The Holy Cave (Bhawan) is at 5,200 ft elevation.
Options to reach:
On foot
Ponies, palkis, or battery-operated vehicles
Helicopter Service (from Katra to Sanjichhat – pre-booked online)
Deposit belongings in lockers
Collect prasad and entry slip for darshan
Follow the queue system for entry into the cave shrine to seek blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Optional Visit to Bhairon Temple
1.5 km steep trek from the Bhawan
Take Ropeway trolly operate during day time
Belief: Yatra is incomplete without visiting Bhairon Baba Temple
Return to Katra via same route or helicopter
Collect any baggage left in cloakrooms
Depart from Katra via your preferred mode of transport
Light woollens are required at night even during summer. During the remaining parts of the year heavy woollens are require.
Wear comfortable footwear
Carry ID, water, snacks, and any essential medicines
Avoid plastic (strictly prohibited)
Be prepared for sudden weather changes
Obtain a yatra slip only from the yatra registration counter at the Tourist Reception Centre at the Katra bus stand and nowhere else. Without an authentic yatra slip, crossing of the Ban Ganga check post is not permitted.
Avoid over straining yourself on the climb. Walk on the paved track, instead of the stairs. Do not relax at points where warning notices are displayed. Do not break traffic discipline or try to over take others at difficult stretches.
To maintain the sanctity of the place do not indulge in playing cards, smoking or chewing betel (paan) at Bhawan or enroute. Do not paint, stick posters or disfigure signboards, and also avoid littering the area.
Jai Mata Di! May your journey be safe, spiritual, and fulfilling.
Mata Vaishno Devi established an ashram in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountain and began to meditate. As predicted by Lord Rama, her glory started spreading and people began to flock to her ashram to seek her blessings. As time passed, a Tantrik called Gorakh Nath (Demo God), who had a vision of the episode between Lord Rama and Mata Vaishno Devi, became curious and wanted to know more about her. Accordingly, he sent his most able disciple `Bhairon Nath’ to find out. Bhairon Nath started observing her secretly and realized that despite being a `Sadhvi’, she always carried a bow and arrows and was always surrounded by langoor (apes) and a ferocious looking lion. Bhairon, the demon God took a fancy to her. But the Mata spurned his advances and fled to the Himalayas to continue her spiritual quest.
On the way the goddess felt thirsty at Banganga and shot an arrow into the earth from where water gushed out. Charan Paduka, which is marked by the imprints of her feet, is the place where she rested.
The Goddess then meditated in the cave at Adh Kanwari. It took Bhairon nine months to locate her, which is why the cave is known as Garbh Joon.
When the demon found her, Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave with her trident and fled to the Holy cave at Darbar (temple).
However, Bhairon was persistent and followed her there to harass her. Then goddess became very angry and assuming the form of Mata Kali, beheaded Bhairon outside the cave with the aid of the flying disc gifted to her by Lord Krishna
The severed head of Bhairon fell at a distant hilltop. In his dying moments, Bhairon begged and received divine forgiveness from the goddess. Today, it is believed that the Yatra is not complete unless the pilgrim has been to Bhairon ka Mandir (2.6 km from the main sanctum) as well, after the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
The goddess herself took up permanent abode in a cave in the Trikuta Mountains by metamorphosing herself in to three pindis (Rock). This holy temple of Mata Vaishno Devi is unique as it contains the holiest of holy Pindis manifesting the Mata in her three forms – Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati – each form representing a particular attribute. Maha Kali represents Tamas Guna, Tamas meaning darkness. In her manifestation of Kali the omnipotent, absolute and all pervasive, she is said to be beyond fear and finite existence and is therefore able to protect her devotees against fear and to give them limitless peace. Maha Lakshmi represents Rajas Guna, Rajas meaning prosperity. In this manifestation, the goddess blesses her devotees with wealth and prosperity for living a better life. Maha Saraswati represents Sattav Guna, Sattav meaning wisdom and knowledge. This manifestation enables her devotees to distinguish between good and bad and helps them to adopt the right path in life. The combination of these three attributes in a single Shakti is a unique combination, which is what makes it, revered all over the world.