Vaishno Devi Yatra

Hi Friends,

I am starting this thread to gather much unknown information about the Vaishno devi Yatra. I have never been into that temple but heard a lot about it.But Whenever I hear that somebody is going I used to request her to offer the Devi from my behalf but unfortunately after many attempts also I couldnt visit that place,
"Shayed MA ka Bulawa nahi aya abhi tak"
I need some information like how is the place,is there any hurdles when people walk up to the Devi Mandir .Can I take small children or old peoples with us.I have also heard of helicopter service there.Are they really there?Can anybody tell me how much these helicopter ride costs for?
I would like to visit that place with my parents and other members of the family.
IF somebody has been in Vaishno Devi,it would be very delightful if they narrate their divine yatra...
Waiting for your responses friends,

Nabanita

Hi .

I've been to Vaishnomata twice.. the second visit being 2 months back.
The first time we walked our way up right upto Bhavan & Bhairav nath.
The second time since we were accompanied by my in laws & my tot we preferred to go by helicopter.

The journey truly begins with Mata's Bulawa. Its a strong experiance of one & all that Mata sends Bulawa to her children

Always check the temperature severities before travelling as its very cold from December to Feb.

There are many modes of travel upto the Mata Bhavan.
You can travel by foot, horses, pitthu (People on palkis), & also by helicopter.
You can also go by autorickshaws. This is a newly run service.
Autorickshaws ply from Ardhkuwari upto Bhawan & charge Rs 100 per head.

Ideally its first preferable to visit Charanpaduka, then Ardhkuwari (cave womb where Mata hid from Bhiravnath for months together), then the Bhawan & lastly Bhairav Nath.

It is said the darshan is complete without visiting Ardhkuwari & Bhairavnath.
It is said Bhairavnath was actually given vardan by Mata that people will complete their darshan only if they visit Bhairavnath shrine.. hence visiting it is a must after finishing the Mata darshan at Bhavan.

I have not much idea abt horse or the palki charges but the heicopter charges are Rs 2400 (return fare) per person. It is very comfortable if you have elders or kids along. You have to book tickets at the Air Deccan office at Katra (Jammu) & travel to helipad on the given date & time of flying.
The helipad accomodates 4-5 people depending on their wt & the entire flight takes barely 4-5 mins. It lands at the Sanjhi Chat (helipad on top of the bhavan). The Sanjhi Chat is situated above the Bhavan & below the Bhairav Mandir.
From Sanjhi Chat you have to walk 2 kms to reach the Mandir below.
The only drawback her is if you travel by helicopter you are given a time slot of around 2 hrs within which you have to finish you darshan & reach Sanjhi Chat for the flight.
By the time you walk you way down for Darshan, stand in queue for Darshan its almost 2 hrs & ur left with no time to visit Bhairav Nath.

Do not carry any prasad/coconut to offer Mata since its strictly prohibited owing to security reasons. The only thing acceptable for chadhawa is chunri & chattar fro mata's.
Carrying mobile phones is also not permitted while going for darshan.

There are two ways to reach Bhawan .. one by stairs & the other is the cave with ice cold water running beneath your feet. The cave is kept open when there are lesser crowds for darshan or when its not too cold.

It is a truly divine experiance.One you have darshan of the pindis you are so immersed.. you forget totally of the pain you have taken to travel or the severities you had to overcome for the darshan.
If you just travel once, you will long to go there again & again.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
This is the shrine boards official website.
It gives you complete info abt all you want to know.

Deccan Air Vaisnodevi Helicopter Services
This is the deccan avaition site proiding you info on helicopter services

Let me know if you need any more info.
Jai Mata Di.

Thanks for the detailed info Daffodil. I too want to visit the shrine so much. Infact my brother who is working in Army as a Major is posted so close to the temple. He is posted there again for the second time. But still, I am unable to visit them and also visit the temple. Keeping my fingers crossed. Infact my bro is soon to get a transfer. I am waiting for Mata's call.

Hey Daffodil,

Thanks for the Information.I am also planning to visit the shrine but same as Nabanita ,even I have tried to vist the place but every attempt of fine failed ,lets hope,,shayad Devi Ma mujhe isbar uske darbar me bulla le.....

Thanks again

more to hear from other friends who visited the Vaishno Devi Temple

Great topic Friends


I have never been there...good to hear more from you

Hi,
I am watching a serial called Mata ki Chowki in Sahara One about the story of a girl, who is Mata's great devotee. In that serial, the girl tells the story of how Mata came to be there, it is very interesting. Please do watch.
I have send my wish to have a darshan to Mata, dekhoongi ki Maa kab bulayegi.

thanks for the info
Serial ke bare me mujhe malun nahi tha...mei dekhungi ....
aur yeh baat bhi sahi hai....ma ki bulawa jab tak nahi ate hai ...to koi bhi nahi ja sakta MAta ke darshan ke liye

great...just yesterday i was browsing for some information on this one...see the link below..

FuturePointIndia.com - Pilgrimages - Vaishno - Intro

I think base is Katra & you can walk from there or take helicopter from there. Thee's a website where you can check fares. Abt Rs 4000-5000 per person a couple of years back. heard Air Deccan also had flight service so u might want to check that too.

Hi,
I would like to know what hotels are good to stay there. We are taking helicopter services, so can any one suggest good hotels near helipad in katra.

Thanks