Mātā Vaiṣṇo Devī Bhavan
A 13 km climb to a cave of three piṇḍīs
From the official temple website
Managed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
Please note
- Yātrā slip is compulsory; rooms and dormitories at Jammu, Katra, Adhkuwari, Sanjhichhat and Bhawan are shrine-board run.
⭐ Why it is famous
One of India's most visited shrines — over a crore of pilgrims a year climb from Katra to the cave at 1,584 m where Mahākālī, Mahālakṣmī and Mahāsarasvatī are worshipped as natural rock forms.
📜 Pilgrimage history
The cave has been worshipped for centuries; the Shrine Board took over administration in 1986 and built the present pathways and facilities.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan round the clock, subject to yātrā regulation
🙏 Darśan details
- Free Yātrā Parchi (RFID) compulsory — get it online at maavaishnodevi.org or at Katra
- Ponies, palkis, battery cars and helicopters (Katra–Sanjichhat) available
- Bhairavnath temple, 2.5 km above the cave, completes the yātrā
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Mātā Vaiṣṇo Devī Bhavan, Katra, ReasiShri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) — 1 km
- Government: Katra JKSRTC bus stand, next to the yātrā registration counter
- Private buses: Private buses and taxis from Jammu Bus Stand, 48 km
Jammu (IXJ) — 48 km
Katra is 42 km from Jammu; buses and taxis constantly.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
| Seva | Price |
|---|---|
| Yātrā registration slipFree, issued at the Katra counter or online | Free |
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Shrine Board bhavans at Katra, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat
- Hotels across Katra
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 | ₹18,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Shiv Khori cave
- Patnitop
- Bhairavnath temple
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
March–October; Navarātri sees the greatest crowds