Vaishno Devi Temple - Jammu

Vaishno Devi Temple also known as Ambe/Mata Rani is a religious pilgrimage for Hindus. The temple is a shrine to Maa Vaishno, a manifestation of the Hindu deity Maa Durga. The shrine of mata Vaishno Devi is located, 5,200 ft above sea level, in the heart of Trikuta Hills. The view of the valleys and mountains from such a height is breathtaking. The temple symbolizes Maa Durga and her avatars Maa Kaali, Maa Laxmi, and Maa Saraswati. It is one of the 108 Peethas dedicated to the goddess of divine feminine courage, wisdom, and power. 

In a geological study, the holy cave was discovered to be almost a million years old. Although the temple has been around forever, it was not an established sanctum till 1846. The Mandir was founded by the former king of Jammu & Kashmir, the Late Maharaja Gulab Singh of the Dogra dynasty. According to reports, almost a million people visit the shrine every year, and about 28,000 Hindus do it daily.

Where is it Located?

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is located in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The temple delicately sits on the slopes of Trikuta hills in Bhavana, Katra - 182301.

Distance to Vaishno Devi Temple:

The closest railway station near Mata Rani’s Temple is SVDK (Katra) and JAT (Jammu), The nearest airport is Jammu Airport, which is well-connected to all major cities. The temple can be reached via Katra as well. The buses are always running, and the distance is only 12 km 

Below is an overview of the Distance to Vaishno Devi Temple from the following cities:

Visiting Hours and Suitable time to Visit

The visiting hours start from 5:00 in the morning and go on till noon, after which the premises are closed and are reopened at 4:00 in the evening. The visiting hours conclude at 9:00 pm for the day and start again the next day at 5:00 am. Trekking to the Temple at sundown is the most suitable and preferred way for many pilgrims. The trek is steep, and the lines are long but if you get tired or don't wish to walk the whole way you can always hire a horse or take a helicopter ride to the Vaishno Devi temple.

Specific months to visit:

The most suitable months are May, June, and July to visit the temple. The weather is most pleasant at this time of the year. The days are sunny, and the nights get comfortably mild. Although it looks the most beautiful in winter. Due to snow, the temperatures drop to sub-zero levels around Vaishno Devi. That is why it is ill-advised for those who aren't at the peak of their physical fitness to visit during November and December.

FAQs

• Are electronics allowed in Vaishno Devi Temple?

No. No electronics, cell phones, or cameras are allowed in the temple due to security reasons. It is advised not to bring any electronics other than necessary items which can be stored in the cloakroom of the temple itself, as it is prohibited to take them on the walking track and beyond.

• Are there other options to reach the temple besides trekking?

The answer is a resounding yes. You can take a horse ride to the temple where the trek begins. You can also take a helicopter ride if you're short on time. There are hundreds of horses that transport people and goods every day, to and fro. You can also hire a horse mid-way as well if you get tired. There are also palanquins for old. The rates for ponies, horses, and palanquins are fixed, by the Shrine board of the temple.

• What are some local attractions near Mata Vaishno Devi Katra?

Katra is not just famous for its temples, but wildlife is also one of the things people look forward to along their journey to the Vaishno Devi temple. You can visit the renowned Nandani Wildlife sanctuary where animals like Leopards, Porcupines, Civet cats, Grey Langurs, and many more can be sighted. You can also visit local attractions like Shalimar Park, Ban Ganga, and Kotli Jajjar.

• Is there a Storage facility in Mata Vaishno Devi?

As the trek is about 12 km and some pilgrims come from afar, there is a particular need for a cloakroom or a storage facility where people can safely store their luggage and belonging. Thankfully Vaishno Devi has a cloakroom right next to the queue complex near gate no.1. Many Hotels and resorts also in Katra provide storage facilities.