Vaishno Devi Reviews by Travelers

Overview of the destination
I have been a regular visitor to Vaishno Devi since the last few years. Luckily we make it there every year. Nothing beats the devotion of the devotees who take the gruelling 14kms trek uphill to Mata's darbar. It is a site to see people of all ages, from all classes, of all beliefs walking together their way upwards. So you see sikhs like me walking with Hindus with Muslim porters offering their services all along the way. Contrary to what the image of J&K might convey, the place is safe and there is security through out. The weather is pleasant in the summers and cold in winters. The place is really scenic and the sights keep changing with each turn. The shrine board has evolved over the years and are doing a great job maintaining the place. there are plenty of overnight trains plying between Delhi and Jammu. From Jammu, you can take a local bus from the railway station itself, that takes you directly to Katra, the base station for the trek. Alternatively you choose to fly to Jammu from Delhi. You can also hire taxis from Jammu to Katra. It takes around 2 hrs to reach Katra from Jammu (45kms). Once you reach Katra, you will be surrounded by vendors, porters and agents, do not panic. Things to do: 1. Get registered at the Yatra Registration Center at the bus stand. Alternately, you can plan you visit in advance and make your registarion online at http://maavaishnodevi.org 2. Look for a place to freshen up or stay. Check out Niharika complex, situated next to the main Bus Stand. They offer simple, clean rooms for worth it rents. Plus they also provide rooms on hour basis too. Please check this option first before going for private ones. Alternatively, check http://maavaishnodevi.org to make reservations in advance. I have stayed at Vaishno Devi shrine board managed places and private hotels too. I feel Shrine board places are worth it and comfortable too. 3. After freshning up, hire a porter for your bags and other things. I can tell from experience that even small, light bags turn heavy after a few kms plus you provide livelihood to the porters. Think of it they just make a few hundred for the grueling trip up and down. The prices are fixed and displayed at the bus stand. Have a light snack or meal. There are a lot of Punjabi dhabas and restaurants available. 4. Before starting the trek, make sure you have done away with cigarettes, tobacco and any liquor. 5. U can take an auto to Ban Ganga from where you start the trek. Rs.10 per person. 6. Ardh Kuwari is midway to the main Bhawan. U can choose to bye-pass it by taking the new route to the bhawan. This route starts just .5 kms before Ardh Kuwari. Please be warned that the old route from Ardh Kuwari onwards is a steep and needs a good stamina. Try avoiding the stairs. 7. On reaching the Bhawan, get a token for the darshan. Each token allows a group inside the main temple. Generally your turn comes in a few hours but during Navtratras and summer vacation months it may take 12 hours. Be prepared. It gets chilly at night. You can get blankets at the shrine board offices. Alternatively, plan atleast 2 months in advance and book rooms online. More info at http://maavaishnodevi.org/r_accom.asp 8. Leather and electronic items are not allowed inside the main temple. You can leave these items at lockers available at the entrance. 9. After the darshan, donot forget to visit Bhairon baba's temple which is a further 1.5 kms and is on the way back. Popular folklore has it that the darshan is not complete without Bhairon baba's blessings. 10. After the Bhairon baba's temple, simply walk back slowly. Its a decline all the way so be careful, do not hurt those knees.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping
Eat at Shrine board managed eateries. These are based all along the trek and at Katra too. While shopping please be careful. Most shop keepers will try to fleece you, do not be mislead by promises of genuine Pashmina shawls. They are fake!!! Besides most things you can get anywhere across the country. For sight seeing you can visit PAtnitop which is some 90 kms from Katra and equal distance from Jammu. Taxis charge exorbitant amounts for this journey. Be prepared to bargain and bargain hard. At Patnitop you can find a number of hotels available for all budgets. But plan in advance its a small place and in peak season accommodation may be hard to find. You can also visit temples in Jammu.

Activities & things to do
Activities, hmmmmmm : 1. Darshan 2. Visit Patni top 3. Can visit Srinagar. Its a dream come true only at 225 kms from Katra. Lots of tour operators operate deluxe buses covering vaishno devi and Srinagar during summer months. In winters, you will have to take/share a taxi.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Keep light woolens handy in summers and heavy ones for winters. The temperature really drops during nights be prepared. Do not trust touts and agents. Try avoiding shopping at private shops. Visit govt run J&K handloom showrooms. Avoid peak summer months and Navratras. Try visiting in winters which is off-season, relatively peaceful and very clean.