Your Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, Planned Stress-Free

The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi sits in a cave in the three-peaked Trikuta hills, above the town of Katra in Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir. Devotees say no one reaches the Mother's cave by chance; the journey begins only when Mata calls you, and they call it Mata ka bulawa.

Inside the cave you will not find a carved idol. The Divine Mother is worshipped in three natural rock forms, the holy Pindis, which represent Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board looks after the shrine and the yatra facilities.

The Story Behind the Yatra

Tradition says the young Vaishnavi left home to devote herself to meditation in the Trikuta hills. On her way, she released an arrow into the earth and a stream sprang up, now known as Banganga. She then spent nine months in deep meditation inside a narrow cave at Ardhkuwari.

Bhairon Nath pursued her up the mountain. At the holy cave, the Goddess took a fierce form and beheaded him. In his last moments, Bhairon Nath realised his mistake and begged for mercy. The Mother forgave him and granted that every pilgrim would visit his shrine after her darshan. This is why the yatra is considered complete only at the Bhairon Nath temple.

Stops Along the Way

1. KatraThe base town where the journey begins. Collect your Yatra RFID card at the registration counters, or apply online at maavaishnodevi.org.
2. BangangaThe starting gate of the track, beside the stream that Mata brought forth with her arrow.
3. Charan PadukaA small shrine where Mata's footprints are worshipped.
4. ArdhkuwariAround the midpoint of the climb. Pilgrims crawl through the narrow Garbh Joon cave, where Mata meditated.
5. SanjichhatThe helicopter landing point, about 3 km short of the Bhawan, with wide views of the valley.
6. BhawanThe holy cave of the three Pindis and the heart of the yatra.
7. Bhairon Nath TempleAbove the Bhawan, reachable on foot or by ropeway. Your yatra is complete here.