Jammu and Kashmir · North
Katra (Vaishno Devi)
Base town for the Trikuta-hill trek to the Vaishno Devi cave shrine
Photo: Abhishek Chandra · Public domain
- Principal temple
- Vaishno Devi Temple (Bhawan)Vaishno Devi, as three pindis of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati
- Best time to visit
- Open throughout the year; May–July, the Chaitra and Ashvin Navratras and New Year see peak rush, so the Shrine Board advises the monsoon and winter (snowfall in December–January) for a more comfortable darshan.
- Nearest airport
- Jammu Airport (IXJ), ~50 km
- Nearest railway station
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK), in Katra
- Tradition
- Śākta
Overview
Katra, in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, lies at the foot of the Trikuta Mountains and is the base camp for pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi Temple. The shrine, a cave on Trikuta hill about 12 km from Katra, is dedicated to Vaishno Devi, worshipped as three natural rock forms (pindis) of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, and is counted among the Shakta pithas. Pilgrims register at Katra before the trek, resting at Ardhkuwari on the way, and traditionally also visit the Bhairon temple on the return; the shrine is managed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
See sources [1–9]- Vaishno Devi, as three pindis of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati
- Vaishno Devi (Garbh Joon cave)
Main temples
Photo: Abhishek Chandra · Public domain
Vaishno Devi Temple (Bhawan)
Vaishno Devi, as three pindis of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati
A cave shrine at about 5,200 ft on Trikuta hill, regarded as one of the Shakta pithas and among the most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.
Ardhkuwari
Vaishno Devi (Garbh Joon cave)
The halfway resting point of the trek, where tradition holds the goddess meditated for nine months in the narrow Garbh Joon cave while hiding from Bhaironath.
Key festivals
- Mar – Apr
Chaitra Navaratri
Chaitra (March–April)
- Sep – Oct
Navaratri (Sharad / Ashvin)
Ashvin (September–October)
Diwali
Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and move from year to year — confirm them with the temple before you travel.
Plan your visit
When to visit
Best time to visit
Open throughout the year; May–July, the Chaitra and Ashvin Navratras and New Year see peak rush, so the Shrine Board advises the monsoon and winter (snowfall in December–January) for a more comfortable darshan.
Festival days draw the largest crowds. Check the festival calendar above and the temple's own timings before you travel.
How to reach
- By air
- Jammu Airport (IXJ), ~50 km
- By rail
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK), in Katra
Related
Book a pooja with priests here
Priests joining soon
No verified priest lists a temple in Katra (Vaishno Devi) yet. Meanwhile, browse the poojas our verified priests perform.
Sources
- Katra, Jammu and Kashmir - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Vaishno Devi Temple - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Ardhkuwari - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (official site)maavaishnodevi.org
- Climate & Clothing - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Boardmaavaishnodevi.org
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- How to Reach | District Reasireasi.nic.in
- Bhairon Ghati - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Boardmaavaishnodevi.org
- Chaitra - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Know this town well? If anything here is wrong or missing, tell us and we’ll correct it.