A detailed itinerary for visiting Vaishno Devi this May or June

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Ghoomophiro

All about Vaishno Devi Temple

India is known worldwide as a land of religions and spirituality. While there are temples and places of worship throughout the country’s landscape, Vaishano Devi stands unique among them as one of the most valued temples in the country. Located in the serene Trikuta mountains of Jammu, it is considered one of the holiest shrines of our nation and attracts devotees not only from India but from all corners of the country. In this article, we shall discuss all one needs to know about visiting this temple, specifically in the months of May and June.

Firstly, let us be clear – it is likely to be crowded. Maa Vaishno Devi temple attracts over one crore worshippers. The crowd might actually make it easy to get into the spirit of being a devotee as one might enchant ‘Jai Mata Di’ while trekking on the thirteen-kilometer path.

 

Trekking is the most common and recommended path to Maa Vaishno Devi temple. There are two routes from Katra to Ardhkuwari, each differing in the distance, and another two routes from Ardhkuwari to Bhawan have two routes. Then there is the last route of about two kilometers from the Bhairavnath shrine to the Maa Vaishno Devi temple. The distance to be traveled will thus vary on the routes you chose but will be in a neighborhood of thirteen kilometers. Devotees prefer walking to the temple wherever possible, but there are options for ponies and talkies available. You might also consider a helicopter ride.

Bhairon Nath Temple, as mentioned above. is one of the places to stop while en route to Maa Vaishno Devi temple. It is dedicated to Baba Bhairavnath, who, so the myth goes, was killed by the MaaVaishno Devi goddess just as he was about to attack her by beheading him. However, he would later repent for his sins, and Maa would forgive him. According to this myth, your pilgrimage to the temple is incomplete without first seeking the blessings of Bhairon Nath.

At the end of the trek, you shall have reached Maa Vaishno Devi Mandir. It is one of the 108 Shakti paths and is dedicated to Maa Durga, the warrior goddess who is worshipped in her form of Maa Vaishno Devi here. After having visited the temple, we recommend exploring the following temples located in the vicinity of the temple:

1. Adh Kumari Temple

Adh Kuwari (adh meaning eternal and kumari meaning virgin) Tempe is another temple dedicated to goddess located at a distance of mere six kilometers from the main Maa Vaishno Devi temple. The temple falls about halfway through the trek to Maa Vaishno Devi temple.

2. Charan Paduka Temple

Located at a distance of mere 1.5 kilometers, Charan Paduka (Charna mean feet) is a small detour from the temple. The temple boasts of a rock on which imprints were created by the feet of the goddess.

 

It is considered the halfway mark to the main Bhawan of Vaishno Devi, situated at a distance of 6 km. The term Adh Kuwari means the eternal virgin and is regarded as one of the essential temples on the way to the holy cave.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)

There are several questions readers may have about planning a trip to the temple. The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s) :

 

Question: What are the different ways of covering the temple trek?

Answer: The following are four ways in which one can reach Maa Vaishno Devi temple:

• Walking the trek
• Riding a peony
• Going in a Palanquin
• Through a helicopter ride

 

The helicopter ride must be booked in advance for several months. It can take up to six passengers at a time. The helipad is located on Udhampur Road and is at a distance of two kilometers from the Katra bus station. You must cover the last leg of the journey by other methods.

 

Question: How to Reach Vaishno Devi temple?

Answer: You can do so by road, train, or flight. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station is the nearest railway terminal. It is located at a distance of 20 km from the Vaishno Devi temple.

 

The bus route is generally recommended. You can easily catch a bus to Katra from most of the nearby Indian cities like Amritsar, New Delhi, etc. From Katra, you can easily catch a bus to Jammu and spend the night there and head out for the temple the next day. The temple is located at a distance of about fifty kilometers from Jammu, and you can easily take a bus or train from there.

 

The Jammu Airport is the nearest airport and receives flights from all over the country.

 

Question: What is the best time to go on Vaishno Devi Yatra

Answer: Vaishno Devi temple is best visited during the summer months, especially May and June, as the weather is pleasant without being too cold. However, these are also the months when the temple attracts the most crowd (though it is crowded, more or less, throughout the calendar). You should avoid visiting between the months of August and September as rain might spoil the visit. In the winter months, the colder conditions can create challenges.

 

Question: How long will the trip take?

Answer: Taken all together, you might need two to three days, except the time you might need to reach Jammu or Katra.

 

Question: What are some of the tips to remember when visiting the temple?

Answer: The following are some of the helpful tips when traveling to Maa Vaishno Devi temple:

• Check the government rules and regulations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic before planning the yatra and stay updated about the same.
• If traveling with the elderly or children, a palki or peony ride might be a good option for them. You might also consider a helicopter ride though this might have an impact on your budget.
• Stay hydrated through the trek.
• Book your accommodation in advance.
• Consider exploring nearby destinations like Jammu,
• If traveling by flight, you can easily get a cab outside the airport.
• Give a whole day or two for the Darshana.
• In case you are traveling with children or older people, pack some first aid, wipes, etc.
• Check the weather of the day before leaving for the temple.
• You must also plan breaks to take rest and catch your breath, especially if traveling with children or older people.

 

Question: Is Maa Vaishno Devi temple visit children-friendly?

Answer: Yes, countless children visit the temple every year for Darshan. However, we recommend taking the necessary precautions when traveling with them. Also, understand that children might not feel as motivated to cover the trek as you do. We recommend preparing them mentally beforehand and engaging them throughout the route. It would be best if you also were prepared for any contingencies in such cases.

 

Question: How much will the trip cost?

Answer: That boils down to several factors like accommodation option chosen, traveling option is chosen, method of covering the temple trek, etc.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them here.

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that Maa Vaishno Devi Temple is worth visiting in all months, and May and June might be an appropriate time to visit the temple. We hope that the above information shall help you have a good darshan of the maa devi.