Basic Information
Vaishno Devi is a famous Indian Goddess having a temple near Katra, J&K. It is on a mountain and a climb of 12 km has to be undertaken to reach it.
For last 5 kilometers electric vehicles are available for a sum of Rs 100.
How to reach
The nearest railhead/ariport is Jammu. You can take buses to katra from the bus stand just outside the railway station.
The climb starts from Katra.
If travelling from Delhi, there are options to travel in Buses which go direct to Katra but the train journey is more comfortable.
To reach Bhawan (Holy Shrine), you can choose:
# To walk 12 Kms
# To travel on Pony
# To take palki (4 people carrying you on a kinda cart, on their shoulders) - generally opted by very old people
# To travel on helicopter which drops you near Sanjhi Chatt (approx 3 Km before Bhavan).1350Rs one way and 2700Rs both ways.
# To walk/pony till adh-kuwari and then take electric Car till Bhawan
Recommended iterinary
Take any train in evening (there are around 10 trains daily)or any low cost airline from delhi to Jammu
Reach Katra from Jammu by bus (Bus stand is opposite the Jammu Railway Station) and stay at any of the many Dharmshalas.
Prepaid taxi available at airport to katra with both way fares.No need to stay at katra. just start your climb up.Use shrine board dharmshala for night rest.
You shall need to register yourself here at the shrine board counter before you can continue the journey.
Start climbing from Banganga
Visit ardh kuari first.
Then visit the main bhawan (Dormitories available here for you to rest after the climb!)
Then visit Kal Bhairav temple. (The visit is incomplete without visiting this temple).
Return
Expected expenditure
Train tickets (from Delhi) (two-way) = 700 approx <BR>
Air ticket(from Delhi) (two-way) = 5000approx <BR>
Bus ticket (from Delhi to Katra) = 450 - 800 Rs <BR>
Bus ticket (from Jammu to Katra) = 50 Rs
Cost of Palki (Round trip from Katra to bhavan) = 3600 Rs <BR>
Cost of Pony (From Katra to Bhavan) = 350 Rs approx <BR>
More Details
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which manages the temple has its website with extra details: http://www.maavaishnodevi.org