Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most popular, sacred, and holiest pilgrimages for Hindus. And after years of planning, I finally got ‘mata ka bulava’ and was successfully able to complete the Vaishno Devi yatra with my parents. While walking towards the Bhawan, I got to know about a lot of facilities, especially for transportation, that have been added along the way to make yatra easier for the pilgrims. So, to make sure you all know about how and where to make the bookings, I have listed everything you need to know here.
Vaishno Devi Yatra With My Middle Aged Parents
I visited Mata Vaishno Devi over the weekend with my parents and it was an eventful journey! My parents, both 55 years old, hiked to the Bhawan on foot and then went on to Bhairo Baba Temple as well. Basically covering almost 16 kilometres of distance on one side! We travelled to Katra from New Delhi on a Vande Bharat train and it took us exactly 8 hours to reach our destination.
Seeing the hot and humid weather of Katra, we decided to start our yatra around 7 in the evening. It was a good decision because, by the time we reached the Bhawan, the weather was nice and breezy with no rain, thankfully! Also, it is to be noted that pilgrims are required to register for the yatra online and collect their RFID cards before the yatra.
We also took the fairly new Tarakote Marg to trek to the Bhawan and it was amazing. There was barely any crowd, the route was clean, wide, and free of all the horse dung and unpleasant smells! The Tarakote Marg merges with the original route at Ardhkuwari. Now, while my parents were high in spirits throughout the journey, the trek did take a toll on their ageing bodies while they were coming down from the yatra in the morning.
Still, they persisted and only took a horse ride after reaching Ardhkuwari (which was almost halfway through the trek). I got to know about a lot of services that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board offers to the pilgrims on the route and am sharing them with you so you can plan a comfortable journey for yourself and your parents.
Also Read: Vaishno Devi Yatra: History, Route, Best Time To Visit And All You Need To Know About It
Make Your Yatra Easier With Helicopter Ride, Battery Car & More
There are a number of transportation options available on the way to reach the Bhawan during Mata Vaishno Devi yatra. Here is everything you need and also how to book them.
1. Helicopter ride: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board offers helicopter rides from Katra to Sanjhichat for ₹2,100. You can also book a round-trip ride for ₹4,200. The services are available from 8 AM to 7 PM and can be booked online and offline as well.
2. Battery cars: One of the newest additions, battery cars are quite famous among pilgrims on the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. It is best to book this online as there is a huge line on the offline counters. The charges for these cars are ₹354/one way. It is to be noted that these cars operate between Ardhkuwari and Bhawan only.
3. Palanquin/horse rides: Palanquin or horse rides are one of the oldest options to travel towards the Bhawan. These are easily available at the beginning of the yatra and you can book them at the counter. The price of these rides depends on your weight and starts from ₹650.
These transportation services can be booked online here and are a great help if you’re travelling with your parents or old people.
Also Read: Elli AvrRam Treks Up 12-Km To Worship Mata Vaishno Devi In Jammu
Tough Trek To Bhairo Baba Temple From Bhawan
Technically, the Bhairo Baba Temple is just two kilometres from the Bhawan during Mata Vaishno Devi yatra. However, it is way tougher than the whole 14 kilometres it takes to hike from Katra to Devi’s temple, in my humble opinion! The hike is way steeper, rougher, and difficult. Also, since it joins together with the horse path, you have to be mindful of the horses and their troupes while you’re moving upwards.
According to my mother, the Vaishno Devi yatra is not considered complete without a visit to Bhairon Temple. Therefore, it was necessary for us to take that hike as well. With a lot of stops and breathing breaks, we were able to complete the two-kilometre trek in about two hours. Bhairo Baba Temple is a small temple with a serene vibe around it. Also, if you’re lucky like us, then you might also spot a deer or two on your way down!
Cable Cars, Places To Eat & Stay During The Yatra
Of course, there is an alternative way to reach Bhairo Baba Temple! You can take a cable car from Bhawan to Bhairo Baba Temple. For us, since we were doing the yatra at night, this option wasn’t available. The Bhavan-Bhairo Ropeway operates between 9 AM to 5 PM and costs around ₹100 per person. It covers the two-kilometre distance in just 5 minutes!
If you’re tired of the yatra and wish to rest for some time, then the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board also has dormitories and rooms available near the Bhawan. It’s best to book these online before you begin your yatra as they’re usually crowded and filled with pilgrims. Also, since mobiles, watches, and other things aren’t allowed inside the Bhawan, you can take a locker nearby as well. This facility is free and available in a large number near the temple.
Now, if you’re feeling hungry during the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, then fret not! From McDonald’s and Dominos to Bikano and Board’s bhojnalayas are available throughout the journey. There are also many tea and coffee shops on the way. We had our dinner at the Langar Hall on Tarakote Marg and it was quite good!
All in all, my visit to Mata Vaishno Devi was a journey I will never forget! I also hope that this information was useful to you all and will help you plan your visit better!
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.