How to Reach Vaishno Devi: A Quick and Handy Guide

Katra is the base camp of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. It is situated 50 km from Jammu, which is well connected with the country’s major cities by rail, road, and airways. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway junction (SVDK) is the nearest railway station. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight connectivity. However, the nearest airport is situated in Jammu, which is well connected with several cities in India. So, if you are planning your tour of Vaishno Devi and are willing to know how to reach, you got the right place to get information. Check out the complete details of reaching Vaishno Devi along with different option modes.

Here is the detailed information about how to reach Vaishno Devi by various modes of transport:

By Air

Jammu Airport is the nearest airport from Katra, also known as Satwari Airport. It is situated 49 km from Katra and is well-connected to various cities of India, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai. This is a domestic airport, and several airlines serve this airport. From the airport, tourists can hire a taxi for Katra.

By Train

It is the most convenient way to reach Katra. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra is the nearest railway station from Katra base camp, where the Yatra starts. It is well-linked to the major cities in India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Trivandrum, and Chennai. This railway station is located 3 km from the starting point of the trek, and pilgrims can hire an auto or taxi to reach there.

By Road

Vaishno Devi is connected with a good network of national and state highways to the rest of the country. Several private bus operators operate Volvos and deluxe buses for Katra from several cities, including Laxmi Holidays, Swagatam Holidays, Travel Point, Hari Travels, and Arora Travels. The government-run buses also ply regularly from the nearby states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. From Jammu, several deluxe, semi-deluxe, and government-run buses ply regularly for Katra.

How to reach Vaishno Devi from Katra

There are two modes by which pilgrims can travel to Maa Vaishno Devi Bhawan from Katra – by road and by Helicopter. They can trek, hire a pony/ palki, catch a battery car (electric vehicle), or board a helicopter. Here is the detailed information about how to reach Vaishno Devi from Katra:

By Road (Holy track) –

You can cover the distance from Katra to Bhawan through trekking and Palki. These are the two common ways to complete your Vaishno Devi Yatra by road.

By Pony/ Palki –

Pilgrims can hire a pony/ palki from Darshani Darwaza, the starting point of the holy sojourn till Ardhkuwari or Bhawan. Note: Pony and palanquins are available only on older routes, i.e., Ban Ganga – Charan Paduka – Ardhkuwari – Himkoti – Sanjichhat – Bhairon Ghati – Bhawan

Distance: 15 km

By Trekking

Devotees can walk till Bhawan and they can choose any among three paths –

Route 1: Ban Ganga – Charan Paduka – Ardhkuwari – Himkoti – Sanjichhat – Bhairon Ghati – Bhawan

This is the oldest track and starts from Darshani Darwaza. Pilgrims have to pass through Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Ardhkuwari, Himkoti, and Sanjichhat on this route to reach Bhawan

Route 2: Ban Ganga – Charan Paduka – Indraprastha Viewpoint – Bhawan

This is the second route, which also starts from Darshani Darwaza. It also covers Ban Ganga and Charan Paduka. This route diverts 500 m before Ardhkuwari near Indraprastha viewpoint. Ponies are not allowed although palkis are permissible.

Route 3: Tarakote Marg

This is the newest track, which starts from Tarakote Marg. Palki and ponies are not allowed on this route. This track is also linked with the older routes from Banganga and Ardhkuwari. This route is purely pedestrian.

Katra to bhawan By Helicopter

Helicopter service is available from Katra to Vaishno Devi. Pilgrims can board the Helicopter from Katra, and it will drop them at Sanjichhat, 2.5 km from the holy cave. The helicopter booking of Vaishno Devi can be made online from the official website of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and offline mode from the Current-heli ticket counter.

Distance: 2km

How to reach Vaishno Devi from Delhi

By Train

Delhi is the national capital and is well-connected with Katra from the rail network. Several trains run from Sarai Rohilla railway station (DEE), New Delhi railway stations (NDLS), and Old Delhi railway station (DLI) to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station (SVDK). The most popular trains that connect Delhi from Katra are Rajdhani Express, SVDK Vande Bharat Express, DEE JAT Duronto Express, Jhelum Express, and Uttar Sampark Kranti Express, and Swaraj Express. It takes almost 12 hours to reach Katra from Delhi, and some trains take more time also.

By Bus

Several buses ply regularly from Maharana Pratap Inter-State Bus Terminus, Delhi, to Katra bus stand. Jammu – Kanyakumari National Highway (NH 44) connects Jammu from Delhi and Jammu. Katra is linked from NH 144, a branch of NH 44. Government-run buses and private buses are available at affordable rates. There are several deluxe and Volvo buses regularly ply from Delhi to Katra.

How to reach Vaishno Devi from Chandigarh

By Train

Chandigarh Junction railway station (CDG) is the primary railhead that serves the union territory city of Chandigarh. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – Kalka Express (SVDK KLK Express) is the only train that connects Chandigarh to Katra.

By Bus

Both government-run as well as private buses, operate between Chandigarh and Katra. The buses of Jammu Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC), Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC), Haryana Roadways (HR), and Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) regularly ply from Chandigarh Sector 43 bus stand for Katra. It takes almost 7 hours to reach Katra via NH 344A and NH 44.

If you are required more information about the Vaishno Devi Yatra, you can contact our tour experts. We also provide the Vaishno Devi tour packages that give you a smooth travel experience.