1. Through Helicopter : . If you have book a helicopter service earlier through net or through air-ticket providers, you may now take a Three Wheeler/taxi to reach Hilipad in Katra, wherefrom you can proceed for your Yatra upto Sanjhee Chhat. It takes nore more than 10 minutes to reach there. After reaching Sanjhee Chhat you have the option to complete 2 Kms. journey upto main bhawan either by foot or hiring horse servces. It is always advisable to hire horse services for comfort and time saving.

2. Through Horses : Please note that you have to cover a distance of about 15 Kms. on high hills. If you prefer to reach by foot, it will take aroud 4-5 hours ( or more if you take rests in Yatra) to reah. If you hire horse for the journey, you can cover this distance in not more than 2 hours. Horses are available at very nominal rate of Rs.320/- per horse. These rates are fixed by the Board.  Hiring of horse will save your time and energy.

3. On-foot Journey  :  You can opt for your Yatra on foot also. Although it is somewhat tiresome but it enables  you to view the scenic beauty of hills and darshan of holy places coming in the way like Ban ganga Charan Paduka, HimKoti, Ardha Kumari,etc.[ Banganga is situated on the bank of a small rivulet called Banganga and at a height of 2700 ft.  This holdy place  is the first major station of yatra when the Yatri undertakes his on-foot journey from Katra to Bhawan.

4.Through Pali :  This is recommended for very old and sick devotees.

1. Yatra Parchi(Slip) is to be shown at Ban Ganga check-post and Parchi counter at Bhawan

2. Check the rates and avoid being overcharged py Pitthus, Ponywalas and Palkiwalas

3. Yatris suffering from blood pressure, breathlessness and heart diesease etc. are advised to avoid using steps for climbing up during yatra.

4. Please beware of Pickpockets and touts.

5. For any assistance contact Board authorities at Katra, Ban Ganga, Ardhkumar, Sanjhee Chhat and at Bhawan or control at Katra.

6. Do not feed Monkeys to avoid menace

7. On reaching Bhawan, please obtain Group Number . A  Group Number is provided in a counter just at the beginning of Main Bhawan at right hand side. Yatries are allowed for darshan only in que and according to group number. The group numbers flashes on the TV  Screens displayed at various places of the Bhavan.

8. Remember to take woolen clothes in winter, particularly in December when there is snow fall.

9. Put on Canvas shoes if you prefer On-foot yatra.

Yatra Scenes	Yatra Scenes	Yatra Sceneds

Know the Yatra Route ::   Katra -  Ban Ganga- Charan Paduka  -  Ardhya Kumari -Garbh Gupha - Hathi Mathha - Sanjhee Chhat -Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Bhawan   - Bhairo Madir - return yatra  to Katra

Care and Precautions  : On reaching Main Bhawan you may take rest and have a bath.  Please carefully note the following :

• The Aarti -The 'Aarti' of the Goddess is performed twice a day first time in the morning just before the sunrise and second time in the evening immediately after the sunset Please note that after Aarti there is a lot of rush of devotees. This whole procedure of Aarti  takes nearly two hours during which time the darshans remain suspended. Hence you must reach before Aarti or on after around 2 hours m to avoid rush.
• Get your Group Number - Before beginning to join queue for Darshan, get your Group Number from Counter just before main Bhawan.
• Keep these in Lockers : - It is free -Now  keep your belongings and Camera, mobile, pen, leather purse, leather belt, shoes, chappals, etc. Please note these items are never allowed. You have either to keep in the room of your stay or deposit all such items in the Safe Custody Lockers, which are provided free of cost. These lockers are almost in the beginning of Main Bhawan. Keep carefully the  token provided for the locker. If you forget and carry these items with you, you will not be allowed to be in que for Darshan in any condition. Take a lock and key with you if you prefer dormitory to stay for keeping your personal items in lockers. 
 
• Carry Prasad with you  - Please carry Prasad with you  from the Board's shop situated just before main Bhawan. After entering in line in Main Bhawan, you cannot buy prasad. However, even if you do not carry Prasad with you, you will be provided a Prasad after Darshan at the Prasad Chamber (of Board) after showing your Yatra Parchi. You may mix more Prasad afterwords to spread the holy prasad among your friends and relatives. Please note you will have to deposit the coconul of Prasad while in queue, which  will be returned to you after Darshan at the Reclaim Counter.

Darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi : The Holy Bhawan houses the main holy cave which is the main destination of devotees. Situated in Trikuta Parvat (Hill) at around 5200 feet height from sea level, The Holy Bhawan, is the main centre of pooja and darshan  for the devotees. It is also the key location in the entire Yatra route. Hence, adequate arrangements and facilities have been created by the Shrine Board for the convenience of the devotees. These include free & rented accommodation; Toilet Blocks; Bhojanalayas; Post Office; Banks; Communication (STD/PCO); Announcement Centres; Blanket Stores; Cloak Rooms; Medical Dispensary (with a ICU); General Stores; Bhaint Shops; Police Station, etc.

Before entering the holy cave you may take bath at Charan Gange water which is at the end of bazard and just before the Main Bhawan.

There are two caves one orginal which is little difficult and not open at all times. there are fixed days  of opening and Darshan through this cave. You cannot stand in this cave, water touches the feet and at some places it is quite narrow.  The other passage is artificial passage for Darshan. It is around 18 meters. Genrally Darshans are allowed from the new cave which is convenient.

After the end of cave you get the Darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi in the shape of 3 Pindies of Maha Laxmi, Maha Saraswati and Maha Kali. You can have Darshan of Ma Vashno Devi   in the  form of Pindies, inside the Holy Cave.  At the extreme left  is the Pindi of Goddess Saraswati with white shade. In the center is the Pindi of Goddess  Lakshmi, with a yellow-reddish tinge and to the right is the Pindi of Goddess Kali, with a color black shade.    

The Cave :  If you prefer to have Darshan through the old cave, it is somewhat difficult. The main door is quite narrow. Go ahead slowly. The holy cool water of Charanganga touches your feet. On the left side you can view a natural Shila Khand. The first 5 pindies are of Pandavas, thereafter seven pindies are of Sapt Rishies and just after it there is a natural Pillar which is called Tapt Stambh of Prahlad. Move ahead and you will see natural look of a lion and its Panja.  Before the new cave  door you can see a natural statue of Sheshnag on the roof of cave. Sheshnag akriti and a number of small snakes are amazing. Please find opening days of old cave from Helpline. 

After Darshan you must visit Bhairo Temple which is at a distance of about 1.5 kms. This route can also be covered by hiring horses. If you are visiting first time, it is said that Yatra is complete only when you visit Bhairo Temple. 

Return Yatra

In case you have booked Helicopter, you have to  return from Bairo Mandir to Sanjhee Chhat, where you  will board the Helicopter at the proposed time of travel. You may also take horse or begin return yatra on foot. It is always recommended  to hire horses.  On return, you may like to visit some temples in Jammu city.