Mata Vaishno Devi Ji

	The Vaishno Devi cave , 61 km north of Jammu, is one  of the regions's most important 
	Pilgrim sites. As the temple draws near, you  hear  cries  of 'Jai Mata di' ( Victory
	to the Mother Goddess). Then at the shrine entrance, Pilgrims walk in batches through
	cold ankle-deep water  to the  low and  narrow cave  entrance to get a glimpse of the 
	deity. Visitors joining the Yatra find it a very moving experience.

	The main pilgrimage season is March to July. The  arduous climb along the  13 km track 
	to the cave temple has been re-laid, widened and tiled, and railings provided. Another
	road from lower Sanjichat to the Darbar brings you 2km closer with 300m less to climb.
	Ponies,  dandies  and   porters  are  available   from   Katra  town  at  fixed rates. 
	Auto-rickshaws and taxis can go  as far  as the  Banganga,  Yatra  slips issued by the 
	shrine Board in Katra must be presented at Banganga  checkpoint within six hours. Tea,
	drinks and snacks are available on the route.

	Visitors should leave all leather items in a cloakroom at Vaishno Devi before entering
	the Cave; carry bottled water and waterproof. If  you are on  your own  or  in a small 
	group, to avoid a wait for a  group  allocation, present  yourself  at Gate 1 or 2 and 
	smile. Katra is an attractive  town at the foot of the Trikuta Hills where visitors to 
	the Vaishno Devi cave can stay.

	How to reach here

	Jammu is the major city, 48 km, from Katra town and is well connected to other parts of
	India though	Air, rail and road services.

	By Air

	Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Spicejet, Air Deccan fly daily to Delhi and Srinagar from
	Rambagh Airport in Jammu. The airport is 6 km from  Jammu  City  and is  well connected
	through Taxi and Auto-rickshaws.

	By Train

	Jammu Tawi mail, Delhi Jammu Tawi Indore Malwa Express, Jhelum Express, Shalimar Express
	, Rajdhani Express, Kolkata Jammu Tawi Express  connect Delhi  and Jammu and time ranges
	from 9 hrs to 14 hrs.

	By Road

	From  General  Bus  stand buses  run  to  Delhi (distance 586 km),  pathankot,  Srinagar
	(distance 293 km), Katra (distance 48 km) on scheduled times.