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 It is said that unless Mata Vaishno Devi sends you a 'call' to invite you to her shrine, no matter how eager you are to take the journey you won't be able to head for her darshan.
Every year millions of pilgrims trek the 13-kilometres long route to the holy shrine to pay their obeisance to Mata Vaishno Devi. The holy shrine located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is easily accessible. Jammu is the nearest airport and railhead to reach Vaishno Devi. From Jammu one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Katra, which is about 50 kilometres from Jammu.
The 50-kilometre route to Katra from Jammu is a scenic one. You pass through many scenic locations on your way to Katra. Once you reach Katra, refresh yourself and register at the Yatra Registration Counter, from where you'll get a slip. The slip is mandatory, without which, you won't be able to pass the Banganga checkpost.
There are many locker rooms available at Katra, so you don't need to carry all your baggage. You can take necessary things with you. The route is wide and tiled. You can take a pony if you don't want to walk all the way to the shrine. The yatra continues day and night and for this matter the entire route is well lit.
In-route you pass many important holy spots on your luxury Vaishno Devi travel, which have their own significance. The main landmarks en-route to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi include Adhkawari and Sanji Chatt. At the holy shrine, devotees take bath in the hot water springs before visiting the shrine.
It is believed that the Vaishno Devi Yatra is considered complete only if you visit the Bhairon Temple after offering prayers to Mata Vaishno Devi. The temple is about 2.5 kilometres from the holy shrine.
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