How to reach Katra — by train, by road from Delhi and Jammu, and on to Srinagar
How to reach Katra for Vaishno Devi: SVDK station and the Vande Bharat to Srinagar, Delhi 642 km by road, Jammu station and airport, with measured times.
ArticleVerified 2026-10-23
Best time to visit Katra and Vaishno Devi — month by month, from the IMD normals
When to go to Katra and Vaishno Devi: IMD 1991–2020 highs, lows and rain for every month, the mild spring and autumn, hot May–June and the wet monsoon.
Katra has its own weather station, and the India Meteorological Department's normals for 1991–2020 give a clear picture of the year. The Vaishno Devi Temple stands at about 1,585 m, well above the town, so add a layer for the Bhawan.
Photos: Abhishek Chandra (Public domain) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
The year at Katra
- January: mean high 16.2°C, mean low 6.8°C, rain 101.9 mm.
- February: mean high 19.1°C, mean low 9.2°C, rain 122.3 mm.
- March: mean high 23.1°C, mean low 12.6°C, rain 92.4 mm.
- April: mean high 28.8°C, mean low 17.1°C, rain 74.8 mm.
- May: mean high 33.7°C, mean low 21.3°C, rain 36.6 mm.
- June: mean high 35.1°C, mean low 23.5°C, rain 134.0 mm.
- July: mean high 31.0°C, mean low 23.2°C, rain 514.3 mm.
- August: mean high 29.7°C, mean low 22.7°C, rain 666.0 mm.
- September: mean high 29.7°C, mean low 20.8°C, rain 278.7 mm.
- October: mean high 27.8°C, mean low 16.3°C, rain 35.6 mm.
- November: mean high 22.6°C, mean low 11.7°C, rain 33.5 mm.
- December: mean high 18.5°C, mean low 8.1°C, rain 61.0 mm.
The year's rain adds up to 2,151.1 mm, most of it in the monsoon. The highest temperature recorded is 43.7°C and the lowest -1.0°C.
Spring and autumn: the easy months
March and April, and October and November, are the months for a walk of 12 to 14 km uphill. Days are about 23 to 29°C at Katra, and October and November are almost dry, with 35.6 mm and 33.5 mm of rain.
May and June: hot
May and June are the hottest months, with mean highs of 33.7°C and 35.1°C in the town. If you walk then, start early or late in the day and carry water.
July to September: the monsoon
July and August get 514.3 mm and 666.0 mm of rain, with rain on about 17 days in July, and September is still wet. The path is wet and misty, and in heavy rain landslides can stop the yatra or the helicopters for a while. Carry rain gear and check the Shrine Board's notices before you set out.
December to February: mild days, cold nights
The town is mild by day, 16.2°C to 19.1°C, with nights of 6.8°C to 9.2°C, and the Bhawan is colder. Take warm layers for the early morning and the night.
Plan it
Read the yatra guide and how to reach Katra, and copy the two-day yatra plan. For a rest day, see things to do in Katra.
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Questions people ask
Which is the best month to visit Vaishno Devi?
For weather, March–April and October–November. By the IMD normals for Katra, days then run about 23 to 29°C, and October and November get only 35.6 mm and 33.5 mm of rain. May and June are the hottest, with mean highs of 33.7°C and 35.1°C, and July and August are the wettest.
Is it safe to go to Vaishno Devi in the monsoon?
The yatra runs in the monsoon, but July and August bring 514.3 mm and 666.0 mm of rain at Katra, and heavy rain can bring landslides on hill paths and stop the yatra or the helicopters for a while. Carry rain gear, watch the forecast, and check the Shrine Board's notices before you walk.
How cold is it at Vaishno Devi in winter?
In Katra, December to February days average 16.2 to 19.1°C and nights 6.8 to 9.2°C by the IMD normals, and the lowest recorded is -1.0°C. The Bhawan stands at about 1,585 m, well above the town, so it is colder there; take warm layers for the night and early morning.