Vaishno Devi yatra in two days — up from Katra, a night at the Bhawan, Bhairon and down
The walk to the Vaishno Devi Temple is long, and this plan does it at a pilgrim's pace: up from Katra on the first day, a night near the Bhawan, and the Bhairon temple and the walk down on the second. Wikivoyage gives the 12 km climb as about 6 hours on foot, and the way back as similar. Register first for the Shrine Board's free yatra card, which must cross the Banganga check post within 6 hours of being issued. The yatra guide has every step.
Photos: Abhishek Chandra (Public domain) · Periogaurav (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Raulcaeser (CC BY-SA 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Pilgrims who want to walk the whole way at an easy pace, families with older members who would rather not climb and descend in one day, and anyone who wants to see the Bhawan at night and in the early morning.
Day by day
Day 1Registration, Banganga and the walk up to the Bhawan
2 stops · 6 h on foot
Registration, Banganga and the walk up to the Bhawan
Take the yatra card when you are ready to walk: it must cross Banganga within 6 hours. Then 12 km up, about 6 hours on foot by Wikivoyage's account, and a night near the Bhawan.
- 06:00BangangaThe first check post, about 1.5 km from the registration counter near the bus stand. Show the RFID yatra card here; without it you are turned back. Ponies and porters wait near the start, and we have no verified fares.
- ↓ 6 h on foot12:30Vaishno Devi TempleAbout 6 hours up by Wikivoyage's account, by way of Ardhkuwari, which is about half way. Rest, then join the queue for darshan in the cave of the three pindis. Wikivoyage mentions dormitories at the Bhawan for resting after the climb; we have no verified booking rules.
Day 2Bhairon, and the long walk down
2 stops · 16 min on the road
Bhairon, and the long walk down
The ridge temple that completes the yatra, then the way down to Katra, which Wikivoyage says takes about as long as the way up.
- 07:00Bhairon TempleAbout 2 km above the Bhawan, 2 hours on foot by Wikivoyage, or about 3 minutes by the ropeway to Bhairon Ghati. Devotees hold that the yatra is complete only after Bhairon. From here the path down can go straight to Ardhkuwari.
- ↓ 16 min by road · 7 km14:15BangangaBack at the start of the path after the long descent. No source gives the walk down from Bhairon on its own, so this plan allows the same 6 hours as from the Bhawan.
Getting there
Katra has its own railway station, about 1.6 km from the town; Jammu Airport is about 49 km and 71 minutes away. See how to reach Katra.
Where to stay
One night near the Bhawan (Wikivoyage mentions dormitories there) and the night before and after in Katra. We have no verified lodging, prices or booking rules.
Know before you go
- Register at the counter near the Katra bus stand or online; the card is free, and you must cross Banganga within 6 hours of taking it.
- Wikivoyage says most people walk at night and the path is lit, with water, toilets and medical posts along it.
- In July and August, the wettest months, carry rain gear and check the Shrine Board's notices before you set out.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Katra itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Katra →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How long does it take to walk from Katra to Vaishno Devi?
Wikivoyage gives 12 km and about 6 hours on foot from Katra to the Bhawan: about 3 hours to Ardhkuwari and 3 more to the top. The return is similar. Wikipedia gives the trek as 12 or 14 km depending on the route. Ponies, battery cars on part of the way and helicopters to Sanjichhat are the alternatives.
Can Vaishno Devi be done in one day?
Many pilgrims walk up and down in one long day or night, but by Wikivoyage's figures that is about 6 hours up, darshan, about 2 hours more for Bhairon, and about 6 hours down. This plan splits it over two days with a night near the Bhawan, which is easier on the knees and on older walkers.
How far is Bhairon temple from the Bhawan?
About 2 km above it by Wikivoyage, 2 hours on foot, and Wikipedia gives a 2.5 km trek. The ropeway from the Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati takes about 3 minutes and carries 800 people an hour. From Bhairon the path down can go straight to Ardhkuwari without returning to the Bhawan.