Updated July 6, 2014: Shri Vaishno Devi Temple is the abode of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. Sri Mata Vaishno Devi resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of three peaked mountain named TRIKUTA(also known as TRIKOOT). Inside the holy cave the Goddess has revealed herself in the form of Holy Pindies manifesting Mata in her Three Forms Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Mata Saraswati.
The Holy Bhawan houses the Sanctum Sanctorum-The Holy cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi which is located at an altitude of 5200feet from the sea level.
Pilgrims or Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12KM to reach Holy Bhawan from the base camp located at Katra. Katra is located at a distance of 50KM from Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir State, India.
The temple is under administration of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra. The temple official website is www.maavaishnodevi.org
How to Reach:
On Road: 1) Buses are available frequently from Jammu to Katra for every 15minutes. Bus journey takes nearly 2hrs to reach Katra. 2)Taxis are also available from Jammu railway station/bus station/Jammu Airport. Taxi journey would takes 1.5hr to reach Katra from Jammu.
By Train: Train route is available now from Jammu to Katra(the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi in Trikuta Hills) via Udhampur. This train link was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, PM of India on 4/7/2014 and He suggested the Train name as "Shri Shakti Express". This will enable a direct rail link connectivity from Delhi.
By Air: Helicopter Services are available from Katra to Sanjhichatt. Sanjhichatt is the highest point to the Holy Bhawan.It is located at an altitude of 6200feet. The Holy Bhawan is located at a distance of 2KM from this point.
Jammu--50KM(Bus/Taxi)-->Katra---13KM(Trekking Only)-->Holy Bhawan(Sri Vaishno Devi Temple)
Route Map:
