The Vaishno Devi shrine is located in a cave towards the top of the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu-Kashmir. There are three pindies for Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Vaishno Devi is mostly identified with Mahalakshmi although She is the combined shakti's of all three. This is believed to be the only place where these three Devi's are found in one temple as natural pindies. The yatra, on foot, starts from Katra and continues up the mountain for around 12 kilometers. The yatra follows the path Vaishno Devi took when fleeing from Bhairon. Thousands of devotees make the climb daily to have darshan. It is believed that Vaishno Devi is the elder sister of the other seven Devi Mata's (Kangra, Jwalaji, Chamunda, Chintapurni, Naina and Mansa).

Route Of Yatra:

The 13 Kms hilly track between Katra and Bhawan contains number of ancient temples and view-points for rest and enjoy natural beauty. The first stop is at Banganga, 1 Km away from Katra where one can have holy bath in the Banganga and have a Langer/Parshad (free food) run by famous T-series Industries.

The second stop Charanpadhuka is about 2.5 Kms away from Banganga. It is believed that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji took rest while moving towards the Trikuta Hills. The place contains the foot prints of Goddess, and thus the place is named Charanpadhuka Temple..

The third stop Adkuwari is about 3 Kms from Charanpadhuka. Here one can stay for night as half of the journey is over. At Adkuwari the devotees can have Darshan of Adkuwari Temple and Gerbhjoon (an ancient Cave of about 20 feet). It is believed that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji hide herself from Bairon Nath in this cave for 9 months.

After a steep height of about 4 Kms from Adkuwari the fourth and last stop is Sanjichat. The Sanjichat is the highest place in the track. One can enjoy the aerial view of Katra, Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu.

From Sanjichat about 2.5 Kms downhill track led to Bhawan the holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. About 0.5 Kms from Bhawan on the Bahawan-Sanjichat track an about 2 Kms link track lead to the Bairon Nath temple. The track is further linked with Sanjichat though dense forest containing different species of wild life such as Langoor, Monkeys and other wild birds.

Palkies, Ponies, Pithoos...

Travel tips while entering a temple or a place of worship, one should follow the guidelines given below :

• You should leave your shoes outside the temple.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited on the temple grounds.
• Leather items should not be taken into a temple.
• It is traditional to circle the temple, stupa or deities. This should always be done clockwise.
• You should bow down to the deities with your left side to the deities, not your right side.
•While walking in a crowded room you should not walk over people to get some where. • Register themselves at the booking counter Katra and get the yatra slip
•Get permission for the video camera, if interested.
•Check the identity card of the Pithoo, Pony and Palki before hiring them.
•For ease of Journey Travel as light as possible, since all the facilities are available on the track.
•Avoid the use of Polythene bag to protect the environment.
•Throw the waste in the waste-boxes available.