From the busy metropolis of Delhi, a spiritual pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi delivers a mind-blowing experience that combines devotion, adventure, and peace. Let’s dissect a Vaishno devi from Delhi Itinerary for 3 Days.
Table of Contents
Mata Vaishno Devi from Delhi Trip Itinerary for 3 Days
Day 1:
Departure from Delhi to Katra via Vande Bharat Express
The trip starts early in the morning at 6:00 AM from the New Delhi Railway Station on the Vande Bharat Express, a fast train that connects Delhi and Katra with ease. Approximately eight hours into the picturesque journey, the train arrives at Katra at 2:00 PM.
Hotel Booking: After arriving, check into your Katra lodging or Hotel there are various options of Hotels/Dharamshala or Shrine Board organised accommodation dormitory or rooms, you may make an advance booking from Shrine Board’s official website https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/ for Private Hotels you may book through any booking website.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the colorful local markets that provide a wide variety of mouthwatering local dishes and souvenirs. Indulge in the local cuisine and take in Katra’s energetic atmosphere.
Day 2:
Trek to Vaishno Devi Bhawan
Start your day early, at 6:00 AM, grab your RFID card from Katra Bus Stand or Helipad (if you are reaching by Helicopter), and begin your journey to the spiritual climb to Vaishno Devi Bhawan, which is tucked away in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains. The 14-kilometer journey can be completed in several ways, such as by horseback ride, chopper service, battery car, or the traditional walk.
Helicopter and Battery Car services: The chopper ride can be booked online or offline. Please check our article https://www.triphintsguru.com/vaishno-devi-helicopter-booking/ for more details. Battery car can also be booked online or one has to wait in the queue to get the ticket. However, Battery car service is being provided between Ardhkuwari and Bhawan so one has to reach Ardhkwari by foot or Horse.
There are 2 ways to reach Bhawan:-
- Traditional Way: This is the oldest and original way to reach Bhawan which takes more time due to its steep terrain and it is 1 km extra distance than the new track. It has the famous Hathi Matha and Sanjichat. Helicopters also land in Sanjichat Helipad.
- New Way: Just before reaching Ardhkwari you will find 2 ways 1 is the old one which reaches Ardhkwari Mandir and the other one is the new way to reach Bhawan which has a 5.5 KM distance to Bhawan comparatively is less steeper than the traditional way. The battery car starts from this Trek also Tarakot Marg which is recently developed merges here.
Ardhkwari: Ardhkwari mandir is halfway to your journey and the temple is a must-visit. Once you reach there you need to check for queue duration usually it takes more time than the Bhawan darshan as the queue moves slowly to Garbjun Guffa. If you wish to go back to a new way to reach Bhawan or have to opt for Battery cars, take an exit from Adhkuwari to the new trek (it is on the back side of the temple).
Set out on the journey, taking in the peace of the surrounding scenery as you go in the direction of Mata Vaishno Devi’s heavenly residence. When you get to the Bhawan, ask the holy deity for blessings and feel the spiritual atmosphere.
Bhawan: Once you reach Bhawan, you may take a halt at Manokamna Bhawan to have a meal or fresh yourself. There are many other private restaurants available at Bhawan like Sagar Ratna, Gulab, and other eateries by local vendors. You can buy Prasad for the main Temple from here Manokamna Bhawan has various options like Panch Mewa Parsad or Coconut Prasad etc.
Darshan: Then move towards Gate no.3 which now has the new Sky Walk to Vaishno Devi main Mandir. It should usually take 30 mins in normal days to complete your Pindi Dharshans.
Ropeway: Take a ropeway ride to the Bhairo Baba Temple, which offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Ropeway tickets are 2 way. So, you don’t have to buy a new ticket upon return. Don’t forget to take a Halwa Prasad from Bhairo Baba Bhawan’s Bhojanalaya which is free of cost for every devotee. Come back to Bhawan through Ropeway.
After spending some quiet time at this holy location, get back to Katra before Night.
Take a good rest after exertion in the hotel
Day 3: Return Journey to Delhi
The Return time of Vande Bharat Express is at 3 PM. You still have a half-day. After breakfast, you may plan to visit 9 Devi Temples and if you start early in the morning around 8 or 9 am then you may also visit Baba Dhansar Temple which is an amazing experience. Please check out our article about nearby places https://www.triphintsguru.com/places-to-visit-near-vaishno-devi/. Return to Katra by 2 PM have lunch and leave for Katra Railways station which takes 5-10 mins to reach by 2.30 PM
As the voyage of pilgrimage comes to an end, bid farewell to the holy region of Katra. At 3:00 PM, depart from Katra Railway Station and board the Vande Bharat Express with a heart full of spirituality and treasured memories. After almost eight hours, the train returns to Delhi, arriving in New Delhi at 11:00 PM.
