Free Accomodations

For the convenience of the Yatries, a number of halls have been provided at at Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat & Bhawan. Pilgrims can take rest here while waiting for their turn for the Darshans of the Holy Goddess or before proceeding further. These halls are available free of cost but their availability is on a first come first served basis. Pilgrims can also spend the night in these halls. Toilet facilities have been made available here.

For the convenience of the pilgrims, Blanket Stores, Toilet Blocks, Bhojanalayas & Catering Units and a Medical Aid Centre have been opened up in the near vicinity of these accommodations units.

During days of heavy rush, free accommodation is also made available at Katra in the Niharika complex. Accommodation in the form of sheds is also made available near the Yatra Parchi counter II (YRC-II), adjacent to the New Bus Stand (Bus Stand No. II ). Besides accommodation, blankets are also provided free of cost.

Rented Accommodations

For the benefit of the pilgrims, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provides clean, well maintained and very economical accommodation. This accommodation is available at Jammu (at Vaishnavi Dham,Kalika Dham and Saraswati Dham near Railway Station), at Katra (at Niharika, Shakti Bhawan and Ashirwad Bhawan situated at the Bus stand) Katra. Another 700 bedded accommodation, Trikuta Bhawan, Katra is available for the Yatries. This building is situated near the 2nd Yatra counter (YRC II), Katra. Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra is available for the Yatries. This building is situated near Asia Chowk (approx. 1 km from Main Bus Stand Katra). Accommodation for the Yatries is also available at Adkuwari, Sanjichatt and Bhawan.

The available accommodation is in the form of rooms of various types, huts , suites and beds (dormitory accommodation). Rooms, both air conditioned and Non air conditioned are available. Dormitory accommodation is available at Katra, Adhikuwari Bhawan and Jammu. In all the accommodation units provided by Shrine Board, there is an additional facility of a hygienic, no profit no loss Bhojanalaya besides a Souvenir Shop and a free cloak room.

Accommodation for all Shrine Board Guest houses/dormitories can be booked (subject to availability) at the reception of these guest houses or at the Enquiry and Reservation counter at Niharika complex. Online booking is also possible through this website. For maximum chances of obtaining confirmed room reservations at various locations devotees are advised to make the necessary bookings well in advance. In addition, since heavy rush is experienced on weekends and holidays, pilgrims are advised to plan their Yatra on weekdays.

The bookings for the rented accomodations are online and offline both. Please check the type of accomodations here and its availability on website of Shrine Board

Shelter Sheds

The Shrine Board has constructed Shelter sheds at various places along the track. At certain stretches on the alternate track and on the old track from Sanjhichhat to Bhawan, these shelter sheds cover almost the entire track. However, in other portions of the track, the sheds have been provided at a distance of about 500 meters from one another.

These shelter sheds are instrumental in saving the visiting devotees from Shooting stones, rain, sun, snow and adverse weather conditions. The decent seating facilities provided underneath the sheds, prompt the devotees to have a little rest. Hence they are also called Vishram Sthals. Toilet blocks and refreshment units have been provided adjacent to most of the shelter sheds, for the facility of the pilgrims.

Bhaojanalya

Refreshments like biscuits, cold-drinks tea, coffee, milk, mineral water, etc. are available along the way at refreshment Units of the Shrine Board. Nearly all of these units are located at carefully selected locations from where one can have a panoramic view of the valley. Therefore, they are also known as View Points. There are a total of 12 such view points. 9 of these refreshment units (or view points) are located on the old track while 3 are located on the alternate track to Bhawan. All the items offered at these view points are on a no-profit basis thus ensuring proper quality and value for the money paid by the pilgrims.

The larger viewpoints serve meals, bread, buns also, while the smaller ones only serve packed snacks and beverages. In addition, oxygen cylinders, cassettes, milk for infants is also available at these viewpoints

Most of the viewpoints are located at or near Vishram Sthals (resting points). The Vishram Sthals are so called because track is covered with sheds here and benches or resting places are provided. In addition, toilets and drinking water points are also located nearby. In brief, there are adequate opportunities for rest, rejuvenation and eat and drink in and around the viewpoints and the Vishram Sthals.

Besides edible items, rain coats, umbrellas, first aid, complaint suggestion boxes and information brochures are also available at these viewpoints.

Shrine Board also runs full-fledged Bhojanalyas to provide wholesome and hygienic food to the pilgrims on no-profit basis. Because of the Board's policy of running all its units on a no-profit basis all the items are available at very cheap and affordable rates.

The Shrine Board runs five Bhojanalyas in all, one each at Adkuwari and Sanjichhat and three at main Bhawan. The Bhojanalyas at Bhawan run round the clock and serve a varied but traditional menu. There is in addition, a catering cell at Katra to cater to the needs of pilgrims utilizing accommodation facilities at the Niharika Complex.

There are a number of private establishments available on the track but yatries are advised to assure themselves about the fair price and quality of the goods being offered. In particular, Yatries are advised to strongly desist from paying anything over the retail price printed on the packaged products.

Medical Treatment

While no specific medical certificate is needed to undertake the Yatra, those suffering from heart, breathing or similar ailments are advised to proceed with the Yatra only after due medical checkup and advice.

Cardiac, asthmatic and orthopedic problems are known to get aggravated due to the strenuous climb. In any case, these patients are strongly advised against using the stairs.

To cater to the medical needs of the yatries there is a block hospital at Katra as well as a 24 hours charitable dispensary run under the aegis of the Shrine Board. Emergency needs can be taken care of by basic medical facilities at Banganga, Adkuwari, Sanjichhat and Bhawan. Oxygen cylinders and emergency drugs are also available. A dispensary and 24-hr ICU is also available at Bhawan.

Blankets

The Holy cave is situated at a height of 5200 ft above sea level. Even during summers, the nights are cool and Yatries would normally require the use of blankets at night. The Shrine Board has arranged for free blanket stores at various locations. For a nominal and refundable security deposit, yatries are issued blankets for the night. Blanket stores are located at various convenient locations and as already mentioned, the service is entirely free of charge. The security obtained from the yatri is refunded, once the blanket is returned. Pilgrims are advised to obtain a proper receipt for each and every financial transaction.

Cloak Rooms

Considering that many yatries would like to leave behind their excess luggage in Katra before undertaking the Yatra, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has provided for free cloak room facility in all its guest houses/ lodging places. Cloak room facility is also offered by many hotels and lodges. Certain private Sarais, shops and establishments also claim to offer such facilities but yatries are advised to reassure themselves of the credentials of the service provider before entrusting their luggage to them.

Free cloak room facilities are available at the main Bhawan complex also. There are at least two cloak rooms which are functional round the clock. There is a cloak room located just opposite to the main queue complex (gate No.1). This cloak room can be used for depositing shoes, belts, combs and all other items that are not allowed in the Holy cave. In addition, another cloak room is functional in Sridhar Bhawan. Yatries can deposit their entire luggage here before proceeding for Darshans. However, yatries are advised not to keep their cash, jewellry, valuables or electronic items amongst the deposited luggage. All cloak room facilities are absolutely free of cost.

Souvenir Shops

For yatries who wish to carry with them mementos of the great pilgrimage, the Shrine Board operates Souvenir Shops at Bhawan, Sanjichhat, Adkuwari, Katra bus stand and at Vaishnavi Dham (Jammu). Chunris, Cholas, Saris, shawls which have been offered to the Holy Goddess are available at these Souvenir Shops at nominal prices. Pilgrims can obtain them and preserve them as souvenirs or can place them at the place of worship inside their houses.

Besides, other exclusive items available at the Souvenir Shops include, audio cassettes, CDs, various publications of Shrine Board, laminated photos of the Holy Pindies, Jute Bags, Bangle Chura etc. Yatries may take notice that all these items are exclusively available at the Souvenir Shops of Shrine Board and are not available at any of the private shops.

The Shrine Board has developed Gold and Silver coins of guaranteed purity. These coins carry an impression of the Holy Pindies and are made of Gold or Silver offered at the feet of the Goddess. These coins are available at the Prashad counter just outside the Holy Cave and at all the banks at Bhawan. The rates of the coins depend on the denomination chosen and the prevailing gold/silver rates.

Palki, Pony and Pithoos

Many pilgrims who are overweight or otherwise not fit to walk for long. Many devotees have breathing problems or some other ailments or are old or physically challenged. All or some of them may need the services of ponies and palanquins.

Interestingly, many pilgrims tend to walk all the way to the Holy Shrine out of faith and devotion and after the Darshans feel so tired that they have to hire horses for the return journey. While nothing is wrong with it, a downhill trip on a pony may sometimes be more tiring and exhausting for the whole body as compared to the uphill travel. This needs to be kept in mind before deciding on a course of action.

In addition to ponies, porters (popularly called Pithus) may also be required for carrying luggage or for carrying young children who are afraid to or are too young to ride a horse. Other than carrying luggage, Pithus can also carry small children (who are afraid or cannot manage to ride a horse) or light weighted old people.

The Pony, Porter and Palanquin services are managed by the local/under a municipal committee organizing the local municipal affairs. All these porters, pony owners and palanquin (palki) owners are registered with municipal committee and carry an identity card/token number. Their cards/permits are renewed every year and new cards carrying a fresh validity date are issued. Any card that is outside the scope of this validity date is naturally invalid and hence disqualifies its owners from offering services on the track. Many unregistered Pithus tend to show their old and invalid cards to get work. Yatries are advised to carefully scan the identity card/token of the porter/pony owner and satisfy themselves about its validity. It is also advisable to retain this identity card and handover the same only after satisfactorily reaching the destination.

The rates of all these services are fixed. Information about these rates is available on various sign boards and at the Assistance Centers at Katra, Banganga and other places. The currently prevailing rates must be verified from the Assistance Counters or the sign boards.

One must avoid paying anything over and above the fixed rates. One can always offer them food, refreshment etc. if one wishes to, but it is out of choice and is not mandatory. For any difficulty or information, one may contact the municipal committee counters or the Shrine Board Offices.

Details can be found here

Banks and ATMs

Many nationalized and private banks have their branches at Katra. The State Bank of India, Bank of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir Bank also provide ATM facilities at Katra, Ardhkuwari and Bhawan.

ATMs are installed at

• Katra Bus stand
• Niharika Complex Gate
• Ardhkuwari
• Bhawan