Mata Vashnoo devi guide

The large number of Pilgrims thronging Jammu, the city of temples to reach the

Holy cave of Mata Vaishno Davi Ji in Trikuta hills near Katra may face problems of

varied nature during yatra. To come out of such difficulties, we are providing a

small but useful Yatri Guide for them.

Nearest Railway Station: Jammu

Nearest Airport: Jammu

►Distance of Katra from Jammu: 45 Kms.

AT JAMMU

►For immediate assistance, the Yatris should contact the information centres of both Tourism

Department and SMVD Shrine Board at Railway Station Jammu.

►The buses and special Taxis are readily available for Katra from here.

Transport

State Road Transport Super Deluxe Mini Coach Semi Deluxe B Class

Railway Station to Katra Rs. 48/- Rs. 53/- Rs. 37/- Rs. 29/-

Katra to Railway Station Rs. 25/- Rs. 30.50 Rs. 35/- Rs. 24.50/-

Private Bus Service Deluxe Coach (2 by 2) per passenger

Railway Station to Katra Rs. 46.70/-

Katra to Railway Station Rs. 46.70/-

(But due to tough competition these transporters charge Rs. 30/- to Rs. 35/-)

Local Bus Service is also available

Bus Stand Jammu to Katra Rs. 27/-

Katra to Jammu Bus Stand Rs. 24.30/-

(But due to tough competition these charge Rs. 20/-

Fares of taxis from Railway station and Airport Jammu to Katra

From Railway station

Taxi Stand Telephone: (0191- 2476485)

1. Ambassador (5 Passengers) Rs. 710/- (One Way)

2. Maruti Van (5 Passengers) Rs. 740/- (One Way)

3. Tata Sumo (7 Passengers) Rs. 860/- (One Way)

4. Tata Indica (4 Passengers) Rs. 810/- (One Way)

5. Esteem (4 Passengers) Rs. 810/- (One Way)

6. Qualis (7 Passengers) Rs. 1010/- (One Way)

From Airport

Taxi Stand Telephone: (0191- 2458224)

1. Ambassador (5 Passengers) Rs. 710/- (One Way)

2. Maruti Van (5 Passengers) Rs. 810/- (One Way)

3. Tata Sumo (7 Passengers) Not Available

4. Tata Indica (4 Passengers) Rs. 910/- (One Way)

5. Esteem (4 Passengers) Rs. 910/- (One Way)

6. Qualis (7 Passengers) Rs. 1100/- (One Way)

►There is also available the Deccan Aviation’s Helicopter service from Katra to Bhawan

.ACCOMMODATION

1) Tourist Reception Centre, Vir Marg, Jammu (J&K Tourism) (0191-2579559)

2) Vaishno Dham Railway Station (SMVD) (0191- 24)

3) Sarswati Dham Railway Station (SMVD)

►In additions to this, there are number of hotels, lodges and Dharamshalas in Jammu for all economy class yatries.

IMPORTANT PHONES AT JAMMU (STD CODE: 0191)

i) Government Hospitals

Medical College and Hospital,

Emergency 2549669

Hospital Gandhi Nagar 2430041

ii) Telephone Enquiry 197

iii) Fire Service 101

iv) Police Exchange & Control Room 100, 2542001, 2544581, 2544852

v) Railways

General Enquiry 131,132, 2431085, 2453029

Reservation 2431582

Station Manager 2431505

vi) Airlines

Jet Airways 2453888

Sahara Airways 2454568

Spice Jet 2431887

Indian Airlines 2430449

Air Deccan 2458101

Vii) J&K Tourism

Tourist Officer, Airport 2431917

Tourist Officer, Rly. Station 2430078

AT KATRA

ACCOMMODATIONS

1. Tourist Banglow, Near Shalamar Garden.

2. Tourist Retiring Centre, Bus Stand.

3. Niharika Yatri Niwas.

►Also there are number of hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamsalas for all economy class yatries.

For Accommodation at Bhawan provided by SMVD Shrine Board

Contact: 01991-232025, 232238, 232367

E-mail: helpdesk@maavaishnodevi.org.

Website: www.maavaishnodevi.org

Important phone numbers at Katra, (STD code of Katra is 01991)

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shrine Board : 232075 (Fax: 232089)

Tourist Reception Centre, Katra : 232005

Yatra Counter : 232092

Niharika Yatri Niwas : 232125

Ban Ganga : 232031

Ad Kuwari : 233329

Bhawan: SMD : 282225

Bhawan: Senior Manager : 282223

Block Medical Officer, Katra : 232127

Dak Bunglow, Katra : 232009

ASP, Katra : 232235 (Resi. cum Office)

S.H.O., Katra : 232010 -Do-

From Katra to Bhawan the distance with altitude is in ft. above sea level.

S. No. From To Distance (in Kms) Altitude (in Ft.)

1. Katra Darshani Darwaza 1 2700

2. Darshani Darwaza Baan Ganga 1 2800

3. Baan Ganga Charan Paduka 1.5 3380

4. Charan Paduka Ad Kuwari 4.5 4280

5. Ad Kuwari Hathi Matha 2.5 6500

6. Hathi Matha Sanji Chatt 2 7200

7. Sanji Chatt Bhairo Mandir 1.5 6583

8. Sanji Chatt Bhavan 2.5* 5200

►A good stretch of this length is prone to land slides and shooting stones.

YATRA

►The yatries while proceeding towards the Mata’s Shrine are advised to get them registered and obtain a

yatri-slip from the Registration counter,at Niharika, near Bus-Stand, Katra without which they will not be

allowed to go beyond Baan Ganga.

►At Baan Ganga, there is almost a round the clock Langar (Where food is served free of cost) run by the

Producers of T-series Cassettes.

►Palki, Pithu and Ponies can be hired from Katra to Bhawan. For this, you have to contact their main

offices, just opposite to Naib Tehsildar office Katra. Thse can be booked at Darshani Darwaza also.

Rates of Palki depending upon the weight of yatri.

1. From Katra to Bhawan and Back to Katra

Up to 75 kgs. Rs. 1520/-

Upto 100 kgs. Rs. 2140/-

Above 100 kgs Rs. 2360/-

2. From Katra to Bhawan and Back to Katra via Bhairo

Upto 75 kgs. Rs. 1750/-

Upto 100 kgs. Rs. 2420/-

Above 100 kgs Rs. 2630/-

Rates of Pithoo

1. From Katra to Bhawan and Back to Katra

20 kg luggage or child from 3 to 9 years: Rs.250/-

2. Katra to Bhawan

20 kg luggage or child from 3 to 9 years: Rs.125/-

3. Bhawan to Katra Via Bhairo

20 kg luggage or child from 3 to 9 years: Rs.150/-

Rates of Poney

Journey Details Weight of Yatri Rate per Yatri

Katra to Bhawan upto 75 kgs Rs. 190/-

- Do - upto 100 kgs Rs. 205/-

- Do - upto75 kg + Child Rs. 225/-

3 to 9 years of age

- Do - above 100 kgs Rs. 225/-

Ad – Kuwari to Katra

Ad – Kuwari to Bhawan upto 75 kgs Rs. 100/-

- Do - Upto 100 kgs Rs. 110/-

- Do - upto 75 kgs + 3 to Rs. 115/-

9 years child

- Do - upto 100 kg Rs. 120/-

From Bhawan to Katra

Via Bhairo Mandir upto 75 kgs Rs. 215/-

- Do - upto 100 kgs Rs. 230/-

- Do - upto 75 kgs +Child from

3 to 9 years Rs. 270/-

- Do - above 100 kgs Rs. 270/-

From Bhawan to Adh- Kumari

Via Bhairo Mandir upto 75 kgs Rs. 120/-

- Do - upto 100 kgs Rs. 125/-

- Do - upto 75 kgs +Child from

3 to 9 years Rs. 150/-

- Do - above 100 kgs Rs. 150/-

From Katra to Sanjichatt

upto 75 kgs Rs. 160/-

- Do - upto 100 kgs Rs. 175/-

- Do - upto 75 kgs +Child from

3 to 9 years Rs. 195/-

- Do - above 100 kgs Rs. 195/-

From Sanjichatt to Bhawan

Or Bhawan to Bhairo upto 75 kgs Rs. 70/-

- Do - upto 100 kgs Rs. 75/-

- Do - upto 75 kgs + Child from

3 to 9 years Rs. 85/-

- Do - above 100 kgs Rs. 85/-

Note :

1. While paying at the counter, the yatri should get the receipt of the said amount and the name and

Registration No. of the Palki-wala, Pithu or Pony-wala.

2. Entry gate no. 3 at Bhawan for Darshan is exclusively meant for army and other security personnel.

3. While enroute to Mata’s Shrine suppose a Yatri wants to hire a Pony, Pithu or Palki mid-way, they are

liable to demand the same rate as mentioned above irrespective of the distance to be covered.

From Baan Ganga upto Hathi Matha, the distance can be walked using either a smooth but lengthy track or

a short-cut of steep steps. The yatris are advised not to use the steps while returning to avoid unnecessary

fatigue. A new track has been made form Ad-Kuwari to Bhawan.

Throughout the route from Baan Ganga to Mata’s Shrine, the Shrine Board has provided facilities such as

drinking water, sheltered resting places and toilets @ minimum charges of 25 paisa. One also can relish

good food, soft drinks, tea, coffee, fruit juices etc. on different stalls enroute Bhawan.

Apart from rented accommodation, there are number of free Dharamshalas at Sanjhichat and Bhawan. One

can also use the blankets free of cost at these places. Clock-rooms are also available at Ad-kuwari and

Bhawan, Medical facilities are provided free of cost.

♦Rates mentioned above are subjected to change.

SOME RELIGIOUS PLACES IN JAMMU

Raghunath Temple: It is located in the heart of the city and the main market is named after the temple

complex. The complex consists of 17 temple complexes. However it is named after the main temple of Lord

Rama, Sita Mata and Lakshman. There is hardly any image of deity which is not represented in temple

complex.

Ranbirashwar Temple: It is the biggest Shiva temple in north India. This Temple has the biggest Lingam

of 7ft. in black stone. There are 1.25 lakh small Lingams in two halls. There are huge images of Ganesha,

Kartikya and a Bull in the verandah. On every Shivratri, a big mela is held at this temple.

Purmandal: It is about 40 kms from Jammu city. Purmandal is called as little Kashi. It is Located at the

back of holy river Devika which is considered as holy and sacred as Gangas. A large number of people visit

the shrine on Shivratri and Chaitra Choudeshi.

Chichi Mata: It is near Samba town and is being developed as a historic temple. It is also known as Pehla

Darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi.

Shiv Khori: It is wonderful natural cave in the hillock in Reasi tehsil which contains a self made image of

Lord Shiva. Exploration of its full length may bring startling facts like those present in the Luray caverns in

Washington. On every Shivratri, a big fair is held here.

Bawey Wali Mata: Just 4 km from Bikram Chowk, there is an ancient temple of Kali Mata. The temple is

inside the Fort called Bahu Fort on the name of its king, Raja Bahu Lochan, son of Jambu Lochan

the founder of Jammu city. Pilgrims throng this temple everyday, but the rush on Tuesdays and Sundays is

remarkable.