What Is The Best Time To Visit Vaishno Devi For A First-Timer? Know Which Month Is Suitable For You
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, a renowned Shakiteepatha, is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Post the Pahalgam Attack, everyone was concerned about the safety of visiting Mata Vaishno Devi.
However, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Chenab Bridge and the Vande Bharat running on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link on 6th June, 2025 has been a resounding yes to this question.
You can now reach the Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station easily from Srinagar on this Vande Bharat Train ride.
The railway station is also connected to the other major railway stations in the country. It is now located at a distance of 3km from the Mata Vaishno Devi trek base.
Moreover, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), the statutory body managing the shrine, has also been offering accident insurance coverage since 2018.
So, with improved connectivity and safety assured, it is now the most opportune moment to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. But do you know about the best time to visit Mata Vaishno Devi in a year?
In this Dream and Travel Guide, we will have a detailed discussion about the best months to visit Mata Vaishno Devi, essential registration, clothing and accessory requirements, and more.
The Key Areas Covered:
- Where Is Mata Vaishno Devi Temple?
- Why Is A Visit To Mata Vaishno Devi Special? A Revered Shakti Peetha
- What Is The Best Time To Visit Mata Vaishno Devi?
- How To Register For The Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra?
- Accomodation, Helicopter Travel, And Poojan At Mata Vaishno Devi
- What Will Be The Right Clothing And Accessories For Mata Vaishno Devi Visit?
- What Is The Best Time To Visit Vaishno Devi? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where Is Mata Vaishno Devi Temple?
Mata Vaishno Devi temple is located in the Katra town of the Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir. Furthermore, the holy shrine is located in the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1584 meters.
Katra is the base camp for the Mata Vaishno Devi Trek, and the trek distance is around 13 km.
Why Is A Visit To Mata Vaishno Devi Special? A Revered Shakti Peetha
Mata Vaishno Devi is worshipped as a form of Goddess Durga. Once you complete the trek, you will reach a cave, where three natural rock formations or Pindies are worshipped as the manifestation of Mata Vaishno Devi, or the mother Goddess who fulfils everyone’s wish.
Furthermore, Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, as the skull of Mata Sati fell here after her self-immolation. Moreover, the stories of the Ramayana are associated with Mata Vaishno Devi.
Ramachandra blessed Trikuta to meditate inside the cave of the Trikuta Hill, and he assured that he would marry her in the Kaliyuga when reincarnated as the Kalki Avatar.
The entire 13 km uphill trek is a celebration of the divine feminine. It is also about spiritual awakening and finding inner peace, making the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra an important event in the spiritual tourism of India.
Also, it is said that one can only complete the Mata Vaishno Devi trek if one gets the calling or Bulava from the Goddess.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Mata Vaishno Devi?
May to early July is the best time to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. However, October to November is the busiest month to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. Here is a brief breakdown of the best time to visit Vaishno Devi by month.
1. May To Early July: The Best Time To Visit Mata Vaishno Devi
Moderate weather conditions and a little chill after Sunset make May to July the ideal time for Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan.
Also, it is less crowded than the festive season in the Autumn months.
2. October To November: The Busiest Season To Visit Mata Vaishno Devi
The air of Mata Vaishno Devi reverberates with Jai Mata Di during the autumn season, from October to November. These are the months of Navratri and Dussehra.
Also, the landscape here looks most amazing after the monsoon season.
3. July To September: The Magic Of Monsoon
Vaishno Devi receives moderate to heavy rainfall. Walking through the lush vegetation and cascading waterfall is an experience here.
However, mudslides are common in the trek route during the monsoon season.
4. December To February: The Winter Trek
Vaishno Devi receives copious snowfall during the winter months due to its high altitude. However, despite the temperature dropping to sub-zero numbers, the caves remain open, and many pilgrims find the winter trek most spiritual among all because of the lack of crowds and silence.
How To Register For The Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra?
You have to register your Yatra with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board before the Yatra. You can also do the registration online from the (SMVDSB) website.
However, you will have to collect your RFID Yatra Access Card from the Yatra Registration Counter (YRC) by showing the online slip. Once you start the registration online, you will know about the locations of YRCs.
Additionally, you can contact SMVDSB through their WhatsApp number, 9906019494, or helpline numbers 01991-234804 and 18001807212.
Nevertheless, here is the step-by-step guide for Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra online registration.
- Visit the SMVDSB Yatra Registration Page and click on the Yatra Registration Link.
- You will be redirected to a new page, where you will have to provide your phone number, and you will receive an OTP for logging in.
- Log in using the OTP, and there will be a page with options such as Ropeway Bhawan to Bhaironji Ropeway Ride, Helicopter Ride, Battery Car, Accomodation, and Yatra Parchi.
There will also be Poojan and Donation options.
- Click on the Yatra Parchi option to go to the next page, where you will have to submit your name, address, phone number, and email ID. Fill in the boxes and click on the submit button to get your online registration slip.
Accomodation, Helicopter Travel, And Poojan At Mata Vaishno Devi
You can book accommodation, helicopter travel, Poojan, and Donation facilities from the SMVDSB website.
The ropeway ride from Bhawan to Bhaironji and back will cost INR 100. When you select the date for the ropeway ride, you will get the available slots for the date, and you will have to then choose between these slots.
Similarly, you can book the slots for Helicopter Rides, which cost INR 4420 for an adult. Furthermore, a battery car ride from Adhkuwari to Bhawan and from Bhawan to Adhkuwari will cost you INR 450, and from Adhkuwari to Bhawan, it will be INR 300.
Moreover, accommodations are available in Katra, Jammu, Bhawan, Ardkuwari, and Sanjhichhat. The prices of the dormitories and rooms will differ based on the location you choose.
What Will Be The Right Clothing And Accessories For Mata Vaishno Devi Visit?
You need to carry light woollen shawls or jackets for the trek to Mata Vaishno Devi throughout the year. Of course, in the winter season, you will need a heavy woolen shawl.
Furthermore, you need to wear sturdy walking shoes or sneakers to walk comfortably on the rough surface.
However, blankets and other essentials such as torches, sticks, and umbrellas are available for rent or purchase at the local shops on the way. Be careful about the price and the quality of the products.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Vaishno Devi? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You will need at least 2-3 days to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and the Bhairavnath. Furthermore, you can take an extra day to visit nearby attractions such as Shiv Khor or Patnitop.
Also, you can add 3-4 days more to this trip if you want a cultural and natural exploration of Jammu and Kashmir.
December to February are the months of snowfall in Vaishno Devi. The surroundings in these months look surreal with fresh snowfall and silence echoing in the valleys.
There is a rush in October and November in Vaishno Devi. These months remain busy due to the celebration of Navratri and Dussehra.
