Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, Katra
Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
The Bhawan is the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, high in the Trikuta hills above Katra, and it is the goal of the yatra. The shrine is a natural limestone cave, and the object of worship is three natural rock formations called Pindis, reached after a walk of about 30 metres through a narrow passage. The one on the right is black and worshipped as Maha Kali, the one in the centre has a yellowish-red tinge and is worshipped as Maha Lakshmi, and the whitish one on the left is worshipped as Maha Saraswati. A stream called Charan Ganga runs out from beneath the Pindis, and there are no statues inside the cave.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of the three Pindis in the holy cave
- See the Charan Ganga stream that runs through the cave
- Take in the mountain views from the Bhawan complex
- Visit the Bhairon Mandir higher up the hill, to complete the yatra
Ideal for
- Devotees of the Goddess, on the most visited Shakti pilgrimage of north India
- First-time pilgrims who want a guided, well-planned yatra
- Families, with the option of a pony, palki, battery car or helicopter for part of the way
Good to know
- Yatra registration is mandatory and free, and is issued only by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (www.maavaishnodevi.org), as an RFID card
- The first check post at Banganga must be crossed within 6 hours of the card being issued, or the card is cancelled
- The climb from Katra is about 13 km (some sources say 12), and guides give about 6 to 8 hours up and 4 to 5 hours down, plus the darshan queue
- Photography is reported as not allowed in the temple, and rules on phones, bags and leather items must be checked on the official site
- Registration can be suspended in bad weather, so check the current status before travelling
Spiritual significance
The Bhawan is the heart of the Vaishno Devi yatra, one of the most visited pilgrimages in India. Devotees walk up from Katra with the call of Jai Mata Di, and the darshan of the three Pindis is the high point of the journey.
Why it matters
- A natural cave shrine: the Goddess is worshipped in three natural rock Pindis, with no idols
- The Trikuta yatra: a long, well-organised climb with services on the way
- A famous pilgrimage: visited by pilgrims from all over India throughout the year