For any Enquiry, Call us, +91-9911990190 , +91-9911990190

Home / Bhawan

Journey Guide

Multiple Ways To Reach

Step-by-step journey guides for every route to the Bhawan

Trek Route
9 Steps
Katra Flight
~5–12 min
Jammu Flight
~45–50 min
Trek Distance
~13 km
Mandatory
RFID Card

Tracking

On foot · Via Banganga · ~13 km one way

9 Steps
1
Collect Your RFID Card

Counters for RFID Card are at Railway Station, Katra and Bus Stand Katra. Book your accommodation from Niharika Complex, Bus Stand Katra. RFID Card is a MUST during your travel.

Katra Bus Stand / Railway Station
2
Commute to Ban Ganga Frisking Point

Commute to Ban Ganga Check post by Auto Rickshaw or by walking. Keep your luggage handy and easier to carry.

Frisking & Security Check
3
Book Pithoo, Palki, or Pony, if needed

After crossing the frisking point, you can now book Pithoo, Palki, or Pony. It depends on your luggage and necessity. You can also get the LANGAR by Late Gulshan Kumar.

Optional · Available after checkpost
4
Short Stay at Charan Paduka Temple

This is the first darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi Charan. Take the blessings here, take some rest and then continue further. If you are using a Pony or Palki, ask the pillion to stop for a while.

Temple Stop
5
Ardh Kuwari Temple

If you are here, you are half done. If you have bookings here to stay for a night, you can try the cave darshan here. Generally, the line is too long, and hence your turn may come after 10-12 hrs. You can take food, snacks, whatever you need. If you wish to do cave darshan within 1-2 hrs, you need to stay and participate either for evening or morning aarti.

Half-Way Temple · Rest Point
6
Ways to Bhawan from Ardhkuwari

There are two ways from here: one is via Hathi Matha and Sanjhi Chhat, which is the older route. The new one is the battery car route via Himkoti. If you are using a pony, they will opt for the older route. You can also use the Battery car from here if you have bookings.

Old Route or Himkoti (Battery Car)
7
Himkoti Frisking Point

Himkoti is 2.5 Km ahead of Ardhkuwari and there you can enjoy South Indian Dosa. You can enjoy the beautiful sceneries and take photos. Frisking is done here again with your luggage.

Security Check
8
Bhawan

Bhawan is visible from the faraway mountains and you feel devotion automatically seeing the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Once you reach there, try to reach your booked accommodation if any. If you do not have any accommodation, you can try Parvati Bhawan, Durga Bhawan for free accommodations.

Main Shrine · Darshan
9
Bhairo Mandir

It is said that after worshipping Maa Vaishno Devi, you must go to Bhairo Mandir, which is 2 km away from Bhawan and you can go there by booking the Ropeway or walking by yourself.

Return Route Stop
Quick Tips for Trek
Wear comfortable shoes Carry sufficient water RFID card must be worn at all times Carry warm clothes at night Ponies / palki available en route

Helicopter From Katra

Katra → Sanjhi Chhat / Panchi · ~5–12 min flight

6 Steps
1
Collect Your RFID Card

Counters for RFID Card are at Railway Station, Katra and Bus Stand Katra. Book your accommodation from Niharika Complex, Bus Stand Katra. RFID Card is a MUST during your travel.

Katra Bus Stand / Railway Station
2
Commute to Serli Helipad

From here, you can either book a pony or walk to Bhawan, which is 3.5 km away from Sanjhi Chhat and 1 km from Panchi. There is no upward tracking from here. So it's easy.

Katra Sarli Helipad
3
Be on your scheduled time at Helipad

Even if you are late by max 30 minutes, you may miss your turn and you will have to wait in Queue.

Report 30 min early
4
Drop at Sanjhi Chhat/Panchi Helipad

From here, you can either book a pony or walk to Bhawan, which is 3.5 km away from Sanjhi Chhat and 1 km from Panchi. There is no upward tracking from here. So it's easy.

~5–12 min flight
5
Bhawan

Bhawan is visible from the faraway mountains and you feel devotion automatically seeing the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Once you reach there, try to reach your booked accommodation if any. If you do not have any accommodation, you can try Parvati Bhawan, Durga Bhawan for free accommodations.

Main Shrine · Darshan
6
Bhairo Mandir

It is said that after worshipping Maa Vaishno Devi, you must go to Bhairo Mandir, which is 2 km away from Bhawan and you can go there by booking the Ropeway or walking by yourself.

Return Route Stop
Helicopter Info - Katra
Book via Shrine Board website only Age 2+ requires a booked seat Hotels offer free pickup to helipad Priority darshan at Panchi route

Helicopter From Jammu Airports

Jammu Airport → Panchi Helipad · ~45–50 min flight

5 Steps
1
Collect Your RFID Card

Counters for RFID Card are at Railway Station, Katra and Bus Stand Katra. Book your accommodation from Niharika Complex, Bus Stand Katra. RFID Card is a MUST during your travel.

Jammu Airport Shrine Board Counter
2
Commute to Jammu Helipad

Commute to Helipad. It's just a 5-minute walk inside Jammu airport premises only. Keep your luggage handy and easier to carry.

Jammu Airport Helipad
3
Drop at Panchi Helipad

From here, you will be facilitated with a free battery car (from both sides) to commute to Bhawan, which is 1 km from Panchi.

~45–50 min flight
4
Bhawan

Bhawan is visible from the faraway mountains and you feel devotion automatically seeing the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Once you reach there, try to reach your booked accommodation if any. If you do not have any accommodation, you can try Parvati Bhawan, Durga Bhawan for free accommodations.

Main Shrine · Darshan
5
Bhairo Mandir

It is said that after worshipping Maa Vaishno Devi, you must go to Bhairo Mandir, which is 2 km away from Bhawan and you can go there by booking the Ropeway or walking by yourself.

Return Route Stop
Jammu Helicopter Fares
Same day return: ₹35,000/person Next day return: ₹50,000/person Priority darshan included Book via Shrine Board website only
Planning your Vaishno Devi Yatra?

The Definitive Vaishno Devi Yatra Guide 2026

Every step covered - RFID to darshan, helicopter to palki · For Families, Groups & First-timers

  • RFID Yatra Parchi complete guide
  • Helicopter booking - all 6 types explained
  • 16 sections, 50+ pages - updated 2026
₹99
Complete Digital Guide
Get the Guide - ₹99
We Can Book It For You

Want Help Arranging Your Vaishno Devi Trip?

Skip the planning. Our private assistance team can book your hotel, helicopter, battery car, Yatra Parchi and travel to Katra - as a complete Yatra package or one service at a time.

  • Hotels in Katra
  • Helicopter & Battery Car
  • Train, Taxi & Transfers
  • Full Day-by-Day Itinerary

We are a private service provider, not the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and not affiliated with it. Our assistance fee is charged separately. View our charges →

News/Updates
● LIVE UPDATES DonateDonate Online NRINRI Donate Online
Yatra Help