How to reach Vaishno Devi

                        चलो बुलावा  आया है ! माता ने बुलाया है !!


It is a strong belief by the devotees of Mata that the holy tour to Vaishno Devi starts after the "Call of Mata". You may analyze this to be an outcome of faith but it is more than a simple belief and many pilgrims have gained personal experiences regarding this "Call of Mata". Devotees feel that when Mata calls them, they are bound to visit Vaishno Devi, to get pampered with her love and blessings. On the contrary it is also believed that you can't take the Darshan if you do not get the "Call of Mata", irrespective of your high social status.
                                    




Reach Vaishno Devi by Rail:


Jammu Tawi (JAT) Railway Station
Vaishno Devi is located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir and can be easily reached via Jammu Tawi (जम्मू  तवी )
The nearest railway station from Vaishno Devi is Jammu Tawi (JAT), which is connected to all major cities of India. The Jammu Railway Station is located at the height of approximately 305 meters above sea level.





List of Trains for Jammu Tawi (JAT) :

The Jammu Railway Station has trains from almost each part of the country which can be boarded to reach Vaishno Devi. Indian Railways also announce some special trains from Jammu, during the peak season of summer vacations and other holidays. In addition to the Mail Express and Superfast trains, one can also reach Jammu through Rajdhani, Garib Rath and Duronto Express. Devotees can make an online railway reservation for Jammu, from the official website of Indian Railways or contact the authorized railway agents. The detailed list of trains for Jammu Tawi (JAT) is shown below:

Trains for Jammu Tawi (JAT)*
*The Detailed list of trains for Jammu Tawi given above is just for information, if you want to know the present status then  kindly visit the official web page of Indian Railways.



Reach Vaishno Devi by Air:

Devotees also have the option to reach Jammu by air. There are almost daily flights for Jammu from the major airlines of India.  Pilgrims can avail flights of Indian Airlines, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, Spicejet, Go Air or Jetair, and reach the city of Jammu. The average time from New Delhi to Jammu by air, is approximately 80 minutes. Yatris can book the online air tickets for Jammu either through the official website of Airlines or through the registered online and offline travel agents.





Reach Vaishno Devi by Road:

If you are planning to reach Jammu by road, then you can arrive via National Highway No. 1A. The city of Jammu is well accessible by road from the other parts of the country. There are various Sate Road Transport Corporation and other Private buses which travel from the north Indian cities to Jammu and Katra. Roadways give you the option to directly reach Katra without stopping at Jammu. Many standard, deluxe and super deluxe bus services are available to reach Jammu/Katra from the major cities of north India. Pilgrims are advised to book their bus tickets in advance, from the official site of the service providers or through the registered travel agents.

The road distance of some nearby major cities from Jammu is given below:

  • Amritsar to Jammu - 243 Km.
  • Chandigarh to Jammu - 436 Km.
  • Delhi to Jammu - 586 Km.
  • Katra to Jammu - 48 Km.
  • Srinagar to Jammu - 305 Km.
  • Manali to Jammu - 428 Km.
  • Patnitop to Jammu - 108 Km.
  • Mansar to Jammu - 62 Km.






Tips to Remember

According to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board around 101.15 lakh people took the Darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi in the year 2011. The figure keeps on rising each year and on an average 8-10 Lakh people visit each month. Anyone can easily imagine the rush in the trains or airways towards Vaishno Devi.

If you are planning to visit Mata Vaishno Devi then it is advisable to book your tickets well in advance for both up and down journey.
My personal advice is to plan for the tour 3-4 months before.  

Pilgrims using airways or railways to reach Vaishno Devi have to break their journey at Jammu, and from their select an alternative way to reach Katra. So, if you dislike break up journey and enjoy travelling through buses, then it is best to reach Vaishno Devi by bus. The roadways have a slipway to reach Katra and don't require breaking up the journey. However roadways also give you the option to stop at Jammu, if you want to see the lavish beauty of the city or visit other tourist places in Jammu.


            वो लोग निराले होते है, जो माता का दर्शन पाते है !!

                       

                                         जय  माता दी







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