Vaishno Devi Tour Packages

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple is one of the most important and revered shrines in India. Devotees from all over the country like to go on a holy pilgrimage to this shrine, which is located in Trikuta Hills, roughly 13 km from Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. Find essential information regarding the Shri Vaishno Devi tourism and the popular Vaishno Devi tour packages on this page.

Historical and cultural importance of Vaishno Devi

There are many legends associated with the origin of the temple. One such tale talks about a demon named Bhairon Nath, who was infatuated with the beauty of Vaishno Devi and sought to marry her. However, in order to commit to her penance, she fled from him to escape his approach. But Bhairon Nath was persistent and kept his pursuit on and followed her through the rugged Trikuta Mountains. In desperation, Vaishno Devi reached a cave in the mountains where she transformed into a powerful goddess. It is believed that outside this cave she beheaded the demon in her divine form. After this, Bhairon Nath had time to reflect on his mistake and sought forgiveness from the goddess. He attained salvation after merging his soul with the goddess. Devotees in millions visit this shrine every year.

As for the historical background, there isn’t much information however the existence of the temple can be traced back several hundred years. The first mentions of the holy cave can be found in the ancient epic, Mahabharata. Popular belief is that the first ones to build the Kol Kandoli Temple and the main Bhawan were the Pandavas to show their gratitude to the mother goddess. Over time, the temple gained popularity and soon became a major site for pilgrimage in the country. The present structure of the temple is quite modern, considering it has undergone several renovations, additions and other changes. To enjoy all of these experiences on your trip, opt for the Vaishno Devi tour packages by Thomas Cook.

Traditions and rituals practised in Vaishno Devi 

Throughout the year, millions of devotees and tourists visit Shri Vaishno Devi Temple. The occasion of Navarati is the most popular time for a spiritual Vaishno Devi tour. You can find Maa Vaishno Devi in Katra tour packages for the festive season on our website. The temple complex includes the holy cave dedicated to Vaishno Devi and other shrines dedicated to other deities. The main rituals at the Vaishno Devi temple are the traditional aarti (prayer) and the distribution of holy offerings (Prasad). The atmosphere of the shrine is divine and very soothing, with Bhajans (devotional songs) and “Jai Mata Di” chants reverberating through the air. On a visit to Shri Vaishno Devi Mandir, devotees make traditional offerings to the goddess of sarees, “chunri”, Cholas, gold or silver ornaments, flowers, etc.

Places to Visit in Vaishno Devi 

On your Vaishno Devi tour, make sure to check out the nearby places of religious importance, such as;

Other religious places to visit in Vaishno Devi 

Dera Baba Banda

Dera Baba Banda is one of the best places to see in Vaishno Devi for Sikhs. Located in Katra’s Reasi district, this holy gurudwara is over 300 years old and is dedicated to a sikh military officer named Baba Banda Bahadur, who was a follower and one of the favourites of Guru Govind Singh. It is roughly 60 km from Shri Vaishno Devi. It is sometimes included in Vaishno Devi tour packages.

Ban Ganga 

Ban Ganga is located at a distance of 6 km from Katra Railway Station. It falls along the route of the holy yatra, making it one of the most important places to see in Vaishno Devi for pilgrims. It is a sacred river where pilgrims like to take a holy dip before continuing their journey to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The place has two ghats for holy dips and is associated with many interesting legends. It is a common part of the itinerary of popular Vaishno Devi holiday packages.

Baba Dhansar

Only 14 km from Katra Railway Station is the holy site of Baba Dhansar. Placed on the side of the majestic Karua Jheel, it is one of the most important temples in Vaishno Devi. As per legend, in ancient times, Baba Dhansar with the help of Lord Shiva was able to defeat a demon that caused havoc in the area. After that, the villages constructed a cave temple and a Nag temple in honour of Lord Shiva and Baba Dhansar. You can look for Vaishno Devi holiday packages featuring this site on our website. 

Unique features of Vaishno Devi 

Alongside the revered temples in Vaishno Devi, the landscape surrounding the region is quite breathtaking. While covering the trail, you will come across dense forests, majestic green hills, blue lakes and sacred cave temples. The revered temple of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is located on the lap of Trikuta Hills. In addition, the sacred Ban Ganga river flowing through the region adds a scenic charm to the landscape. Our Vaishno Devi holiday packages are designed to offer you the ideal experience on your spiritual journey.

Temples to Visit in Vaishno Devi  

Here are the details of the main temples in Vaishno Devi;

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is the main temple in the region and a standard part of all Vaishno Devi holiday packages. It is one of the most visited Vaishno Devi tourist places, drawing millions of devotees from all corners of the country every year. Situated on the lap of the beautiful Trikuta Hills in Katra, J&K, the shrine is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi or the Mother Goddess. It is believed that visiting this shrine will lead to one’s wishes being fulfilled. Inside this cave temple, there is the idol of the goddess in the form of a five and a half feet tall rock with three heads (Pindies), which signifies her three forms, Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. The shrine is a standard inclusion of a Vaishno Devi trip plan.

Ardhkuwari

Just half an hour from Vaishno Devi Temple is the holy site of Ardhkuwari Gufa. This 52-foot-long cave is also known as Garbajoon cave and has a shape that resembles a mother’s womb. It lies on the route of the yatra, making it one of the most crucial Vaishno Devi places to visit. According to the legend, it is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi took shelter and meditated for nine months in this cave before proceeding towards the Holy Cave of Vaishno Devi. Get Vaishno Devi holiday packages featuring this shrine on our website.

Bhairavnath Temple

The Bhairavnath Temple is among the most noteworthy Vaishno Devi places to visit. Located on the Bhairavnath hilltop, it lies only a few minutes from the Holy Cave temple, making it a common inclusion in popular Vaishno Devi travel packages. Bhairavnath was a tantric who pursued Vaishno Devi for marriage. When she fled from him he followed her to the cave where he was beheaded by the goddess in her divine form. According to the locals, the site of the temple is believed to be the place where he took his last breath and it was later constructed into a temple dedicated to him. Devotees on their Vaishno Devi pilgrimage often add this shrine to their Vaishno Devi itinerary.

Deva Mai Temple

The Deva Mai Temple is an important temple in the region. Just 9 km from the Katra Railway Station, it is a major inclusion of a spiritual Vaishno Devi itinerary. There are many legends associated with this place, one of which suggests that it is a place where Vaishno Devi meditated during the early Kalyuga phase in order to complete her life as a human. Get Vaishno Devi travel packages featuring prominent tourist attractions on Thomas Cook.

Things to Know While Visiting Vaishno Devi  

Here are some things that you should know prior to the Vaishno Devi trip;

• You will need an authentic yatra slip for the visit, which you can only obtain from the Tourist Reception Centre at the Katra Bus Stand.
• During the climb, walk on the paved track instead of the stairs in order to avoid over-straining yourself.
• Playing cards, chewing betel or smoking are prohibited on the route and at the Bhawan.
• Liquor, egg, fish and meat are banned in Katra Town.
• Video cameras are prohibited beyond Ban Ganga.
• Respect the sentiments of co-pilgrims.
• Dress modestly on the route to the yatra and when visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple.
• To explore the many hidden gems in the region, consider hiring a Vaishno Devi tour guide.

Best Time to Visit Vaishno Devi  

Before searching for the best Vaishno Devi tour packages, make sure to look into the ideal time for the visit first. Here’s what you need to know;

Summer in Vaishno Devi

Summer stretches from March to June and the region experiences clear weather with warm temperatures, ranging between 15 to 30°C. It is a good time for the holy pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi, however, do note that the weather can get quite hot during the daytime. It is advised to pack light and comfortable clothes for your tour to Vaishno Devi in summer. Browse Vaishno Devi travel packages for summer on Thomas Cook.

Monsoon in Vaishno Devi

The months from July to September cover the monsoon season in Vaishno Devi. The region experiences moderate to warm temperatures with heavy rainfall, which leads to slippery and muddy paths, making the trek more challenging and hazardous. If you have chosen this season for your tour to Vaishno Devi, make sure to proceed with caution. Get attractive deals on Vaishno Devi travel packages on our page.

Autumn in Vaishno Devi

Autumn in the region reigns from October to November, offering overall pleasant weather conditions. You can expect an average temperature range of 10-25°C, ideal for pilgrimage, Vaishno Devi sightseeing and other outdoor activities. The natural beauty of the region also takes on a majestic look during these months. Many consider it the best time to visit Vaishno Devi. If you are visiting during these months, make sure to book accommodation, train/flight tickets, Vaishno Devi packages, etc., in advance.

Winter in Vaishno Devi

Winter, which extends from December to February, presents the region with cold weather with an average temperature range of 0-15°C. The picturesque snow-covered landscape makes the journey to Vaishno Devi more beautiful. If you are visiting during these months, be mindful of the chilly weather and snow-covered slippery roads. Purchase Vaishno Devi travel packages for any season on Thomas Cook. 

Quotes and Inspirations 

There are many reasons why millions of people, just like us, are drawn towards the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. It is a renowned temple for Hindus and the region has many other notable religious landmarks that fall on its route. Many devotees have said that they get a calling from the holy site itself, termed as “Bulawa”. This is when the goddess calls to her children and upon receiving the call, they must visit the shrine. We also heard that whoever visits the shrine to pay their respects to the goddess, has their wishes fulfilled by her. All of these combined have led us to the doors of the goddess in the lap of the Trikuta Hills. Along the way, we visited other notable spiritual sites like the Dera Baba Banda, Ban Ganga, Baba Dhansar and so on. For a better tourism experience, you can hire a local Vaishno Devi travel guide.

As our hearts slowly filled with the serene ambience, scenic landscapes and spiritual gain, we took the main path leading to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir, which took us about a few hours. However, once we were at the temple, all of the effort felt worth it. Seeing like-minded devotees drawn to the temple to catch a glimpse of the goddess, we felt just at home. The whole ambience was filled with a serene and divine aura that can not be properly translated into words. It is one of those experiences that you can feel by being there in person. After our darshan and offerings, we stayed and enjoyed the views of the region and then started our journey back. While returning, we remembered a quote from Sri Ramakrishna, where he said “The winds of God’s grace are always blowing, it is for us to raise our sails”. Maybe taking up the holy journey to Vaishno Devi was a major step towards our divine voyage. For Vaishno Devi spiritual tours with interesting itineraries, opt for the Vaishno Devi packages by Thomas Cook.

What to Eat in Vaishno Devi? 

To satisfy your hunger on your Vaishno Devi trip, make sure to try these food options;

Rajma Chawal

This classic North Indian food is one of the most popular vegetarian dishes available on the route to Vaishno Devi. This famous Vaishno Devi food both tastes good and fills your hunger. It consists of spicy, gravy-rich kidney beans served with steamed rice.

Chole Bhature

Chole Bhature is a vegetarian Vaishno Devi famous food item that locals and pilgrims like to eat when in Katra. It is a classic combination of deep-fried bread, called Bhature, and a side of spicy, gravy-rich chickpeas, called Chole. It is a simple yet mouthwatering dish that you can try on a budget. Most of the Vaishno Devi packages by Thomas Cook come with meals as a standard inclusion.

Kashmiri Pulao

No matter where you are in Jammu and Kashmir, you will always find eateries offering aromatic Kashmiri Pulao. It is a traditional Kashmiri sweet and savoury rice dish that is prepared with basmati rice, spices, saffron, and a mix of fruits and nuts.

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is a famous food in Vaishno Devi. It is often described as the king of vegetarian dishes in the region. Paneer Butter Masala is a rich and creamy dish made of Indian cottage cheese (paneer) and other ingredients like spices, tomatoes, butter, cashews, etc.

Aloo Dam

Aloo Dam is a beloved vegetarian Vaishno Devi food item that is consumed on the side of rice, roti, puri or bhature. It is a tangy and spicy potato curry dish made with flavourful masala gravy and yoghurt. You can find it at most vegetarian eateries in the region on your Vaishno Devi visit. Get the best deals on popular Vaishno Devi trip packages on Thomas Cook.

Shopping in Vaishno Devi 

Shopping is one of the best things to do in Vaishno Devi. Here are some markets you can consider checking out;

Lavanya Shopping Complex

One of the most popular places to visit in Katra for shopping is the Lavanya Shopping Complex. The complex is home to many shops and vendors, selling all kinds of traditional Kashmiri products, ranging from clothing to souvenirs. The place is most popular for buying pashmina shawls and stoles in the region. Look for Vaishno Devi trip packages that offer sufficient time to explore these markets.

Katra Main Bazaar

Katra Main Bazaar is the main shopping place that falls on the route to the holy Vaishno Devi yatra. In this market, you can find all kinds of products, including general items as well as regional works. Some examples of things you can buy at this market include clothes, shawls, food items, walking sticks, baskets, etc. The best thing to buy from this market is locally grown, high-quality dry fruits, like dried apples, almonds, walnuts, etc. 

Ardhkuwari Market

Another well-known market that visitors can check out on their Vaishno Devi travel is the Ardhkuwari Market. The place is notable for its many shops selling all kinds of colourful traditional clothes. It is also a good place for buying winter apparel. Other things available for purchase at this market are accessories, like hairpins, bangles, brooches, etc., fruit baskets, souvenir items, etc.