Begin your journey to Vaishnodevi by reaching Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage. Katra is a small town nestled amidst the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains. Spend your morning exploring the local bazaars and trying out some local delicacies like rajma chawal and khatta meetha kadoo. In the afternoon, trek to Banganga, which is the starting point of the Vaishnodevi yatra. The trek is a bit steep and can take around 2-3 hours. You can take a pony or a palanquin if you find it challenging to walk. In the evening, visit the Ardhkuwari Temple situated at a height of 4,800 feet above sea level. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Vaishnodevi and has a fascinating mythology behind it.
Start your second day by visiting the Bhairavnath Temple, which is situated around 2.5 km from Bhawan. It is believed that the Vaishnodevi yatra is incomplete without seeking blessings at the Bhairavnath Temple. The temple is dedicated to Bhairav, who is believed to be the protector of the holy shrine. In the afternoon, visit Sanjichhat, which is situated at a height of 6,600 feet above sea level. The place offers picturesque views of the surrounding valleys and is an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic. You can also visit the Sanjichhat helipad and take a helicopter ride to the holy shrine. In the evening, return to Bhawan and witness the grand Arti ceremony at the temple.
On the third day, start your journey by trekking to Charanpaduka, which is situated at a height of 3,380 feet above sea level. The place is believed to have imprints of Goddess Vaishnodevi's feet and is regarded as a sacred site by the locals. In the afternoon, visit Adkuwari, which is situated at a height of 4,300 feet above sea level. The place has a cave temple dedicated to Mata Vaishnodevi and is believed to be the halfway point of the yatra. The cave is narrow and can be a bit challenging to traverse, but it is an experience of a lifetime. In the evening, return to Bhawan and spend some time exploring the local markets.
On the last day of your trip, start your trek to the holy shrine of Vaishnodevi. The trek is around 12 km long and can take around 6-7 hours to complete. It is a challenging trek, but the scenic beauty of the surroundings makes it worthwhile. En route, you will come across several small temples and shrines dedicated to different deities. Once you reach the top, seek blessings at the Vaishnodevi Temple and pay your respects to the Divine Mother. In the evening, return to Katra and spend some time exploring the local markets.
Apart from the places listed above, you can also visit the Nau Devi Temple, which is situated around 8 km from Katra. The temple is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga and is a popular pilgrimage site. You can also take a side trip to Shiv Khori, which is a cave shrine situated around 80 km from Katra. The cave has a naturally formed lingam and is believed to be one of the most sacred sites for Lord Shiva devotees. To maximize your fun, you can try out some adventure activities like trekking, camping, and rock climbing. You can also spend some time exploring the local markets and trying out some local delicacies. Make sure to book your hotel and flight tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles. You can find the best deals on hotels and flights at https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.