7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Maa Vaishno Devi Temple, Charan Paduka, Ban Ganga

1. Day 1: Maa Vaishno Devi Temple
   5-minute walk from Katra Bus Stand

   In the morning, head to the Maa Vaishno Devi Temple for darshan and seek blessings. In the afternoon, enjoy a refreshing lunch at one of the local restaurants and explore the nearby markets. In the evening, participate in the aarti ceremony at the temple.

2. Day 2: Bhairavnath Temple and Ardh Kuwari Cave
   2.5 km from Maa Vaishno Devi Temple

   In the morning, trek to the Bhairavnath Temple and enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountains. In the afternoon, visit the Ardh Kuwari Cave, a holy site where Mata Vaishno Devi meditated for nine months. In the evening, return to the Maa Vaishno Devi Temple for another aarti ceremony.

3. Day 3: Sanjichhat and Bhawan
   5.5 km from Bhairavnath Temple

   In the morning, take a helicopter ride to Sanjichhat and enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains. In the afternoon, trek to the Bhawan, the holy abode of Mata Vaishno Devi. In the evening, return to your hotel and relax.

4. Day 4: Charan Paduka and Adkuwari Temple
   3 km from Bhawan

   In the morning, trek to Charan Paduka, a holy site where Mata Vaishno Devi rested and left her footprints. In the afternoon, visit the Adkuwari Temple, another holy site where Mata Vaishno Devi meditated for a short period. In the evening, return to your hotel and enjoy a soothing massage.

5. Day 5: Ban Ganga
   3.5 km from Adkuwari Temple

   In the morning, visit the Ban Ganga, a sacred river where Mata Vaishno Devi quenched her thirst. Take a dip in the river and offer prayers. In the afternoon, explore the local markets and indulge in some shopping. In the evening, return to your hotel and relax.

6. Day 6: Nau Devi Temple and Baba Dhansar
   19 km from Ban Ganga

   In the morning, visit the Nau Devi Temple, a shrine dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In the afternoon, visit Baba Dhansar, a scenic waterfall and a holy site where Baba Dhansar meditated. In the evening, return to your hotel and enjoy a traditional dinner.

7. Day 7: Shiv Khori and departure
   75 km from Katra

   In the morning, visit Shiv Khori, a cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the afternoon, return to Katra and have a farewell lunch before departing for your next destination.

Recommendations

You may also consider visiting the Patnitop hill station, the Vaishno Devi Museum, and the Jhajjar Kotli park. To maximize your fun, you can try local delicacies like rajma chawal, khatta meat, and kahwah tea. You can also take a day trip to the nearby city of Jammu and explore the historic Mubarak Mandi Palace and the Raghunath Bazaar. Don't forget to carry warm clothes and comfortable shoes.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Maa Vaishno Devi Temple (2-3 hrs, free)
• Bhairavnath Temple (2 hrs, free)
• Ardh Kuwari Cave (2-3 hrs, free)
• Sanjichhat (1-2 hrs, INR 1,000-2,000 per person)
• Bhawan (3-4 hrs, free)
• Charan Paduka (1-2 hrs, free)
• Adkuwari Temple (2-3 hrs, free)
• Ban Ganga (1-2 hrs, free)
• Nau Devi Temple (2-3 hrs, free)
• Baba Dhansar (2-3 hrs, free)
• Shiv Khori (2-3 hrs, INR 100-200 per person)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 1,000-2,000 per person (excluding accommodation and transportation)