Tucked into the three-peaked mountains named Trikuta hills, Vaishno Devi Temple is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. Situated at the staggering height of 5200 feet, Vaishno Devi temple is one of 108 Shakti Peetha and the holiest pilgrimage site among Hindus. Tourists from all over the country come here to worship Goddess Vaishno Mata the incarnation of Goddess Durga. Vaishno Mata resides in a cave and to reach up there you need to take a 13 KM trek from Katra. The Yatra is open throughout the year but the best time to visit Vaishno Devi depends on the many factors which we’re going to discuss in detail –
Best Time to Visit Vaishno Devi Temple
The best time to visit Vaishno Devi is from March to October. However, the Vaishno Devi yatra continues throughout the year but each season has its own pros and cons. From March to April and August to October you can expect heavy crowds due to pleasant weather. And from January to February and June to July the crowd is low due to extreme weather conditions. So, before choosing the best time to visit Vaishno Devi lets discuss each season in detail
Vaishno Devi In Winter (December to February)
During winter you can expect the low temperature and heavy snowfall at Vaishno Devi Temple. Due to its higher altitude, Vaishno Devi gets heavy snowfall and the weather here is characterized by a sub-zero level temperature. Despite extreme weather conditions, the Vaishno Devi yatra gives you a magical experience in this season. Trekking through the white layer of snow to the holy cave will be an amazing experience
Due to the low temperature and heavy snowfall you can expect low crowds. So, this is the perfect time to visit Vaishno Devi for peace seekers. If you’re physically fit and don’t have any medical problems then this is the ideal time to Vaishno Devi temple.
Vaishno Devi In Summer (March to June)
Summer is the peak time to visit Vaishno Devi. Just after the extreme winter when the weather becomes pleasant then pilgrims start visiting Vaishno Devi. So, you can expect heavy rush and long queue in March & April. The days are quite hot but the evening is cool enough to wear light woolens. So, it’s good to carry light woolen. Due to hot days, you can expect a low crowd in June & July. Overall, this is a good time for Darshan.
Vaishno Devi in Monsoon (July to September)
The monsoon season is the best period for planning Vaishno Devi Yatra. During this time, nature is at its peak with lush green surroundings, stunning waterfalls and beautiful mountain surroundings. For nature and adventure lovers, the monsoon season is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi temple.
During this time, get ready to face heavy to medium rainfall and also be aware of mudslides. The Monsoon season is best for budget travelers. As it is an off-season sp you will get a good discount on flight tickets and hotel booking.
Vaishno Devi in Autumn (October to November)
Due to the Navratri & Diwali festival, this is the peak season in Vaishno Devi. While trekking you can regularly hear the chants of Jai Mata di. In this season you will see a lot of enthusiasm in devotes that creates an amazing atmosphere for Yatra. You can expect the long queues at the door of the main temple and the wait can be 10 hours long.
Best way to Plan Vaishno Devi Yatra:
The best way to plan a Vaishno Devi yatra is to log into the official website and check out the pattern of pilgrims visiting per day. If the number is less than 15,000 to 18,000 then you expect a comfortable trip and satisfying darshan of Vaishno Mata.
Packing Tips:
- Heavy woolen during winter time. And light woolen for the rest of the year.
- Blankets are available free of cost so you don’t need to carry them.
- Canvas shoes for comfortable trekking.
- A walking stick is helpful for those who are going on foot.
- Umbrella and raincoats are advisable during the monsoon period.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which month there is snowfall in Vaishno Devi?
December to February when the temperature goes down to -5 deg celsius. It is the least advisable season to visit Vaishno Devi if you don’t have physical fitness.
How long is the Vaishno Devi trek?
The Vaishno Devi temple is situated in Trikuta Mountain at a height of 5200 ft which can be reached by foot after a 13 KM trek journey from Katra.
How many days are enough for Vaishno Devi?
If you’re one of them who is going for only devotional purposes then 2 days would be enough and if you want to enjoy the surrounding beauty then plan a 2 night and 3 days trip to Vaishno Devi.
How much time does take for a helicopter ride?
You can take a helicopter from Katra helipad which is at Udhampur road, 2 km from the bus stand. The helicopter ride from Katra to Sanjhichatt takes around 8 minutes. From Sanjhichatt it is 2.5 KM hike to reach the Vaishno Devi Bhawan which can be done by ponies, palkis and porter. The one-way helicopter ticket fare is 1830 per person and the two-way fare is 3660 per person.