Katra

"Around 50 km, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road. Katra also has its own railway station (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra), with direct trains from Delhi and other major cities, which many pilgrims prefer over routing through Jammu. Jammu airport is the nearest airport."

"The trek from Katra to the Bhawan is approximately 13 km and typically takes four to seven hours on foot, depending on pace and crowds. Ponies, palkis and battery-operated vehicles are available for parts of the route. Helicopter services run between Katra and Sanjichhat, substantially shortening the journey. See our Vaishno Devi page for current yatra procedure and registration requirements."

"Katra has accommodation across the full range, from dharamshalas and budget guesthouses to mid-range and premium hotels, most clustered within walking distance of the yatra starting point and the bus stand. Staying close to the base saves a genuinely useful amount of time on an early-morning start. Book well ahead during Navratri and peak summer."

"Shiv Khori cave shrine is around 80 km away and often combined with the Vaishno Devi yatra as a two-shrine itinerary. Bhairo Baba Temple sits above the Bhawan and is traditionally visited after the main darshan. Patnitop, Sanasar and the Jammu city temples are all within comfortable reach for a longer trip."

"March to April and September to October offer the most comfortable trekking weather. Summer is hot at the base though cooler on the upper route. Navratri, in spring and autumn, is spiritually significant but extremely crowded, with long queues and accommodation booked far in advance - plan well ahead or avoid it if crowds concern you."