Free Facilities
Vaishno Devi is the humble abode of the Divine Goddess, and while you are visiting the place for your pilgrimage, there are certain free facilities that you can benefit from. Several halls have been provided at Sanjichhat, Adhkuwari, and Bhawan for the convenience of devotees where pilgrims can take rest before proceeding further in their holy yatra. Though the halls are available free of cost, their availability is subject to the first come, first served basis rule. Yatris or the pilgrims can also spend the night in these halls where toilet facilities have also been made available.
When the number of devotees flocking into Vaishno Devi rises exponentially, the Niharika Complex in Katra also provides free accommodation to the devotees. There are also accommodation sheds in the vicinity of the New Bus Stand where blankets are also provided free of cost. To book your accommodation here make sure to visit the Yatra Parchi Counter II or YRC-II near Bus Stand No. II. There are also free accommodations along the holy track where the pilgrims can take a break. And in case if you fail to get any accommodation at the above-mentioned sources, there are other accommodation facilities at well in various dharmshalas in Katra. They provide reasonably good accommodation to the pilgrims at a nominal price or free of cost.
Besides accommodation, there is the provision of free Prasad sewa as well for the pilgrims. The Prasad Sewa procedure was started by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at Sanjichhat for the devotees who embark on a tiresome trek. The facility is open 24×7 and the location of the site is in the midway of Ardhkuwari and Bhawan. Yatris, who use the old track for darshan can have Prasad items like Chana Prasad, halwa, and tea here free of cost. The Prasad Complex serves nearly 6000 pilgrims daily, and it is open to the pilgrims throughout the year.
There are also free cloakroom facilities at the main Bhawan complex where the devotees can deposit their valuables before proceeding to the Darshans. As electronic items, leather belts, purses, etc. aren’t allowed inside, yatris mostly keep them here and all the cloakroom facilities are absolutely free, so you don’t need to pay a penny!