Tips for NRIs Travelling
Ensuring an Unforgettable Vaishno Devi Yatra for NRIs
It is a popular belief that it’s the spiritual calling of the divine that allows you to experience the mystical magnificence of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. ‘Mata ka bulaava’ as it is called, transcends all the usual human peripheries urging one to revisit their roots and embrace the call of the holy. Among the lakhs of pilgrims that visit the temple atop Trikuta Mountains in Jammu, a significant percentage belongs to the NRI community, spread across the world. Visiting Mata presents a great opportunity for them to not just get her eternal blessings, but also to revel in the captivating natural aura of the place while rediscovering one’s origins, one’s motherland.
However, a first-time visitor might feel jitters of the journey and miss out on some of the essential arrangements that are prerequisites of the Yatra. Therefore, to spare you of the dilemma, we are here with some helpful tips for NRIs planning to visit the Vaishno Devi Temple.
Preferable Time of the Year for Yatra
The perfect weather makes the journey more comfortable and enjoyable, especially if you plan to trek your way to the temple. Summers are the best time, owing to amicable temperature. However, one should avoid days of festivals, vacation season, and likewise, as the crowd tend to be more at such times.The festival season of Chaitra (Spring), Sharad-Ashwin (Autumn), and Navratras attract the maximum number of devotees. Similar rush can be seen during the New Year and summer vacation months. Hence, it is best to avoid those days.
Register your Yatra
The route is pretty simple. You can either take a flight to Jammu or board a train. Once there, you can either reach Katra by road in a private car or bus, or you can travel by trains. The first thing that you do after reaching Katra is to register your Yatra and shrine visit. It is conducted by the Yatri Registration Counter near the Katra bus stand.
Attire to Pack
Before packing it is recommended that you check the prevailing temperatures in the area and the predictions on the days of your stay. The data is easily available online for your perusal. Carrying and wearing comfortable footwear preferably sports shoes are advisable, since the place has rough terrain. It is unwise to carry or wear too much jewelery and valuables. Additionally, it is advised that one should not wear revealing or loud dresses to respect the sanctity of the shrine. If you have any medical problems, get a check-up before travelling.
Trek, Ride, or Fly
There are three ways that you can reach the temple, which is situated at a 5200 feet altitude. You can trek 13 km from Katra. The road is well paved, without any bumps and craters, and makes for an easy climb. There are doli, pony, and palanquin rides up to the temple and down if you are not keen on trekking. The fastest and most comfortable mode of transport is flying in a helicopter. Do check out the prices for the same. These are the basic requisites of Vaishno Devi Yatra, which you need to be well-acquainted with before traveling from a foreign country.