Travelling to Vaishno Devi? New Year rush brings tighter rules and timelines – full guide

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With a massive surge in pilgrims during the New Year period, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has introduced stricter rules for the yatra to ensure safety and better crowd management. The revised guidelines focus on controlling overcrowding near the Bhawan, streamlining movement on the track, and improving emergency response during peak days.

Under the updated rules, devotees must begin their yatra within 10 hours of receiving the RFID travel card. After completing darshan, pilgrims are required to return to the Katra base camp within 24 hours. These rules have come into effect immediately.

Earlier, there were no strict timelines for starting the yatra after registration or for returning after darshan. Many pilgrims stayed near the Bhawan for several days, especially during festivals and holidays, leading to heavy congestion and safety concerns on the narrow mountain track.

The Shrine Board said the new time limits are meant to discourage prolonged stays and ensure a steady flow of pilgrims.

The trek from Katra to the Bhawan is about 13 km and can be completed through multiple modes of transport. Pilgrims can walk, use horse or pitthu services, travel in battery-operated vehicles, or opt for helicopter services.

On foot, the uphill journey usually takes six to eight hours, with a similar time needed for the descent. The full round trip can take between 12 and 24 hours. Helicopter travel, including waiting time, typically takes four to six hours. Darshan waiting time varies from two to six hours and may be longer during peak crowds.

Under normal conditions, the entire pilgrimage takes 24 to 36 hours, but during the New Year rush, it can extend to nearly 48 hours.

Katra, the base camp for the yatra, is well connected by road, rail and air. Jammu Tawi railway station is the nearest major railhead, located about 50 km away. Regular buses and taxis operate between Jammu and Katra.

Jammu airport is around 70 km from Katra, while Srinagar airport is about 200 km away. From Katra, pilgrims can continue to the Bhawan on foot or by using authorised transport services.

Online registration is mandatory for all pilgrims and must be completed through the Shrine Board’s official website. To help devotees, the registration counter at Katra railway station has been kept open until midnight.

The Shrine Board said the new rules will make the yatra safer and more organised. Limiting stay duration will reduce congestion, allow faster response during medical emergencies or bad weather, and lower health risks caused by prolonged exposure to cold conditions.

Officials added that the measures will especially benefit elderly pilgrims, women and children, while also helping reduce darshan waiting times during the busy New Year period.