One of the most well-known Hindu pilgrimage sites in India is the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, which is housed in the Trikuta Hills near Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. It is said that the Mother Goddess, also known as Mata Vaishno Devi, grants the requests of Hindu pilgrims who come from all across the world to this well-known sacred site. There are no statues here, in contrast to the majority of temples where you will discover idols. Only three naturally occurring rock formations locally called the Pindies, which represent the deity’s three forms Maha Kali, Mata Saraswati, and Maha Lakshmi, can be found at this temple.
On their pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi, devotees present the goddess the customary gifts of a red religious cloth, dry fruits, silver or gold jewellery, flowers, and much more. The best way to reach Katra for Vaishno Devi darshan is by train. You can get your train tickets booked on the redRail app for hassle free booking experience.
List of Trains to Reach Vaishno Devi
While it majorly depends on which part of the country you stay in, here is the list of some of the most popular trains that go to Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station:
- Malwa Express
- Uttar Sampark Kranti
- Shri Sampark Kranti
- Jammu Mail
- Swaraj Express
- JBP SVDK Express
- BDTS SVDK Special
- GCT SVDK Express
- Sarvodaya Express
- Hemkunt Express
- Kota SVDK Express and many more
Once you reach Katra, there are many ways to get to the temple, including electric cars, pony rides, and palkis (palanquins) driven by two or four people. Additionally, there are helicopter services available near Sanjichhat, which is around 9.5 kilometres from Katra.
Why Take a Train to Reach Vaishno Devi?
There are numerous reasons as to why you should take a train to reach Vaishno Devi, some of them are listed below:
Picturesque Views
Taking a train to Katra where Vaishno Devi Temple is located can really become an enthralling and exciting experience for you. You will be able to see the beautiful mountain views and might also witness a sunrise coming up the mountains if your train reaches early morning. The railway track to Vaishno Devi goes through a variety of aesthetic locations that will make up for a great Instagram or Snapchat story as well.
Affordable Trains
It is probably one of the most affordable methods of transportation to reach Vaishno Devi. If you purchase your ticket using the redRail app or website, you can reduce your travel costs even further. The redRail app brings you excellent offers and discounts in addition to a flawless ticket purchase experience. redRail doesn’t charge any service or payment gateway fees, which is another special benefit of using the redRail app to purchase your train ticket to Katra, Vaishno Devi. If you are from Delhi and planning to book your train to Vaishno Devi, then just put the source and destination on the redRail platform and every Delhi to Vaishno Devi train will appear on the screen.
Safety and Comfort
Katra doesn’t have an airport. Therefore, you’ll have to reach Jammu airport first and then travel to Katra, which is an unnecessary hassle. If you go by road, then it may be a problem from a safety point of view. While the conditions of roads have drastically improved, it isn’t as secure as trains. Also for long journeys, it is highly advised not to go via road as it can cause serious discomfort and fatigue as well. Therefore, the train is probably the best option to travel to Vaishno Devi. Since Katra has a railway station, you won’t have to travel by car a lot. Moreover, nowadays, trains are extremely comfortable and much better considering your security.
Conclusion
Travelling to Vaishno Devi can indeed be one of the most spiritual and elevating experiences. To make this experience smooth and calm, it is advisable to take a train journey to Vaishno Devi. A train journey is not only cost-effective but also comfortable. You can easily make train ticket bookings with the redRail app. The redRail app makes the train ticket booking process simple. Moreover, it will help you save a lot of money with the help of special discounts and offers.
One of the best parts about redRail is that it is an authorised IRCTC partner. Therefore, it is certainly reliable. Also, you get 24*7 customer support. So, if you are looking for trains to Katra, redRail is the right option for you.