Neil Island, Andaman

Monday 5 June 2000

Vaishno Devi

  • Plan for two days. Trains go up to Katra from where it is a 6 hour trek most of which is moderate gradient. Eat light before you start your trek.
  • There are plenty of accommodation options at the top. Stay, refresh yourself and then go for the holy place. Expect a couple hour queue during peak season, thats May-June.
  • Eat Rajma Rice. Take a nap. Start early morning for Bhaironath which is an hour uphill, then the trek goes down all the way back to Katra. 
I have been to Vaishno Devi couple of times. It has lately become more of a picnic-trek rather a religious trip, thanks to the cash rich Vaishno Devi Trust which has created kiosks all the way to the top. The trek takes around 6 hours from Katra. In peak season, more than 30,000 visit everyday so crowd is a given. One thing is sure when you plan this - the more the merrier.

Me @ Vaishno Devi