Mata Vaishno Devi temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in India. It attracts millions of pilgrims from all around the world, especially older individuals. They want to undertake the Vaishno Devi Yatra for spiritual significance and the belief that it brings solace. But when someone plans the Vaishno Devi Yatra with elderly parents or senior citizens, meticulous planning is required. You will have to be careful while planning the trip, considering all the essential elements to make the pilgrimage easy and comfortable.
If this year, you have finally got “Maa ka Bulava” and you want to take your elderly parents along with you, then this blog will be helpful for you. We have mentioned all the details of planning your Vaishano Devi Yatra with elderly parents to make the yatra easier for you all. Which Vaishno Devi Yatra tour package will be the best for you, how you will undertake the trek, and what important things to consider before choosing a package and undertaking the trek, everything is discussed in the blog.
You need the comprehensive Vaishno Devi Yatra Guide when visiting the temple for the first time. But you even need a guide when traveling with your parents or grandparents. Careful planning is required for an easy and comfortable experience. So, we are here with a Vaishno Devi Yatra guide for senior citizens. This will help you plan your trip for your elderly parents easily.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is the holiest and the second most visited pilgrimage destination in India. The Vaishno Devi cave is situated at the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Vaishno. The deity in the cave is worshipped in her natural rock form (Pindis) in her three forms—Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali, and Maha Saraswati. Pilgrims trek to reach the Mata Vaishno Devi cave. The trek route is a 15 km stretch with a good ascent. Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims where they start the trek. This journey involves trekking through steep and hilly terrains, which is challenging for elderly people to complete. But the belief that visiting the Vaishno Devi temple brings solace and fulfills desires is a motivation for many senior citizens. We have designed this travel guide to help you carefully plan the Vaishno Devi Yatra with elderly parents and simplify the experience.
The first and foremost thing to undertake the Vaishno Devi Yatra is to get a Yatra Slip or Yatra Parchi. You must get registered for the Yatra, which you can do after reaching Katra. Complete the yatra registration process at the Yatra Registration Center near the bus stand in Katra. The process is quite simple. Just stand in a queue, provide your information such as your name and address. You will get a slip/entry pass with your name. Keep this slip with you throughout the trek, as you will have to show it at a few checkpoints.
Vaishno Devi tour by Helicopter is the most convenient way to let your parents embark on this spiritual journey. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board offers this convenient helicopter booking service from Katra to Sanjichhat, which is only 2.5 km away from the main bhawan. Both the options of one-way and round-trip tickets are available. The journey starts from the Katra Helipad, located in Udhampur, just 2 km from the Katra bus stand. The service starts at 8:30 AM, and it takes only 8 minutes to reach from Katra to Sanjhichatt Helipad. 5-6 passengers can be accommodated at a time.
Once you reach Sanjichhat, you will have to trek to the Bhawan. Or, ponies are also available from Sanjichhat to Bhawan. If you have not booked the round-trip tickets, you can book palanquins or ponies to descend from Bhawan to Katra via the Baharon Nath Temple.
The tickets can be booked online and offline, but to avoid the crowd and long queues, book the tickets in advance. You must have the ticket printout and a valid ID proof with you.
Apart from a helicopter ride, you get the option of ponies and palkis (palanquins) for the Vaishno Devi Yatra. Most elderly people with mobility issues, breathing problems, or other health issues cannot trek to the Bhawan. At a certain point, Palki is the best option. It is the most traditional way to ascend the hill to reach Vaishno Devi Gufa, used for elderly people who cannot walk properly. It is a covered chair on a pole carried by four porters. This service is available from Banganga to the main Bhawan, or you will even get the option in the middle of the trek, like Banganga to Ardhkuwari, Ardhkuwari to Sanjhichatt, Ardhkuwari to the Bhawan, or Sanjhichatt to Bhawan.
Besides, you get the option of ponies also. Ponies are available throughout the trek and are a comfortable way to ascend the hill. However, this may not be a suitable option for an elder person. Depending on the well-being of your parents, you can opt for ponies. They are even available for descent from Bhawan to Katra via the Bhairon Nath Temple. You cannot book them online, but you will have to negotiate with porters offline. Always check the price on the signboards installed on the track by the shrine board.
The Vaishno Devi trek on hilly terrains is quite challenging for pilgrims, especially the elderly ones. However, the recent development has made trekking easier for senior citizens also. One of these recent developments is the Vaishno Devi Battery Rickshaw service. People with mobility issues, who cannot undertake this arduous trek on foot, can book battery rickshaw services in the Vaishno Devi Temple. This ride is comfortable and affordable. Most importantly, it is environment-friendly. So, when you plan the Vaishno Devi Yatra with elderly parents, opt for battery car rickshaw services.
Battery rickshaws operate daily from Ardhkuwari to the Main Bhawan from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This covers a 5.5 km stretch, making the journey convenient and easier for pilgrims. To avoid long queues, book a battery car or rickshaw online in advance through the official website of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. For offline booking, there are many counters where you get tickets for battery rickshaw, primarily at Ardhkuwari and Sanjichhat.
We saw the different modes for the Vaishno Devi Yatra. However, some people still decide to ascend the hill on foot. If you also want to trek on foot, then you should consider the new Tarakote route to reach the Bhawan. This is a recently inaugurated, scenic, and spacious route that is best for families with elderly people and kids to ascend the hill. This track is less crowded with no battery rickshaws and ponies, making it a comfortable experience for elderly individuals and kids.
In our Vaishno Devi travel guide, you get comprehensive information on completing the yatra. Bhairon Nath Temple is an eminent part of the Vaishno Devi Trek. It is said that Mata Vaishno has given a Vardan to Bhairon Nath that all the devotees must visit him after visiting the Mata Vaishno Temple, only then their Yatra will be a success. So, your yatra will not be completed without visiting this shrine, located on the nearby hilltop. This temple is dedicated to Bhairav Nath, the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Though the Bhairon Nath temple is only 1.5 km from the Bhawan but the ascent is very steep, making it a challenging trek for elderly individuals. When embarking on the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra with parents and grandparents, consider booking palanquins for the complete trek or use the cable cars available from Bhawan to Bhairon Nath Temple.
A ropeway or cable car facility is available from Bhawan to Bhairon Nath Temple. The cable car operates between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. If you're doing the trek at night, then this facility will not be available, so plan accordingly.
When you plan the Vaishno Devi tour with Parents or Grandparents, it is important to prioritize their comfort and safety. You must plan the trip considering your parents’ well-being and their pace, along with the available transportation, accommodation. Here are some tips that will help you plan this spiritual yatra with your elderly parents.
The train route is the most convenient way to reach Katra, especially when you are travelling with senior citizens. You get direct trains to Katra from major Indian cities. Some trains culminate in Jammu. From there, you can take a cab to reach Katra. Book your train to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station in advance as the comfortable coaches get filled immediately. Booking Tatkal tickets or Waiting-tickets can make the journey hectic for your parents.
You are traveling with your elderly parents, so your priority should be their comfort. You get several hotels available in Katra suitable for every budget. However, you must consider booking a room or a dormitory in the Vaishno Devi Bhawan. To get rooms, you will have to book well in advance. The rooms in the Bhawan get sold out soon, at least 60 days in advance. Accommodations are available at Adkuwari, Sanjhichatt, and the main Bhawan. The booking is possible in both online and offline modes. However, the rooms and beds get booked at least 60 days in advance, so book in advance.
One of the best ways to plan the Vaishno Devi Yatra with elderly parents is to book a tour package from a reliable travel agent. Yes, there are senior citizen Vaishno Devi tour packages available that can be customized as per your needs. Such packages are designed to provide comfort and safety to senior citizens. Using transportation like pony or helicopter rides, the package focused on the comfort of elderly people. If your budget allows, you should book a Vaishno Devi tour package.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra with elderly parents can be challenging and physically demanding. If you choose an off-season to travel, you will get fewer crowds compared to the peak season. This will allow you ample space to trek freely and avoid long queues for the darshan. Also, you will find pleasant weather.
You will need many things before, during, and after the trek for your parents. So, you must carry all the essentials, considering your parents’ well-being. You must carry a first-aid box, water bottles, snacks, and warm clothes. Carry comfortable shoes, especially for your parents. Along with this, you must pack the medications your parents consume daily and some extra for any illness and health issues like stomach ache, headache, vomiting, etc.
We have seen the important things you must do before the trek. Now, here are some essential tips that you must consider during the trek to make the yatra a success.
If you have never visited this sacred pilgrimage before, we must tell you that the ascent to the hill is quite steep. Your elderly parents may face difficulties during the trek. The trek is quite challenging for them, but if they still choose to trek, respect their pace and consider their well-being. Make sure they are not tired or facing any breathing issues. Hold their hands and match their speed.
There’s no rush to ascend the hill. Take your time and allow your parents plenty of time to relax. The trek can be extremely physically challenging for elderly pilgrims. Rest stops and taking breaks allow them to breathe properly and relax.
Always have a water bottle with you throughout the trek and take multiple breaks to drink water. Keeping yourself hydrated is very important during the trek.
The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage with elderly parents is challenging, but with careful planning and preparations, you will still be able to manage it. With the right packing checklist in place, you will have the best and memorable Vaishno Devi Yatra with your elderly parents. Besides, the recent route developments and the transportation services, like helicopters, ponies, and battery rickshaws, have made the yatra more accessible and easier for pilgrims, especially the elderly ones. We can see that with the advancement of services and facilities, the pilgrims in the future will certainly have the best experience, especially with customized Vaishno Devi tour packages.