Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
Statutory board · Katra, Reasi district
The Shrine Board took over the Vaishno Devi shrine in 1986 from the earlier Dharmarth Trust and the hereditary Baridars, whose rights the 1988 Act extinguished. Its jurisdiction runs from the Katra base camp up the roughly 14 km track to the Holy Cave (Bhawan) and the adjoining hills, including Ardhkuwari and the Bhairon Ji temple. It runs the track, tunnels to the cave, accommodation, free langars, medical posts, the Bhawan–Bhairon ropeway and helicopter services. The Board also built the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Kakryal and funded Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra. Shiv Khori, though also in Reasi district, has its own separate shrine board.
How it is run
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir is ex officio Chairman of a board of up to ten members; a Chief Executive Officer (not below District Magistrate rank) runs day-to-day administration.
Tips for pilgrims
- Register for the yatra (online or at the Katra registration counters) and collect the RFID Yatra Access Card before you start walking.
- Since December 2025 the Board requires you to start the climb within 12 hours of getting the RFID card and finish the round trip to Katra within 24 hours.
- Book helicopter, battery car, rooms and Atka Aarti only on online.maavaishnodevi.org; slots sell out in peak season.
- Toll-free helpline: 1800-180-7212.
Temples it runs
- Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan (Holy Cave) – Trikuta hills above Katra
- Ardhkuwari (Garbh Joon cave) – Midway on the Katra–Bhawan track
- Bhairon Ji Temple – Bhairon Ghati, above Bhawan