Vaishno Devi · all twelve months
The holy shrine in the Trikuta Mountains is open 365 days a year. Darshan wait times, temperatures, and helicopter flights change by season.
Best months
February, September, October, November
Months covered
12
Verified
2026-08-31
Written in
Srinagar
The short answer
February–March and September–November are the most comfortable. Navratri and New Year have 12+ hour wait times.
The most comfortable months for the 12 km trek from Katra to the Holy Bhawan are February to March and September to November (outside the Navratri windows), when daytime walking temperatures are pleasant. Navratri (Chaitra in spring and Sharad in autumn) and late December see peak crowds with darshan queues extending beyond 12 hours.
Written by Tariq Ahmad, Head of Operations, Srinagar · last verified
At a glance
| Month | Verdict | Day temp | Snow | Price | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 12 to 18°C | Rare snow flurries at Bhawan/Bhairon temple (1,900 m) | Mid (High in 1st week) | Quiet after New Year rush |
| February | Best | 15 to 22°C | None | Low-Mid | Low — fastest darshan |
| March | Good | 20 to 28°C | None | Mid (High during Chaitra Navratri) | Moderate; heavy during Navratri |
| April | Good | 25 to 34°C | None | Mid-High | High during Navratri |
| May | Mixed | 30 to 39°C | None | High | Heavy family rush |
| June | Mixed | 32 to 41°C | None | High | Peak summer vacation rush |
| July | Mixed | 28 to 35°C | None | Mid | Moderate |
| August | Mixed | 27 to 34°C | None | Mid | Moderate |
| September | Best | 25 to 32°C | None | Mid | Moderate; surges if Navratri begins |
| October | Best | 20 to 28°C | None | High during Sharad Navratri | Extremely heavy during Navratri |
| November | Best | 16 to 23°C | None | Low-Mid | Quiet and peaceful |
| December | Good | 13 to 19°C | Occasional light flurries at Bhairon Ghati | High in last week | Heavy for New Year celebrations |
January offers cool, crisp weather for walking up the track. Once the New Year crowd disperses, darshan is fast and peaceful. Bhawan nights are sharply cold.
February is one of the best months for a hassle-free pilgrimage. Weather is temperate for the 12 km climb and darshan waiting times rarely exceed 1 to 2 hours.
March brings pleasant spring weather. The Trikuta hills are lush and green. If Chaitra Navratri falls in March, expect heavily crowded tracks and festival decorations.
April is warm at Katra base, but the climb becomes pleasant as you gain altitude. Helicopter services operate smoothly under clear skies.
May is very hot at Katra during the day (often touching 38°C). Most pilgrims start their trek in the evening or night to climb comfortably under lit pathways.
June is the hottest month at Katra. Night treks are strongly recommended. Advance booking of Shrine Board guest houses and helicopter slots is mandatory.
July brings the monsoon to the Trikuta hills. Lush green scenery, but heavy rain showers can cause track slippage and temporary helicopter suspensions.
August has beautiful cloud-draped mountain views and flowing natural streams along the track. Rains taper off by late August.
September offers clear weather and refreshing breezes. The best month for an unhurried, peaceful pilgrimage with short queues.
October is the grand festival season. During Sharad Navratri, the entire Bhawan and track are decorated with floral displays and live lighting. If travelling outside Navratri, it is pristine.
November is crisp, cool, and spiritually peaceful. Darshan lines are short, making it our top recommendation for elderly pilgrims.
December offers cold, brisk walking weather. The final week of December sees a massive influx of New Year pilgrims.
Common questions
February, March, and November are the best months — weather is cool and mild, and darshan queues are under 2 hours.
Helicopter tickets (Katra to Sanjichhat) must be booked strictly through the official Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) website 60 days in advance.
The 12 km trek via the new Tarakote Marg takes approximately 4 to 6 hours on foot, or 45 minutes by battery car/pony.
Yes! Our 7-night Vaishno Devi + Kashmir package combines 2 nights in Katra with 5 nights exploring Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam via the new rail connection.
Matched to the season
Darshan first, then the valley. One flight, two very different journeys — and the combo most of our pilgrimage guests wish they'd known about earlier.
From
₹31,500
per person
Still deciding
If the month you have leave for is the wrong one for the trip you are picturing, we would rather say so now than take the booking and let you find out.