The Bulava finally came after years of intending to pay respects at Vaishno Devi. It indeed was a divine experience and I want to share the same with my freinds, as it may help those who may be visiting for the first time.
 
Vaishno Devi is located 13 km from a place called Katra. Katra itself is 42 km from Jammu. For those who are coming from far, direct trains to Jammu are available from most locations. Otherwise one can catch a flight to Delhi and then go either by bus right upto Katra. A lot of Shradhalu who visit Ma's abode come from distant places all over the world.The bus experience should be good since every one sings Bhajan's enroute.

Aim to reach Katra by 2100 hrs so that you can have dinner and then freshen up before starting at 2300 hrs for most of us who take six hours for the climb. Being pysically fit, I did it in just over three and half hours. So if you exercise daily, then you could start latest by 0100 hrs. Why these timings are important are for two reasons. Firstly, nearly 50,000 to 75,000 devotees come every day and secondly the entrance closes by 0515 hours since the Aarti and Puja starts at 0600 hrs. If you have not attended these ceremonies, then you may get precisely 30 seconds darshan in the Gufa of Ma due to long queues.

From Katra to Vaishno Devi you can walk and like I indicated earlier better to start by 2300 hrs so that you can rest enroute. If you want to hire mules/ horses or carriers to lift you manually on palnas, they too are available. The horses take nearly two and a half hours and the cost each side is Rs 280/. Also, you can take it for half way at Rs 140/ and walk the rest. You could even go by helicopter (Deccan Aviation), that would cost you Rs 1600/ each way. But then you lose all the fun of chanting Jai Mata Di all the way. Zor se bolo "Jai Mata Di, Dhyan se bolo Jai Mata Di, Pyar se bolo......Jai Mata Di". Do not forget to pick up your entrance ticket at the starting check point at the commencement of the climb. Otherwise, they would not let you enter the Bhawan on top.

There would be places when the climb really becomes steep, so they have now constructed another road which is one km less. But whilst going, I would recommend go through the older route, it really tests your endurance and makes the effort of going totally Divine. Whilst walking be careful, the path is slippery at places, especially at steep bends and also watch out for the mules/ horses thundering down. Walking the whole night is an expreience of the spiritual kind.

After reaching the top, quickly get on with the line at entrance Gate 8. There are lockers there and you can keep your valuables, leather items and purses/mobiles in that. The lock is avialable and you can retain the key. They do not permit to carry any thing inside the Bhawan.Once the entrance gate opens at 0515 hours, be quick to get inside despite the line lest you get left off as the seating capacity on ground is only 70-80 people in front of the Gufa for Puja.The Puja starts at 0600 hrs, followed by Bhajans and Aarti by the Pujari.One just gets into the rhythm soon as the hyms start.

After Aarti, go through the Gufa and now the other line also joins up that could not attend the Puja. Therefore you get only thirty seconds in front of Bhawati Ma's murti. And you would have to be quick to pray and absorb the divine face.It is said that Ma fulfils the wishes of all her Bhakts. After coming out of Gufa, sprinkle the holy water on your face and head and then dont forget to collect the dry Prasad and a holy coin at the exit gate. Walk down is easier but by now the hill climbing and descent efforts start showing. Therefore, a number of Shradhalu's take an auto rickshaw down. Dont do that, you would lose all the charm of going to Vaishno Devi, unless you are really tired.

I hope, you do get motivated to visit Vaishno Devi. I can assure you, it is an experience of life time, which no one can forget easily, besides the holy blessings that Bhagwati Ma gives to her disciples. Jai Mata Di and have a holy experience.