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HOW TO REACH KATRA

You can consider yourself lucky and blessed if you happen to be a part of this auspicious Aarti of MaaVaishno Devi.

Attka Aarti is the aarti performed in the shrine of MaaVaishno Devi in front of the holy cave. It is believed that all the gods and goddesses are present in the Sanctum Sanctorum during the Aarti period.

The devotees of MaaVaishno Devi who book the passes for this special Atkka Aarti are made to sit in front of the main goofa (entrance), where very nice Pooja and Bhajans are sung for approximately 1.5 hours, and then you will be taken inside the main cave for Darshans. This is what you can see on the "MH One Shraddha channel" live every day.

TIMINGS OF THE AARTI

The 'Aarti' of the Goddess is performed twice a day, first in the morning just before sunrise and second in the evening immediately after sunset.
Morning: 0630 hours
Evening: 0730 hours
This time might vary slightly, depending on the time of sunrise and sunset that differs in the summer and winter seasons.

DURATION OF THE AARTI

The ‘Aarti’ is performed for approximately 3 hours. It is a long aarti as various shlokas and mantras are recited in front of the ‘pindis’ of the goddess. On auspicious days, renowned devotional singers come to the temple to sing devotional bhajans to praise and seek blessings from MaaVaishno Devi.

Some Useful Tips to book Attka Aarti:

Book for the MaaVaishno Devi Attka Aarti passes well in advance.
If you are attending the morning aarti, then it is recommended that you stay overnight a day before at the accommodation available near the MaaVaishno Devi Bhavan.
Rooms and dormitories are available. You also need to book the accommodations 60 days before. Otherwise, getting availability is very difficult as the accommodation is very limited.
If you are attending the evening Attka Aarti, then you can either come back to Katra on foot or via battery car service, or you can take the horses or paalkis. If you are traveling with kids or old people, then you can consider staying at the Bhavan for the night and taking the return helicopter ride the next day.
A new provision for the group Attka Aarti has been started. If you are a group of 3 or 4, then you can book for “Group Attka Aarti." The benefit of this booking is that you get a complimentary stay in dormitories for the night near the MaaVaishno Devi Bhavan Temple.

How is Aarti Performed at Vaishno Devi?

The Aarti procedure at the Vaishno Devi Mandir is quite lengthy. There are two locations where the holy deity receives the arti. Outside the cave, first, and then within the sanctum sanctorum. Numerous puja rites are performed before the aarti begins. Temple priests carry out a main ceremony called "AatamPujan," or self-purification. The goddess is then bathed in milk, water, honey, and ghee during Panchamrita Puja.

After that, the goddess is exquisitely attired in a saree, chola, chuni, and other items. The shlokas and mantras are recited during the entire religious ceremony. The devotees are also given a special book from which they can recite the special shalokas and bhajans, along with the pujaris present there.

Next, a sacred mark known as a tilak is applied to the goddess's forehead, and naivedya (prasad) is presented. After lighting the diya, or Jyoti, aarti is performed. Aarti is done in front of the yatris outside the cave. The pujaris thereafter provide the devotees with Charanamarit and Prasadam once the Aarti is over.

If you are lucky and happen to get the bookings for one of the days of Navratri, then it will be a sight and a memory to cherish forever. The experience of this Aarti of MaaVaishno Devi, especially during the Navratris, is super divine and unparalleled. The bhavan of MaaVaishno Devi is decorated with flowers so beautifully during this time that it will be a time that you will forever remember.

You can consider our special itinerary if you want to plan to attend this special Attka Aarti of Maa Vaishno Devi : Vaishnodevi Darshan Package with Attka Arti