The Vaishno Devi Yatra begins at Katra. The distance from here to the Darbar is 13 km and should be covered by foot. On the way, at a distance of 1 km from Katra is Banganga where Mata drew out water by piercing an arrow into the ground. 6 km away lies the holy cave at Adhkawari.

Everyday of the year a mass of humanity surges up steep pathways that cut across the hillside for mile after mile. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail to her abode to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. There are many who journey here year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion, for Mata Vaishno Devi transcends all such barriers.