Vaishno Devi timings
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board publishes no opening and closing times, because it does not close: it states that darshan is open round the clock throughout the year. What interrupts it is the aarti, held twice a day, just before sunrise and immediately after sunset. The Board says the whole procedure takes nearly two hours, during which darshan remains suspended. It does not give clock times for either aarti.
Photo: Raulcaeser, CC BY-SA 3.0
Vaishno Devi timings through the day
Best time for darshan. Because the Shrine Board keeps darshan open round the clock, the best time of day for Vaishno Devi darshan is simply outside the two aartis, which are held just before sunrise and immediately after sunset and pause darshan for nearly two hours each. Plan around the season more than the clock: the Board advises avoiding May to July and the Navratras, when waits run to 12 to 20 hours.
Full daily schedule
The Board describes the day rather than timetabling it. The aarti times are tied to sunrise and sunset, so they move through the year, and the Board publishes them that way rather than as fixed hours. They are shown here exactly as published.
| Time | What happens | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Round the clock | Darshan of the Holy Pindies, through a continuously moving queue | Public darshan |
| Just before sunrise | Morning aarti, inside the sanctum and then outside the Holy Cave. Darshan suspended for nearly two hours | Ritual |
| Immediately after sunset | Evening aarti, inside the sanctum and then outside the Holy Cave. Darshan suspended for nearly two hours | Ritual |
Vaishno Devi timings during festivals
Chaitra Navratra Spring
The Board publishes no change to darshan hours, but lists it as a peak rush period with waits of 12 to 20 hours.
Sharad (Ashwin) Navratra September to October
Named by the Board as peak rush; darshan stays round the clock, but expect long waits and possible holding at Katra.
Second half of December and New Year Late December
The Board lists this as a time that usually brings waiting at Katra, when registrations stop once capacity is reached.
How to read the Vaishno Devi schedule
Round-the-clock darshan sounds like there is nothing to plan around. In practice the aartis, the registration counters and the Board's own crowd limits are what shape the day.
No closing time Round the clock
The Board publishes no daily closure and no weekly closed day. It states darshan is open round the clock throughout the year.
The two aartis Sunrise and sunset
Darshan is suspended for nearly two hours at each aarti. The Board ties them to sunrise and sunset and gives no clock time, so they shift through the year.
Work inside the cave Maintenance
The Board states that all maintenance work required inside the cave is carried out during the aarti period only.
Darshans in a day About 30,000 to 35,000
The Board gives this as the most the mountain can take. When arrivals exceed it, pilgrims are held at Katra and no registrations are issued.
Cross Banganga in time After the card is issued
The Board's registration page states the first check post must be crossed within 6 hours, or the card is confiscated and a new one needed.
Check before you climb Yatra can be halted
The Board tells pilgrims not to proceed in adverse weather and to follow Board and District advisories, including IMD alerts.
Other hours at Vaishno Devi
Darshan does not close, but the facilities around it run on their own hours, and the registration card starts its own clock the moment it is issued.
- RFID Yatra Access CardCard confiscated if late
- Cross Banganga within 6 hours of issue
- Bhawan to Bhairon ji ropewayOperating hours stated by the Board
- 09:00 – 17:00
- Free langar at Tarakote, Sanjhichhat and Bhairon jiRun by the Shrine Board
- Round the clock
- Cloak rooms at BhawanFree of cost
- At least two, round the clock
Not verified yet 4 items no official source publishes
- The clock times of the morning and evening aartis. The Board publishes them only as just before sunrise and immediately after sunset.
- Queue and waiting times. The Board mentions waits of 12 to 20 hours in peak periods but publishes no current figure.
- Registration counter hours at Katra.
- Festival day arrangements during the Navratras and around New Year, when the Board reports peak rush.
Know one of these from an official notice? Send it to us and the page is updated with a new date.
What people ask about the schedule
Answered from the published schedule, and marked unverified where it is.
What time does Vaishno Devi open?
It does not close. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board states that darshan is open round the clock throughout the year, through a continuously moving queue.
Where do these timings come from?
From the Shrine Board's own pages on maavaishnodevi.org, read on the date shown under the table. Nothing here is taken from a travel site.
When is the aarti at Vaishno Devi?
Twice a day: once in the morning just before sunrise and once in the evening immediately after sunset. The Board publishes no clock times, so the aartis move with the seasons.
Is darshan stopped during aarti?
Yes. The Board states the aarti procedure takes nearly two hours and darshan remains suspended during that time. Maintenance work inside the cave is also done then.
Can I watch the aarti?
After the aarti inside the sanctum, the thaal is brought to the mouth of the Holy Cave and the aarti is performed in the presence of pilgrims seated outside. The Board also lists Attka Aarti as a bookable service. Booking terms have not been verified here.
Is there a weekly closed day?
No. The Board states darshan is open round the clock throughout the year, which leaves no closed day.
Is Vaishno Devi open in winter?
Yes. The Board says the yatra is open throughout the year and that the original Holy Cave is also open for darshan in winter. December and January can bring snowfall.
When is it least crowded?
The Board names May, June and July, the Chaitra and Sharad Navratras and New Year as peak rush, with waits of 12 to 20 hours, and suggests the monsoon and winter as better times to go.
What are the ropeway timings?
The Board states the aerial ropeway from Bhawan to Bhairon ji mandir operates from 9 am to 5 pm.
How long do I have after getting the RFID card?
The Board's registration page gives 6 hours to cross the Banganga check post. A reported newer rule of 10 hours to start and 24 hours to finish has not been verified on an official page here.
Can the yatra be stopped?
Yes. The Board's guidelines state that no pilgrim shall proceed during adverse weather, and that travel should be rescheduled on IMD or District Administration alerts for heavy rain, cloudburst or landslides.
What should I check before travelling?
Whether the yatra is running and whether there is waiting at Katra. The Board advises checking its website and its X account, @OfficialSMVDSB, before setting out.
Back to the whole temple
The dress code, the entry rules and everything else about Vaishno Devi that has been verified against a published source.