I have been to Vaishno Devi 13-14 times in last 20 years. I am again planning to visit the temple. The yatra starts from Katra so when I reached Katra last year on 20th November, the weather was amazing. We started around 10 AM from Katra to Ardh Kumari by foot. The journey was no doubt tiring but the experience I got was overwhelming. You are never alone during the yatra from katra to Vaishno Devi. Even though you start alone, people who are strangers are ready to help you at every place. I reached Ardh Kumari at noon around 2 PM. The relief was that I had the VIP Pass so I get the chance to sideline the long waiting queue and get instant darshan. The cave is frightening and very narrow at first but when you enter, it is surprisingly accommodated for your visit. After Ardh Kumari, I hire the battery auto for the mandir and it took mostly half an hour to reach there. Here I attained the Sacred Arti and the experience was exhilarating. The sound of Ghata, harmonium, tabla, Bhajan, all feels divine, out of the world. You feel your mind and heart getting numb and gradually you enter the world of peace and divine within your inner self. After the Aarti, I continued my journey and reach bahiro mandir. It says your pilgrimage is incomplete without the darshan of Bhairo baba.
What are the problems I faced
1.From Katra to Ardh Kumari, it was extreme hot but from Ardh Kumari to Vaishno devi and Bhairo Baba, it was snow everywhere. so basically hot sun rays was at my head and cold snow was under my feet.
2. Monkeys are sometimes delight to watch and many times they are irritating, snatching your food and water especially my lays.
3. Potty of pony is ewe. Anywhere it is the hay and the pony-potty. The road needs much cleaning.
Positive:
Energy radiating from everyone
the divine feeling
the hope to pray to almighty in her more finite form
the thrill of tracking stretch 13 meters in one go
the facility of loo, washroom, drinking waters and eatables after every few distance.