Vaishno Devi Yatra 2025–26: RFID card rules, smart lockers, helpline numbers and helicopter fare revision

The pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is not just a physical journey; it's a spiritual voyage through the various places where Mata Vaishnavi spent time performing deep penance and meditation. If you are planning to visit this sacred destination this year, check what the official page mentions — including an important alert issued for pilgrims, which states the following:
Devotees planning to undertake the pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi are advised of the following:
Pilgrims who have registered through the online mode must collect their RFID Yatra Access Card before starting their yatra, which can be collected from the Yatra Registration Counters (YRCs) located at Katra Bus Stand, Railway Station, Niharika Complex, Counter No. 02, Serli Helipad, Tarakote, Jammu Airport, and Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu, upon showing the online booking slip.
The Shrine Board has not authorised any private travel agent or agency for booking its services. All bookings for services offered by the Shrine Board must be made exclusively through the official website.
If bad weather catches up, all those with helicopter tickets will be required to initiate their refunds only at designated SMVDSB counters located at Serli Helipad (Katra), Sanjichhat Helipad, and Jammu Airport.
Further in case of any queries or information, devotees can get in touch with the 24×7 Call Centre at 18001807212, 01991-234804, or via WhatsApp at 9906019494.
Here’s all the details that one needs to know to plan their sacred trip.

To facilitate a smooth pilgrimage experience, Smart Locker facilities are available for yatris at multiple locations along the yatra route and at the Bhawan. As per the official page, these facilities are operational at Room No. 04, Waiting Hall (Ram Mandir), Durga Bhawan, Parvati Bhawan, Gate No. 03, and Adhkuwari.
The Smart Locker facility at Room No. 04 is provided free of cost to yatris holding confirmed bookings for specific services. These include SSVP, Atka Aarti, Nav Chandi Path, Group Atka, Katra–Panchi Helicopter services, and Jammu–Bhawan–Jammu helicopter packages. To avail this free facility, pilgrims are required to get their booking receipt stamped at the Reception Counter located at Room No. 04.

The Tarakote Yatra Registration Counter continues to function round the clock, issuing RFID Yatra Registration Cards to pilgrims. This ensures uninterrupted registration services for devotees arriving at any hour.
In addition, the Banganga Counter continues to function for issuing Yatra Cards to pilgrims who are found carrying unauthorized or invalid registration cards. After 10:00 PM, this counter also facilitates registration for pilgrims arriving with valid online Yatra Registration receipts or train tickets for trains scheduled to reach Katra post 10:00 PM.

To assist pilgrims arriving late at night, one dedicated desk at the Yatra Facilitation Counter at the Katra Railway Station remains functional until 12:00 midnight. This desk facilitates registration for devotees arriving by trains scheduled to reach Katra after 10:00 PM, ensuring continuity of services even during late hours.

Devotees are advised to stay updated through official communication channels for authentic and timely information related to the yatra. Updates are regularly shared through the official website and verified social media platforms, including X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram.
The authorized websites for information and services are:
www.maavaishnodevi.org
online.maavaishnodevi.org
Pilgrims are encouraged to rely only on these official platforms for accurate announcements and notifications.

In terms of the official order issued under Clause No. 36 of the agreement deed dated December 23, 2023, between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and helicopter operators, the Chief Executive Officer has approved the revised fares for the Katra–Sanjichhat–Katra sector, which come into effect immediately.
The revised one-way helicopter ticket price for this route is INR 2,320, inclusive of 5% GST. This revised tariff shall remain applicable from 16 October 2025 to 15 October 2026. The differential amount, wherever applicable, will be collected at the respective counters prior to the issuance of boarding passes. All other contractual terms and conditions remain unchanged. Find the details here.

Helicopter fares for the Jammu–Bhawan–Jammu sector have also been revised through an official order issued by the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra, dated 29 August 2025.
The updated price of the helicopter ticket for this sector is INR 8,979, revised from the earlier fare of INR 8,499, with the rounded-off ticket price set as per applicable norms. This rate, inclusive of 5% GST, will be effective from 1 September 2025 to 24 June 2026. As with other routes, any difference in fare will be collected at the respective counter before the issuance of the boarding pass. All other terms and conditions of the contract agreement remain unchanged. Find out more here.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents related to helicopter services for both sectors are available through the official Shrine Board website. These documents outline operational procedures and guidelines applicable to helicopter travel services associated with the yatra.