A Circuit of Himalayan Shakti Shrines — From the Trikuta Hills to the Punjab Plains
A 7-day pilgrimage tracing one of North India's most significant Shakti (Goddess) circuits — beginning at the revered cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu's Trikuta Mountains, and continuing through Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Valley to a succession of ancient temples, each dedicated to a different form of the Devi, before concluding at Chandigarh.
The journey opens in Katra, the base town for the Vaishno Devi yatra, with the pilgrimage itself — a 14 km trek on foot or by pony, climbing to 5,200 ft through Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Himkoti, and Ardhkuwari — forming the spiritual high point of the entire circuit.
From Katra, the route continues to Dharamsala in Himachal's Kangra Valley, the base for visiting Sri Bagalamukhi Temple (one of the ten Mahavidya goddesses), Bajreshwari Devi Temple in Kangra town (one of the 51 Shakti Peethas), and Chamunda Devi, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
The pilgrimage continues to Jwalamukhi — famous for nine permanent natural flames, each representing a different form of the Goddess — and on through Chintpurni (Maa Chinnamastika Devi) and the hilltop Naina Devi Temple, another of the 51 Shakti Peethas, before a final visit to Mata Mansa Devi in Chandigarh and departure.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Meet our representative at Jammu Airport or railway station and transfer to Katra by chauffeur-driven car (70 km, ~2 hours). Katra, situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, is the base town for the pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
After an early breakfast, begin the pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, by foot or by pony. The shrine is located at approximately 5,200 ft, around 14 km from Katra. The journey by foot takes approximately 5-6 hours, and by pony around 2-3 hours. The yatra route passes through sacred sites including Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Himkoti, and Ardhkuwari. After darshan at the holy shrine, return to Katra for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Dharamsala, located in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. On arrival, check in to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to rest after the previous day's pilgrimage.
After breakfast, proceed for a day of temple darshan in the Kangra Valley. Sri Bagalamukhi Temple, located near Kotla Fort in Kangra, is dedicated to one of the ten Mahavidya forms of the Goddess. Bajreshwari Devi Temple, in the middle of Kangra town, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India. Chamunda Devi Temple, located 15 km from Dharamsala, offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountain range alongside its spiritual significance. In the evening, return to your hotel in Dharamsala.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Jwalaji. On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Jwalamukhi Temple — uniquely known for nine permanent natural flames, each dedicated to a different form of the Goddess, said to burn continuously without any external fuel source.
After breakfast, check out and drive toward Chandigarh. En route, visit Chintpurni Temple, also known as Maa Chinnamastika Devi; the Sheetla Mata Mandir at Una; and Sree Naina Devi Temple, situated on a hilltop and one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India. After darshan at each, continue the drive to Chandigarh. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and visit Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Chandigarh for a final darshan. Later, check out and transfer to Chandigarh railway station or airport for your onward journey. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 6 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Jammu or Chandigarh
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Pony/palanquin/helicopter charges for the Vaishno Devi yatra (optional, payable locally)
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at temples and attractions
- ✗ Tipping — an entirely personal gesture
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
Your questions, answered
The itinerary as detailed visits eight named Devi shrines — Vaishno Devi, Bagalamukhi, Bajreshwari (Kangra Devi), Chamunda Devi, Jwalamukhi, Chintpurni, Naina Devi, and Mansa Devi — alongside the Sheetla Mata Mandir at Una as an additional stop. 'Nav Devi' is used here as a traditional regional term for this broader circuit of Himachal and Jammu Shakti shrines rather than a literal count of exactly nine named temples on this particular route; some longer versions of this circuit add a ninth shrine such as Brajeshwari or Jwala Devi's secondary sites. If you would specifically like a ninth temple included, let us know and we can extend the itinerary accordingly.
The trek from Katra to the shrine is 14 km each way, climbing to approximately 5,200 ft. On foot, this takes 5-6 hours; by pony or palanquin (available for hire), 2-3 hours. The path is well-maintained and paved throughout, with rest stops, food stalls, and medical aid posts along the route, but reasonable fitness is still required given the sustained uphill gradient. Helicopter services are also available from Katra to Sanjichhat, reducing the walk to approximately 2.5 km.
March to June and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures across both Jammu's Trikuta hills and Himachal's Kangra Valley. December to February can bring snow to the higher parts of the Dhauladhar range visible from Chamunda Devi, which is scenic but can affect road conditions on some mountain stretches — check current conditions if travelling in winter.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can add a helicopter option for Vaishno Devi, extend Dharamsala for McLeod Ganj sightseeing, or adjust the route sequence. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures (15–28°C) for the ghats, boat rides, and temple queues. April–June is hot on the Gangetic plain (up to 42°C); the monsoon (July–September) raises the Ganges considerably, which can affect ghat access in both cities.
The new Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir draws very large crowds, particularly on weekends and during festivals such as Ram Navami and Diwali. We schedule darshan with queue time built into the itinerary; carrying a valid photo ID is recommended, as security screening is in place at the main temple complex.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, add Lucknow, or swap Chitrakoot for additional time in Prayagraj. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
