The "Aarti" of the Maa Vaishno Devi at Holy Cave is performed Twice a Day
First Time of Aarti: Morning just before the sunrise
Second Time of Aarti: Evening immediately after the sunset

The whole ceremony of "Aarti" is a very Sacred and Dedicated to Maa Durga. The Pujaris of the Holy Cave perform "Aarti'" before the holy deity first inside the sanctum- sanctorum and than outside the cave.

Before the start of "Aarti", Pujaris perform "Aatam Pujan/Shuddhee" (Self-Purification). After that the Goddess is bathed in

• Water
• Milk
• Ghee (Clarified butter)
• Honey
• Sugar

After that the Goddess is dressed-up in a Saree, Chola and Chuni and Ornaments.

The entire process takes place with the enchantment of various Shlokas and Mantras.  After that Tilak is placed on the forehead of the deity and Navied (Prasad) is offered.

The Pujaris of Holy Cave perform the Puja of Gods and Goddesses, as it is a believed that during the Aarti time, all the Gods and Goddesses are present inside the sanctum Sanctorum. The Jyoti (divine lamp) is lightened and then the 'Aarti' of the goddess is performed. After the whole procedure, the thaal which contains the lamp and various other items used in the 'Aarti', is brought outside the mouth of the holy cave, where 'Aarti' of the goddess is performed in the presence of yatris. The yatris who remain seated outside the holy cave during the time when the Aarti is performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum, keep listening to the Pravachans of head Pandit. After the Aarti outside the holy cave is over, the pujari distributes Prasadam and the charanamrit ( the holy water) to the devotees.

This whole procedure of "Aarti" takes Two Hours. In this duration, the Darshans for Yatris are delayed. The maintenance  and renovation works required inside the Holy Cave are performed during this time only.

SHRADDHA SUMAN VISHESH POOJA

As per the demand and religious sentiments and the Shraddha of the Pilgrims (Yatris), the Individual Poojan started last year,  another poojan facility named "SHRADHA SUMAN VISHESH POOJA" has been introduced for the devotees desirous of attending Aarti Darshan of the Holy Goddess.

CATEGORIES FOR DARSHAN OF AARTI AND VISHESH POOJA

Category A : Rs. 16000

Number of Persons Allowed - One
Facilities provided under the Package of Category A:

• Darshan of Aarti for one Person.
• Two Bedded AC Room in Niharika Complex Free of Cost.
• Two Bedded Room at Bhawan Free of Cost.
• Three Time Food for one person Free of Cost at Katra/Bhawan.
• Prasad.

Category B : Rs. 31000

Number of Persons Allowed:  Two
Facilities provided under the Package of Category B:

• Darshan of Aarti for Two Persons.
• Two Bedded AC Room in Niharika Complex Free of Cost.
• Two Bedded Room at Bhawan Free of Cost.
• Three Time Food for two persons Free of Cost at Katra/Bhawan.
• Prasad.

Category C : Rs. 46000

No of Persons Allowed:  Three
Facilities Entitled under the Package:

• Darshan of Aarti for Three Persons.
• Four Bedded AC Room in Niharika Complex Free of Cost
• Four Bedded Room at Bhawan Free of Cost
• Three Time Food for three persons free to cost at Katra/Bhawan
• Prasad.

Category D : Rs. 75000

No of Persons Allowed:  Five
Facilities Entitled under the Package:

• Darshan of Aarti for Five Persons.
• Four Bedded AC Room and One Two Bedded AC Room in Niharika Complex Free of Cost
• Four Bedded and One Two Bedded Room at Bhawan Free of Cost.
• Three Time Food for Five Persons Free of Cost at Katra/Bhawan
• Prasad.

BOOKING FOR SPECIAL POOJA AND AARTI IN ADVANCE

Devotees (Yatris) can book their slot for Aarti Darshans in advance by sending a Demand Draft of the desired amount drawn in favour of "Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board" payable at Katra. The request for individual Aarti and Vishesh Pooja must be on the prescribed form.

Devotees can send the filled-in form by E-mail as Attachment with the details of the Demand Draft or through Post at the address below :

The Dy. Manager (Enquiry & Reservations),
Shakti Bhawan, Niharika Complex,
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board,
Katra, J & K PIN - 182301, India
Contact: 01991-232125 & 232887 (EPABX), 234053

NOTE:

• Maximum Five Persons are allowed under the Vishesh Pooja unless they are all members of the same family and the special and prior permission of the Board authorities is required.
• The Vishesh Pooja should be booked in advance.
• Spot Booking is considered by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on the basis of the availability of slots.
• Maximum of two children (below ten years of age) are accommodated free under B, C and D categories. One Child (below ten years age) will be accommodated free under  category A.
• On Special Occasions/Festivals/Navratras, Rs. 21000/- per devotee is asked to pay.
• Any request to Cancel/Postpone/Prepone is not entertained, once Vishesh Pooja is confirmed.