Charan Paduka, Vaishno Devi - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 6 km from Katra Railway Station, and 9 km from Vaishno Devi Temple, Charan Paduka is a sacred place situated near Ban Ganga in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Located on the way to Vaishno Devi Temple from Katra, it is one of the popular Vaishno Devi places to visit.

Charan Paduka is the second stop of the trek that takes you to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, also known as Bhavan. While Banganga is the first stop. Situated about 1.5 km from Banganga, the temple houses the footprints of Mata Vaishno Devi. Legend says that this white temple is believed to be the place where Mata Vaishno Devi stopped over to check if she was still being chased by Bhairon Nath, the disciple of Mahayogi Guru Goraksh Nathji. She stood on a rock to look at Bhairav Nath before her escape and this rock supposedly contained her footprints.

Located at an altitude of 3380 feet, the temple was earlier a small shrine but now it has been transformed into a scenic and large temple. In the main sanctum sanctorum of the Charan Paduka temple, an idol of the mother is seated and under that stone which contains Mata's footprints, is also placed. The darshan at Charan Paduka Temple does not take more than a few minutes on a normal day. One pays obeisance at the footprints of Mata engraved on a rock slab and proceeds further. Symbolically, it means touching the feet of Mata and seeking Her blessings at the start of Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra.

A medical unit of the Shrine Board is also located here, which is equipped with all necessary medical facilities and is attended by trained medical staff.

Timings: 5 AM - 9 PM

Entry: Free