Nau Devi Yatra (9 Devi Yatra): Nine Devis, Route, Timings & Days
नौ देवी यात्राNine Devis, one journey.
The nine Devi temples of North India’s best-loved yatra — which nine, in what order, how many days, darshan hours from the shrine boards, the Vaishno Devi RFID card and how to plan around Navratri. Written by Suzu Travels, from Bilaspur.
- 9 temples in 4 states/UTs
- ~9 days from Delhi
- 7 days from Chandigarh
- 11–19 Oct Sharad Navratri 2026
What is the Nau Devi Yatra?
The Nau Devi Yatra (9 Devi Yatra) is a road pilgrimage to nine Devi temples of the North Indian hills: Shakumbhari, Mansa Devi (Panchkula), Kali Mata of Kalka, Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwala Ji, Brajeshwari (Kangra), Chamunda and Vaishno Devi. All nine take about 9 days from Delhi; the shorter package route of seven Devis takes about 7 days from Chandigarh.
Hindi pamphlets and family stories call the hill goddesses Saat Behna, the seven sisters, with Mata Vaishno Devi as the eldest. Over time the seven grew to nine — Kali Mata of Kalka and Shakumbhari Devi were added — so that a family could take one darshan for each night of Navratri. That is the yatra this guide follows, with the common package variant explained below.
Five of the nine are in Himachal and also make up our 5 Shakti Peeths of Himachal circuit. For the wider sacred map, see the pilgrimage hub.
The nine Devis and their stories
No single legend links all nine shrines. Each temple keeps its own story — here they are in our own words, as tradition tells them.
- The fall of SatiWhen Shiva carried Sati’s body across the worlds, Vishnu’s chakra divided it. Tradition places her eyes at Naina Devi, her tongue at Jwala Ji and her left breast at Brajeshwari in Kangra.
- The seven sistersIn the hills the Devis are spoken of as seven sisters — Saat Behna — with Mata Vaishno Devi, in her cave on Trikuta hill, as the eldest.
- The Mother of herbsThe Devi Bhagavata tells of Shakumbhari, the hundred-eyed Mother, whose tears ended a hundred-year famine and who fed the world with vegetables and herbs.
- Kali of Kalka, Chamunda and ChintpurniKali of Kalka is believed to have destroyed the demons who drove the gods into the hills; Chamunda slew Chanda and Munda; and at Chintpurni the Devi is said to have freed her devotee Mai Das of all worry.
Only Naina Devi, Jwala Ji and Brajeshwari appear in the compiled lists of the 51 Shakti Peeths, and Chintpurni’s place is disputed. Vaishno Devi, Mansa Devi, Chamunda, Kalka and Shakumbhari are deeply revered shrines by their own traditions — we say so plainly rather than call all nine ‘peethas’.
Darshan timings at the nine Devi temples
| Shakumbhari Devi | Not published officially — confirm locally. |
| Mansa Devi, Panchkula | Summer 4 am – 10 pm, winter 5 am – 9 pm. Aarti: summer 4:30 am & 7 pm, winter 5:30 am & 6 pm (Shrine Board). |
| Kali Mata, Kalka | Summer 4 am – 10 pm, winter 5 am – 9 pm (Mansa Devi Shrine Board). |
| Naina Devi | 4 am – 10 pm; 2 am – midnight during Navratri (temple trust). |
| Chintpurni | Hours and aarti times are not published — confirm locally. Darshan slip from the guard; paid Sugam Darshan can be booked on the trust’s site. |
| Jwala Ji | Roughly 5–6 am to 10 pm with a short midday break (official sources differ — confirm locally). |
| Brajeshwari, Kangra | 6 am – 12 noon and 12:30 – 8 pm. |
| Chamunda | Approximately 6 am – 7 or 8 pm. |
| Vaishno Devi | Open round the clock, except during the morning and evening aarti. |
From the shrine boards, temple trusts, district administrations and Incredible India, checked 8–9 Oct 2026. Hours stretch during Navratri and the melas — always confirm on the day.
When to go: seasons and Navratri
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Sharad Navratri 2026 | 11–19 Oct 2026 (Dussehra 20 Oct) | Panchang sources — confirm with a local panchang |
| Chaitra Navratri 2027 | From 7 Apr 2027 | Panchang sources |
| Shravan Ashtami melas | July–August | Naina Devi & Chintpurni — 2027 dates not announced yet |
| Shakambhari Navratri | Paush month (Dec–Jan) | 2026–27 date not announced yet — confirm locally |
| Best weather | Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov | Avoid peak monsoon on hill roads and the Vaishno Devi track |
Navratri is the most auspicious time for the nine Devis — and the most crowded. Start each day early, book stays ahead, and keep a spare day. The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board asks pilgrims not to trek during weather alerts.
Nau Devi Yatra route, with road distances
The classic order runs from the Shivalik foothills of UP and Haryana up into Himachal’s Kangra valley, and ends at Trikuta hill in Jammu. Distances are by road.
Nine Devis across four states and union territories. The order below saves backtracking; the reverse works too — start at Vaishno Devi from Jammu (Katra is about 50 km away) and end at Shakumbhari.
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~210 kmDelhi → Shakumbhari Deviशाकुम्भरी देवी
North to Behat in Saharanpur district; darshan at Bhura Dev first.
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~156 kmShakumbhari → Mansa Devi, Panchkulaमनसा देवी
Across the Yamuna to Panchkula, next to Chandigarh.
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~25 kmMansa Devi → Kali Mata, Kalkaकाली माता
A short drive — both are easy on the same day.
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~110 kmPanchkula → Naina Deviनैना देवी
Into Himachal via Anandpur Sahib; cable car to the hilltop.
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~112 kmNaina Devi → Chintpurniचिंतपूर्णी
Down to Una and up to Chhaproh.
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~31 kmChintpurni → Jwala Jiज्वाला जी
The shortest hill leg.
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~36 kmJwala Ji → Brajeshwari, Kangraब्रजेश्वरी
Baglamukhi at Bankhandi is on the way if you want a tenth darshan.
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~22 kmKangra → Chamundaचामुंडा
Below the Dhauladhar, near Dharamshala.
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~241 kmChamunda → Katra (Vaishno Devi)वैष्णो देवी
Via Pathankot to Katra; the trek is about 12 km each way. Katra back to Delhi is about 649 km.
Road distances from OpenStreetMap routing, 8 Oct 2026. Real hill driving takes 30–60% longer than map estimates — allow extra time.
How to start and end the Nau Devi Yatra
From Delhi
Drive north to Shakumbhari (about 210 km) and follow the route above; return from Katra by road, train or air from Jammu.
From Chandigarh
Mansa Devi and Kalka are on the city’s doorstep, and Naina Devi is about 100 km away — the usual start for the 7-day package route.
By air
Chandigarh airport for the start, Gaggal (Kangra) airport near Brajeshwari and Chamunda, and Jammu airport for Vaishno Devi.
By rail
Kalka, Anandpur Sahib (for Naina Devi), Pathankot for Kangra, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station at the end.
From Bilaspur
Suzu Travels is based in Bilaspur district, about 64 km from Naina Devi — we plan the Himachal leg of this yatra every Navratri.
A 9-day Nau Devi Yatra itinerary from Delhi
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Day 1Delhi → Shakumbhari Devi
About 210 km. Darshan at Bhura Dev and Shakumbhari; overnight near Saharanpur.
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Day 2Mansa Devi & Kali Mata, Kalka
About 156 km to Panchkula, darshan at Mansa Devi, then 25 km to Kalka. Overnight in Panchkula or Chandigarh.
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Day 3→ Naina Devi
About 110 km into Himachal, cable car up, evening darshan. Overnight at Naina Devi or Anandpur Sahib.
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Day 4→ Chintpurni
About 112 km. Darshan with a parchi; overnight at Chintpurni or nearby.
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Day 5Jwala Ji → Kangra
31 km to the flames of Jwala Ji, then 36 km to Kangra. Overnight in Kangra or Dharamshala.
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Day 6Brajeshwari & Chamunda
Morning darshan at Kangra Devi, then 22 km to Chamunda. Evening in Dharamshala.
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Day 7→ Katra
About 241 km via Pathankot. Collect the RFID Yatra Access Card and rest.
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Day 8Vaishno Devi & Bhairon
Trek (or helicopter / battery car where available) to the Bhawan, darshan, then Bhairon temple; back to Katra.
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Day 9Return
Drive to Jammu for a flight or train, or back to Delhi (about 649 km).
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Vaishno Devi registrationThe free RFID Yatra Access Card is compulsory — one per pilgrim, from the Katra counters or the only official site, online.maavaishnodevi.org. Start the climb within the time limit printed on your card (recent reports differ, so check the Shrine Board). Beware of fake booking sites.
- Vaishno Devi helicopterThe helicopter flies Katra–Sanjichhat, not to the Bhawan; book only through the Shrine Board portal. Battery cars and the Bhawan–Bhairon ropeway also run.
- Chintpurni parchiTake the darshan slip from the temple guard and use only the official queue — no back-door darshan. Please don’t feed the monkeys.
- EldersChoose 9 days over 7, travel outside Navratri and Shravan, use the Naina Devi cable car and the Vaishno Devi helicopter or battery-car quotas. Vaishno Devi helpline: 1800-180-7212 (toll-free).
- What to carryPhoto ID (needed for the RFID card), a light bag, grippy shoes, a rain poncho, a warm layer, cash/UPI, and printed hotel bookings in Navratri.
- Respect the shrinesModest clothes, shoes off at the gate. At Vaishno Devi, shoes and belts are not allowed in the holy cave — use the free cloak room at the Bhawan.
Which are the 9 Devis of the Nau Devi Yatra?
1 · Shakumbhari Devi
शाकुम्भरी देवी
Behat, Saharanpur (UP), in the Shivalik foothills. Pilgrims first visit Bhura Dev, the guardian Bhairav, about 1 km before the main shrine.
2 · Mata Mansa Devi
मनसा देवी
Panchkula, Haryana, run by the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board. This is the Panchkula temple — not Mansa Devi of Haridwar.
3 · Kali Mata, Kalka
काली माता, कालका
In Kalka town at the foot of the Shimla hills, about 25 km from Mansa Devi and managed by the same Shrine Board.
4 · Naina Devi
नैना देवी
A Shivalik hilltop in Bilaspur, Himachal — Suzu’s home district. A cable car climbs from the base. Not the Naina Devi of Nainital. Full Naina Devi guide.
5 · Chintpurni
चिंतपूर्णी
Chhaproh in Una district, seat of Chhinnamastika. Join the queue with a darshan slip (parchi) from the guard.
6 · Jwala Ji
ज्वाला जी
Jawalamukhi, Kangra: no idol, only flames from the rock. Devotees see the Devi in them; geologists describe natural gas seeping from the ground.
7 · Brajeshwari (Kangra Devi)
ब्रजेश्वरी
Kangra town, old Nagarkot. Rebuilt after the 1905 earthquake; the pindi is covered in butter every Makar Sankranti.
8 · Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham
चामुंडा
On the Baner river near Dharamshala, below the Dhauladhar range.
9 · Mata Vaishno Devi
वैष्णो देवी
The cave shrine on Trikuta hill above Katra, Jammu & Kashmir — the eldest of the sisters and the last, steepest stop of the yatra.
The package variant. Many tour operators drop Kalka and Shakumbhari and add Baglamukhi (Bankhandi, between Jwala Ji and Kangra) and a Sheetla Devi temple. Neither list is “official” — choose by your route and time. Nau Devi is not Navadurga: Navadurga are the nine forms of Durga worshipped on the nine nights; the Nau Devi Yatra is a journey to nine temples.
Plan your Nau Devi Yatra with Suzu
We are based in Bilaspur, Naina Devi’s home district. Tell us your city, dates and group, and we will plan the cars, stays and darshan timings — all nine Devis in 9 days, the 7-day route from Chandigarh, or a reverse yatra starting at Vaishno Devi.
Nau Devi Yatra: questions pilgrims ask
Which are the 9 Devis of the Nau Devi Yatra?
Traditionally Vaishno Devi, Mansa Devi (Panchkula), Kali Mata of Kalka, Shakumbhari Devi, Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwala Ji, Kangra Devi (Brajeshwari) and Chamunda. Many packages swap Kalka and Shakumbhari for Baglamukhi and a Sheetla Devi temple.
How many days does the Nau Devi Yatra take?
About 9 days from Delhi for all nine temples. The common package route of seven Devis, starting from Chandigarh, takes about 7 days.
What is the best route order for the 9 Devi Yatra?
Shakumbhari → Mansa Devi → Kalka → Naina Devi → Chintpurni → Jwala Ji → Kangra → Chamunda → Vaishno Devi. The reverse also works, starting at Vaishno Devi from Jammu.
Is the Nau Devi Yatra the same as Navadurga?
No. Navadurga are the nine forms of Durga worshipped on the nine nights of Navratri. The Nau Devi Yatra is a journey to nine different Devi temples.
Are all nine temples Shakti Peeths?
No. Naina Devi, Jwala Ji and Kangra Devi appear in the classical lists, and Chintpurni’s place is disputed. Vaishno Devi, Mansa Devi, Chamunda, Kalka and Shakumbhari are revered by their own traditions.
Do I need registration for the Nau Devi Yatra?
Only for Vaishno Devi: the free RFID Yatra Access Card, from the Katra counters or online.maavaishnodevi.org. Start the climb within the time limit printed on your card.
What is the best time for the Nau Devi Yatra?
March–June and September–November. Navratri (Sharad Navratri 2026 runs 11–19 October) is the most auspicious time but also the most crowded; avoid peak monsoon.
Can elderly parents do the Nau Devi Yatra?
Yes, with planning: take 9 days rather than 7, use the Naina Devi cable car and the Vaishno Devi helicopter or battery-car options, and travel outside Navratri and Shravan.
Keep exploring
Yatras & circuits
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
- Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board
- Mansa Devi Shrine Board — Kali Mata temple, Kalka
- Shri Naina Devi Ji temple trust
- Mata Shri Chintpurni temple trust
- HP Kangra district — Kangra pilgrimage
- Incredible India — Brajeshwari Devi Temple
- ETV Bharat — Vaishno Devi registration guidelines (23 Dec 2025)
- Wikipedia — Saat Behna (seven sister goddesses)
- Wikipedia — Shakta pithas
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
