Vaishno Devi weather: today, this week and through the year
Live temperature and a five-day forecast for Katra and the Bhawan, Katra’s IMD monthly averages, when it snows at Bhairon Ghati, how the monsoon affects the 12–13 km track and the ropeway, and what to wear for the climb.
- 16.2° / 6.8°C Katra in January
- 35.1° / 23.5°C Katra in June
- Jul–Aug 500–670 mm rain
- Live Katra + Bhawan
Photo: KuShahrukh Tendulkar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates · हिंदी में: जम्मू, कटरा और भवन का मौसम
Katra, the base town for Vaishno Devi, sits at about 875 m and the Bhawan (the shrine) about 700 m higher, at roughly 1,585 m — so the Bhawan is usually 5–7 °C colder than Katra. India Meteorological Department averages for Katra (1991–2020) put January at 16.2 °C by day and 6.8 °C at night and June at 35.1 °C by day. The monsoon is heavy: July and August bring 500–670 mm of rain each. In cold spells of January–February, snow can fall around Bhairon Ghati above the Bhawan. The most comfortable months for the climb are October–November and February–April.
- ColdestDecember–January — Katra nights ~7–8 °C, the Bhawan near freezing.
- HottestMay–June — Katra 34–35 °C by day; climb early or at night.
- WettestJuly–August, ~514 and ~666 mm at Katra.
- DriestOctober–November, ~35 mm a month.
- SnowSome winters around Bhairon Ghati; rarely at the Bhawan itself.
Katra and Vaishno Devi Bhawan weather today
Current temperature and the next days’ high, low and rain for Katra (875 m) and the Bhawan (~1,585 m), plus Jammu (327 m), where most pilgrims arrive by train or air.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
Katra weather by month (IMD averages)
Figures are India Meteorological Department normals for Katra, 1991–2020. Expect the Bhawan to be several degrees colder than these numbers, and windier after dark.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.2° / 6.8 °C | 102 mm | Cold mornings; chilly and damp at the Bhawan |
| February | 19.1° / 9.2 °C | 122 mm | Cool; western disturbances bring rain |
| March | 23.1° / 12.6 °C | 92 mm | Pleasant; Navratri crowds some years |
| April | 28.8° / 17.1 °C | 75 mm | Warm days, good climbing weather |
| May | 33.7° / 21.3 °C | 37 mm | Hot by midday; climb early |
| June | 35.1° / 23.5 °C | 134 mm | Hottest; summer-holiday rush |
| July | 31.0° / 23.2 °C | 514 mm | Monsoon; slippery track, helicopter often grounded |
| August | 29.7° / 22.7 °C | 666 mm | Wettest month; landslide risk on the old route |
| September | 29.7° / 20.8 °C | 279 mm | Rain easing |
| October | 27.8° / 16.3 °C | 36 mm | Clear and dry; Navratri |
| November | 22.6° / 11.7 °C | 34 mm | Crisp and clear; fewer crowds |
| December | 18.5° / 8.1 °C | 61 mm | Cold nights; New Year rush |
Katra gets about 2,150 mm of rain a year — far more than Jammu (about 1,400 mm) — because the Trikuta hills catch the monsoon.
Does it snow at Vaishno Devi?
Katra itself does not get snow. Higher up, light snow falls in some winters around Bhairon Ghati (roughly 2,000 m) and on the Trikuta peaks, usually during cold spells in January and February. The Bhawan gets snow only occasionally. When it does, the stretch to Bhairon becomes slippery and the ropeway or the climb may be paused for a while.
In December–January, temperatures at the Bhawan can drop close to freezing at night. Carry a warm jacket, cap and gloves even if Katra feels mild in the afternoon. More on winter darshan: Vaishno Devi in December.
Monsoon at Vaishno Devi: what changes
July and August are the wettest months, with over 500 mm of rain each at Katra. The track stays open on most days, but heavy rain can slow it down. Shelters along the route help, and the helicopter service between Katra and Sanjichhat is often suspended in low cloud.
If you travel in the monsoon, keep a spare day, carry a light raincoat (umbrellas are awkward on the steps) and shoes with good grip.
Katra and the Trikuta hills
The base town, the hills and the route — real photos, each credited to its photographer.
Best time for Vaishno Devi yatra by season
Choose by what matters most to you.
Most comfortable
Dry, clear and cool — the easiest climbing weather of the year.
Spring
Mild days; check for rain in February and Navratri dates in March–April.
Snow chance
Cold; light snow possible near Bhairon Ghati. Dress warmly.
Summer
Hot in Katra; start the climb in the early morning or at night.
Careful
Heavy rain; slippery track, helicopter often grounded.
Big crowds
Book stays early; climbing slots fill quickly.
Vaishno Devi weather tips and getting there
What to wear: layers. From November to February, thermals, a warm jacket, cap and gloves for the Bhawan; from April to September, light cotton clothes and a rain jacket. Good walking shoes in every season.
Getting to Katra: Katra is about 48 km from Jammu (1–1.5 hours by road). See Jammu to Katra taxi, and our full Vaishno Devi yatra guide for the route, RFID cards and the ropeway.
Going on to Kashmir: the Vande Bharat train runs from Katra to Srinagar — Katra to Srinagar train. Weather in the valley: Srinagar weather (Hindi) and Kashmir weather by month.
Our trips that include Vaishno Devi
Pick-up in Jammu or Katra — hotels and a private car in one written quote.
Planning darshan at Vaishno Devi?
Tell us your dates, where you are starting from and how many of you are travelling. We plan around the weather and the crowds — stay in Katra, the climb or the helicopter, and onward travel to Kashmir — and send a written quote with hotels and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), planning trips across North India.
Vaishno Devi weather: questions
What is the weather at Vaishno Devi today?
The live forecast at the top of this page shows the current temperature and the next days for Katra, the Bhawan and Jammu, using MET Norway data.
How cold is Vaishno Devi in December and January?
IMD averages for Katra are about 16–18 °C by day and 7–8 °C at night. The Bhawan, about 700 m higher, is usually 5–7 °C colder and can drop close to freezing at night.
Does it snow at Vaishno Devi?
Katra does not get snow. Light snow falls in some winters around Bhairon Ghati and on the Trikuta peaks, mostly in January–February; the Bhawan itself sees snow only occasionally.
Which is the best month for the Vaishno Devi yatra?
October and November are the most comfortable — dry, clear and cool. February to April is also good. Avoid July–August if you can, when Katra gets over 500 mm of rain a month.
Is it safe to go to Vaishno Devi in the monsoon?
The yatra continues in the monsoon, but the track is slippery, the helicopter is often grounded and heavy rain can cause delays. Keep a spare day and follow the shrine board’s advisories.
How hot is Katra in summer?
IMD averages for June are about 35 °C by day and 23.5 °C at night. Start the climb early in the morning or in the evening.
Sources
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
- India Meteorological Department — Katra climatological normals 1991–2020 (via Wikipedia: Katra, Jammu and Kashmir)
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board — official site
Photo credits
The Trikuta hills above Katra — Photo: KuShahrukh Tendulkar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Bhawan on the Trikuta mountain, about 700 m above Katra — Photo: KDhruv406, CC BY 4.0 · The Bhawan above the valley — Photo: Rajneesh kumar Thakur, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Bhawan complex from above — Photo: Abhishek Chandra, Public domain · The yatra gateway at Katra — Photo: Lpp3535, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Bhawan lit up at night — Photo: Ad47n, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Track lights on the mountain at night — Photo: Thenerdatul, CC BY 4.0 · The illuminated entrance gate — Photo: Thenerdatul, CC BY 4.0 · The Bhawan on the mountainside — Photo: Thenerdatul, CC BY 4.0
