History of Maa Vaishno devi Yatra :

A geological review of the Sacred Cave has advised its age to become almost one million years. According to opinion of worshipping Shakti started in the Puranic period as well as the first mention of Mother Goddess the exercise is within the epic Mahabharat. If the armies of Pandavs and Kaurvas were arrayed in the battleground of Kurukshetra, Arjun upon advice of Sri Krishna; meditated upon the Mother Goddess and sought Her joys for win. This really is when Arjun handles the Mother Goddess as 'Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye', meaning 'you who generally dwell in the forehead about the mountain of the hill in Jamboo' (likely referring to the present day Jammu).

It's also usually assumed that the Pandavs were the first to ever assemble the temples at Bhawan and Kol Kandoli in passion and reverence for that Mother Goddess. On a mountain, overlooking the Sacred Cave and just adjacent to the Trikuta Mountain are five rock houses, which are considered to be the steel icons of the five Pandavs.

Possibly the oldest reference of a historical amount for the Sacred Cave's visit is that of Guru Gobind Singh who's said to have gone there via Purmandal. The old foot monitor to the Holy Cave transferred through this well-known pilgrimage centre.

Some practices believe this Shrine to be the holiest of Shaktipeeths (a location where the Caretaker Goddess, the Eternal Power has Her house) since the skull of Mata Sati fell below. Others believe that her arm that is right had fallen below. However many scriptures do not accept it. They do agree that in a place named Gandarbal in Kashmir, the best supply of Sati had fallen. Nonetheless, in the Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji, one does find jewel remains of a human hand, famously called Varad Hast (the hand that allows boons and blessings).

While different versions of the foundation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi are widespread, there appears to be unanimity on the finding of Shrine around 700 years back by the Pandit Shridhar, at whose position Mata had helped manage a Bhandaara. Pandit Shridhar is believed to have felt as though he had dropped everything in his life when she quit amidst the Bhandaara to escape Bhairon Nath. He believed immense grief and gave up the intake of food or even water and closed herself in a room of his residence, fervently praying for Vaishnavi.
She showed him the best way to the Sacred Cave and insisted him to interrupt his quick. Pandit Shridhar then proceeded to find the Holy Cave in the foothills. Everytime he appeared to drop the way, the vision of his desires reappeared before his eyes and lastly he reached his location.
He discovered a steel type atop it with three heads upon entering the Cave. At that moment Mata Vaishno Devi appeared before him in most her glory (another type suggests that the Supreme Energies of Mata Maha Saraswati, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Kali appeared inside the Holy Cave) and presented him towards the three brains (now generally known as the Sacred Pindies) of the rock sort along with many other recognition markings while in the Holy Cave. She requested him to distribute the glory of the Holy Shrine allover and blessed him having a blessing of a right along with four kids to praise her manifestation. His remaining life was subsequently used by Pandit Shridhar inside Mata's assistance in the Holy Cave.

What to remember:

• Obtain a yatra slip only in the yatra registration counter at the Tourist Reception Center at the Katra bus stand and nowhere else. Without a real yatra slip, crossing of the Ban Ganga check post isn't permitted.
• Take official receipts for all payments made to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVSB) as well as those made to private sellers. 
• Donations to the shrine are exempt from income tax under the Income Tax Act. Do contact the central office of the Shrine Board situated at Katra, or the Sub Divisional Magistrate or Tehsildar in Room No. 8, Kalika Bhawan, Durbar, or write to the Chief executive Officer, SMVSB for any ideas/gripes.
• Avert over straining yourself on the rise. Walk instead of the stairs, on the paved track. Do not relax at points where warning notices are shown. Don't break traffic discipline or attempt to over take others at difficult stretches.
• To maintain the sanctity of the area don't indulge in playing cards, smoking or chewing betel (paan) at Bhawan or enroute. Don't paint, stick disfigure signboards or posters, as well as prevent littering the area.
• Their religion in the Mata binds to you personally fellow pilgrims. Avert playing tape recorders or transistors too loud or creating hindrances or blockage in the passages meant for circulation of the yatris.
• Certified physicians are available at the Primary Health Centre, Katra and at the dispensaries at Bhawan and Adhkawari, round the clock.
• Garments - Light woollens are needed during summer at night.
• The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVSB) runs a large number of cafeterias and viewing points along the trail between Katra and the shrine where snacks, coffee and cold drinks are supplied to the yatris on a no-gain-no-loss basis. The Shrine Board additionally runs ‘bhojanalyas’ at the Bhawan / shrine and at Katra, Adhkawari, Sanji Chhat for providing hygienically prepared food to the yatris on a no-gain-no-loss basis.
• Upon reaching the Bhawan, a group number is allotted to the pilgrims at the chemise (‘parchi’) counter against the yatra slip issued at Katra. Till the announcement of the group’s number is made to move to the sanctum sanctorum the yatri is required to stand in queue at Gate Number 2,. The holy water coming from the feet of the Mata can be rolled up on the way back.
• Pithus’ (coolies) are also accessible.Helicopter Service in addition has been managed from Jammu/ Katra to Shrine.

Banned Things

Yatries are requested to not take certain forbidden things while performing Yatra. These articles Won't be permitted to carry beyond checking and frisking point established at Banganga. These things will be confiscated and will not be returned to Yatries if seen in the bags by the Security Staff.

1. Meat, Fish and Egg. (Prohibited in Katra Town)
2. Spirits. (Banned in Katra Town)
3. Tobacco, Cigs, Bidi, Match Boxes and any other substance that is addictive. (Beyond Banganga)
4. Lights, Scissors-metal with pointed tips, Toy weapon. (Beyond Banganga)
5. Sharp Items – (Beyond Banganga)
6. Ammunition, BB guns, Compressed Air Guns, Firearms, Parts of Guns and Firearms, Pellet Guns, Realistic Replicas of Firearms, pistols, Explosives. (Forbidden item)
7. Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel), Gasoline, Petrol Torches. (Beyond Banganga)
8. Disabling Chemicals and other Dangerous Things. (Banned thing)
9. Video Camera/ Camcorder (Beyond Banganga)