Pujas, Aarti & Sevas at Vaishno Devi Bhawan
From Atka Aarti to Chandi Path — every puja you can offer at the Holy Cave, with cost, booking and what happens during each ritual.
The Daily Worship at the Cave
Worship at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine follows the Vaishnav Shakta tradition and centres around the twice-daily Atka Aarti. There are no paid VIP pujas — all sevas listed by the Shrine Board are either free or charged at a nominal fixed rate that goes entirely into temple operations. Below is the complete list of pujas and sevas you can offer, sorted by what most pilgrims book.
1. Atka Aarti (Morning & Evening)
The Atka Aarti is the principal puja, performed by the temple priests twice daily inside the Holy Cave. It takes its name from atka (“halted”) because the entire darshan queue is paused for the duration. The aarti includes shringar of the Pindis, recitation of the Vaishno Devi Aarti (composed by traditional priests of Hansali), shankhnaad, lamp-waving, distribution of prasad and final pranam.
- Cost: Free (Aarti Slip is required to be seated inside the cave during aarti)
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes — sunrise & sunset
- Booking: Aarti Slip is issued at the Aarti Counter near Gate 1, Bhawan, on first-come basis. Online slip booking is being expanded by SMVDSB for select dates.
- Dress code: Traditional clothing recommended. Leather items are not permitted inside the cave.
2. Akhand Jyot (Continuous Lamp)
An Akhand Jyot is a ghee lamp lit in your name and kept burning inside the Bhawan complex for a fixed duration. The most popular variants:
| Type | Duration | Contribution (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Akhand Jyot — Yearly | 12 months | ₹2,500 (subject to revision) |
| Akhand Jyot — 9 months | 9 months (Navratri to Navratri) | ₹1,100 |
| Akhand Jyot — Monthly | 30 days | ₹500 |
Jyots can be booked online from the official SMVDSB portal, at the Booking Counter in Niharika Yatri Niwas (Katra) or at the Bhawan. A digital certificate & prasad is dispatched by post to the registered address.
3. Chandi Path & Durga Saptashati Recitation
A traditional Sahasra-Chandi recitation of the Durga Saptashati can be sponsored in your gotra. It is performed by SMVDSB-appointed Pandits in the Adhyatmik Bhawan adjacent to the cave.
- Single Chandi Path — around ₹5,100
- Nav-Chandi (9 paths) — around ₹11,000
- Shat-Chandi (100 paths) — around ₹51,000
Each booking includes prasad and a sankalp slip with your name and date.
4. Atka Bhent & Special Bhog
Devotees can sponsor the morning or evening Bhog offered to the Pindis. The sponsored bhog (typically halwa-puri, dry fruits and seasonal fruits) is later distributed as prasad. Cost ranges from ₹2,100 to ₹11,000 depending on the bhog size and the day chosen.
5. Free Bhojan (Langar) — Annapurna Bhawan
The Shrine Board operates three large bhojanalayas (langar halls) along the yatra route — at Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat and Bhawan — serving fresh sattvic food free of cost, 24×7. Menus rotate between rajma-chawal, kadhi-chawal, dal-chawal, halwa and seasonal vegetables. Drinking water filters, hand-wash counters and waste-segregation are managed at every hall.
6. Mundan, Chola Chadhana & Other Vows
- Mundan (tonsure of children): Permitted only at the designated Mundan Hall at the Adhkuwari complex. Free service. Barbers available 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- Chola Chadhana: Many devotees offer a red chunri as part of a vow. Chunris are accepted at the dedicated counter at Bhawan Gate 1.
- Kanjak puja: During Navratri ashtami, families can sponsor meals for nine young girls (Kanjakas) at the Bhojanalaya.
7. Online Puja, Prasad & e-Donation
The Shrine Board offers an online prasad delivery service — pilgrims unable to travel can order prasad delivered anywhere in India via India Post. Donations can also be made online; an 80-G income tax exemption certificate is issued automatically by email. See the Online Services page for direct links.
8. Maha Aarti on Special Days
A Maha Aarti with extended chanting and shringar is performed on Chaitra and Sharad Navratri Ashtami, Diwali Lakshmi puja and the SMVDSB foundation day (30 August). Limited free aarti slips are issued by ballot.
Aarti Etiquette & Dress Code
- Maintain silence and follow priest’s instructions inside the cave.
- No photography or video inside the cave.
- Wear modest clothing — head cover recommended for women, no shorts above the knee.
- Sit cross-legged on the floor in designated rows; elderly & differently-abled have priority seating.
- Mobile phones, leather wallets, belts and bags to be deposited at the cloak room before aarti.
Plan Around the Pujas
Pair this page with our timings & aarti schedule and the festivals calendar 2026 to time your yatra with the right ritual.