This is the most important part of the pilgrimage. No body is allowed to have a Darshan without this compulsory slip issued by the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board.  A word of caution here the Shrine Board is the only legal authority to issue Yatra Slips so don’t fall prey to any body promising Yatra Slips for a sum.  The registration for the Yatra is done absolutely free of cost and fully computerized. At Katra the YRC or Yatra Registration counter is located at the Niharika (main) Bus Stand and you need to queue up at this place to get the parchis.  Some important points are given here regarding the Yatra slip or parchi.

•Time limit to cross first chek post: Yatris carrying the parchi(slip ) are required to cross the first Check Post  at Banganga some 1.5 kilometers from the YRC within a time span of 6 hours  from the time of  issuing  of the slip.  Failing to maintain the time schedule the slip is confiscated at the Check Post. One has to again take a fresh slip altogether

•Timings of YRC:Yatra registration counter timings is as follows

6 AM to 10 PM

•One Yatra slip per family: Please note that you will be issued one Yatra Slip for a maximum of 9 family members. In case your family or group is large more than one Yatra slip is needed.   For very large groups a separate Yatra slip is to be taken for each of the families.

•Disciplinary action: There is stern disciplinary action taken against any one found without the Yatra slips.at Darbar (Bhawan) or en-route. So be careful if you do not want to be turned back.

•Waiting slips: Please remember that in a single day around 23000 to 24000 pilgrims are allowed to ascend to the shrine. But during peak periods like weekends during the summer months of May and June, mid  December or any other block of school/college/office holidays  get ready to experience heavy rush.

In this type of situation Yatris are made to wait at Katra itself.  Instead of the mandatory yatra slips red/pink waiting slips are issued. After waiting is over the next morning or at whatever time as per shrine Board officials these slips have to be validated at the YRC. These slips are then taken back and the original yatra slips are issued. The pilgrims can only then resume their journey.

•Yatra Counter No. II:  For reducing the long waiting time in the main YRC, Shrine Board officials have now opened a second Yatra counter. The Yatra Counter No II (YRC-II) is located near the second bus stand at a distance of one km away from the main Yatra counter on Udhampur road. The counter undertakes usual registration as well as issues Yatra slips for large groups. So if you are large single group say one bus load or more it is better to head for YRC-II as your buses or coaches can also be parked near to this place. Timings for YRC-II are as follows:

•Online Yatra slips: To avoid long queues and test of patience, use technology to your benefit. You can visit the official website of Shri Mata Vaishno  Devi Shrine Board  and get yourself registered. After your registration you are now eligible to purchase online yatra slips.The online yatra slips can be availed 30 days before your yatra date. From the website you can check the availability of tickets and book accordingly. A nominal sum of 50 rupees is charged per head. Children below 10 are free. There is 1000 such parchis issued online daily. You can use your credit/ debit cards to book. After payment take a print out of this online ticket. Now you are eligible to proceed towards Banganga check post to enter the gate for yatra. You are also now eligible for receiving a bag full of prasad at the Bhawan against this ondier and smooth journey.

•Compulsory Insurance:  All pilgrims on registration at the YRC gets automatically and compulsorily insured. This insurance is against any possible accidental causality on way   to the Holy Shrine. This is a completely free insurance to all the yatris. The insurance amount is Rs.1, 00,000 for majors and Rs. 25000 for minors. This is applicable for accidental deaths only.