BEST TIME TO VISIT VAISHNO DEVI KATRA

Vaishno Devi temple is open for the whole year. It is accessible for the entire year. So it becomes easy for the pilgrims to visit the temple according to their convenience. Rest, which season you choose to visit totally depends on which weather you are most comfortable in.

The months from March to June mark the summer time, with sun shining bright and a cool time to visit the temple for people who want to avoid the snow or chily winds of winter. This time is good especially for people who wish to visit the Vaishno Devi temple by helicopter as the sky remains clear and the helicopter service operates uninterrupted. Also, Navratri falls in the month of April. Pilgrims go in huge numbers during the nine Navratri days as these days are considered to be very auspicious.
Next, the months of July to mid August - this is the rainy season. Although pilgrims do visit at this time also, but it is usually not advised because of chances of landslides and less frequent operations of flight.
After August, comes the time from September to November. This time the weather is very pleasant. Its neither chilly nor hot. Also, festival of Navratri comes during this time, either by the end of September or the starting of October. The temple is very beautifully decorated. Its a delight to watch the temple and its premises ( Bhavan ) during the Navratri festival. Special guests come to sing at the Aarti, even celebrities like Kapil Sharma and more.
Then comes, the time of December. Till mid of the month, not many people visit the temple because of the year end exams going on in the schools during this time, so its less crowdy. But the weather is quite cold because of the winter season during this time. After mid December, people come in huge numbers because of the Christmas holidays and New year eve. People wish to start their new year with the blessings of Maa Vaishno Devi.
The winter season continues till February. The winter is at its peak in the month of January with clouds and fog becoming dense. Pilgrims keep visiting the Vaishno Devi temple during these months as well until the fog becomes dense, when trains and flights are not able to reach on time & the helicopter operations also almost stop.
During the last few years, the incidents of fog and clouds have been less due to climate change. The weather has been chilly but with clear skies and sun shining bright. So, the pilgrims have come to the Maa Vaishnodevi temple without any problems. You just need to wear proper warm layers during this time. Some even enjoy the snow as Maa Vaishno Devi temple looks like a winter wonderland submerged in spirituality. It looks like a holy white land and is extremely beautiful.
Also, during the time of February, the temple is less crowdy and its during this time that the temple management opens the old cave ( Purani Gufa ) from where Maa Vaishnodevi reached the temple area and then meditated here for a long time and finally made the temple her adobe. No time is fixed, the temple authorities open the cave for darshan on any random date and time, but its usually during this time only. So, you need to be lucky to see this old cave.
So, whichever time you choose to visit the maa vaishno Devi temple totally depends on your convenience and which weather you feel the most comfortable in. With the special services like helicopter, battery car and ropeway, the Yatra to Maa Vaishno Devi has become very easy. You just need to make the bookings at the right time.
Rest, it is believed that when Mata Rani wishes for you to seek her blessings, then only final plans to visit this holy temple will materialise.