Over the years, a lot has changed, but one should not miss the opportunity to walk through the main bazaar (market) for buying (do not forget/hesitate to negotiate a bit) souvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc. To reach Vaishno Devi Mandir (temple) the pilgrims have to register at the Katra before starting the trek. By registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance while on the trek for 1 lakh INR. It is a trek of 14 km. There is another trek (1.5 km) from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba Bhaironnath. It is said that the pilgrimage is not complete until you visit this temple at last. The scenery throughout the trek is picturesque. Environment-friendly auto rickshaws and helicopter services are available, to make the journey a pleasant one.
Katra (Vaishno Devi)
Jammu & Kashmir
North
Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Reasi district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi is located. It is located 42 km from the city of Jammu. Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi. It has a thriving tourism industry that offers plenty of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, dhabas, fast-food joints that fit all kinds of budgets. Free accommodation is provided by some registered trusts in the form of Sarais for the poor. The number of pilgrims that visit the shrine every year has increased from 1.4 million in 1986 to 8.2 million in 2009.
Distance from:
Banihal
159 KMSrinagar
266 KMBaramulla
319 KMNew Delhi
649 KMKatra (Vaishno Devi)
Jammu & Kashmir
North
Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Reasi district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi is located. It is located 42 km from the city of Jammu. Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi. It has a thriving tourism industry that offers plenty of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, dhabas, fast-food joints that fit all kinds of budgets. Free accommodation is provided by some registered trusts in the form of Sarais for the poor. The number of pilgrims that visit the shrine every year has increased from 1.4 million in 1986 to 8.2 million in 2009.
Distance from:
Banihal
159 KMSrinagar
266 KMBaramulla
319 KMNew Delhi
649 KMMore About Katra (Vaishno Devi)
Places to Visit
How to Get There?
Airport
- Jammu - 48 Km
- Poonch - 226 Km
- Srinagar - 270 Km
Railway
- Udhampur - 44 Km
- Banihal - 161 Km
- Anantnag - 212 Km
Bus
- Patnitop - 82 Km
- Kotli - 176 Km
- Anantnag - 215 Km
- Gulmarg - 314 Km
Road
- Jammu - 44 Km
- Kishtwar - 203 Km
- Shopian - 276 Km
- Sopore - 313 Km