Katra,Jammu and Kashmir,India

Katra, a small town in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, is the gateway to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Nestled in the lap of the Trikuta Mountains, the town of Katra is approximately 42 km from Jammu and is a major stop-over destination for tourists visiting the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi.  

Katra generally serves as the base camp for all those devotees who visit Vaishno Devi and this has made Katra one of the most popular tourist destinations.

The town serves as base camp for pilgrims on their way to Vaishno Devi which is 13 km uphill. Yatris or pilgrims also have to get their Yatra Parchi (token numbers) at Banganga in Katra. This Yatra Parchi is essential for every pilgrim going to Vaishno Devi Temple.

Having a small population of approximately seven and a half thousand, the place is forever buzzing with shopkeepers selling various items and pony rides and auto rickshaws attracting pilgrims at the top of their voice.

Katra is also the place where travellers have to register before commencing their journey to the shrine at the top of the mountains. Registration at Katra gives the travellers an insurance cover of INR 1 lakh for the 13.5 km journey to the shrine.

Katra is a shoppers’ paradise. The markets of Katra stock dry fruits, garments and leather goods. It is a good place to buy garments embellished with Kashmiri embroidery. If you are a sports fan, then you can buy good quality cricket bats and baseball bats. Chunri’s, Shawls and Sari offered to Vaishno Devi by devotees can be bought from souvenir shops run by Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The town, situated at a height of approximately 750 metres, has plenty of accommodation options for the pilgrims. Free accommodation is also available at Katra which are provided registered trusts in the area.  

How to Reach

By Air:

 The nearest airport is located in Jammu which is just 50 kilometers away from Katra. There are numerous frequent flights towards Jammu from the major cities in India. One can select regular direct flight towards Jammu and then hire a taxi to reach the destination conveniently

By Train:

Travelers who prefer to travel by train can easily reach the destination as the nearest railway station is located in Jammu Tawi. This railway station is well connected to many cities in India. Most of the tourists prefer to travel by train, as it is considered as the most convenient option to reach the destination.

By Bus:

One can easily reach Katra via bus as well. Direct buses to Katra can be taken directly from the town of Jammu. Direct bus services are also available from Delhi to Katra which offer a comfortable travel. These buses are quite affordable as well and are the choice for many travelers.

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