About Katra Tourism
Katra is a vibrant little town lying in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, Jammu Kashmir. Pilgrimage and tourism in Katra is majorly popular for the widely revered Vaishno Devi Temple. A trip to Katra would also give you the chance to witness the breathtaking Himalayan landscape. It is a perfect getaway destination for spending a few days away from the strain of your daily life and be surrounded by spiritual ambience and incredible natural beauty.
When it comes to tourism places to visit in Katra, most people simply think about the Maa Vaishno Devi. While this temple is indeed the most prominent site in Katra, this town there are also several other places to visit in and near the town. Katra is also considered to be a shopper’s paradise. You can buy leather goods, carpets, Kashmiri motifs, cane baskets and several other types of items from its local market.
Keep reading to get more information about Katra tourism in India. You can also get it touch with our Guest Relations team any time you want, to know more about planning a trip to Katra and exploring this pilgrimage destination. We can curate a cost-effective itinerary for a Katra trip that aligns with your needs and budget.
Best Time to Visit Katra
Pilgrimage and tourism in Katra are popular throughout the year. While you can visit this town almost any time you want, the best months to visit ideally would be from November to March. Katra stays fairly pleasant and cool during the winters, with the nights becoming a bit chilly. This time would be ideal for enjoying a comfortable trek to the Vaishno Devi Temple. You must also remember to carry heavy woollen clothes if you visit Katra in the winter.
Experience The Best Of Katra
The itinerary of Katra tourism packages should ideally include the following places:
Vaishno Devi Temple:
Located at an altitude of approximately 5,300 feet above sea level, the Vaishno Devi Temple is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the world for Hindus. Several thousands of devotees from across India and abroad visit the Vaishno Devi Temple every year to seek blessings. The goddess is manifested in three forms at the temple, namely Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati, and Maha Lakshmi. To reach the temple you will have to go on a walking journey of 13 km while enjoying stunning views of the mountains throughout. Vaishno Devi Temple is situated in the Trikuta Mountains, and is the biggest highlight of Katra tourism in India. On your trip to the Vaishno Devi Temple, you should try your best to wear comfortable and sturdy footwear suitable for trekking, as the terrain can be a bit uneven at times.
Charan Paduka:
This is an important significant spiritual landmark whose name translates to 'Footprint of the Lord'. Charan Paduka temple is perched at an elevation of 3,380 feet above sea level. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu had set his foot on earth at this place. It is also a popular belief that the temple marks the sacred spot where the Goddess stopped and looked back while being chased by the demon Bhairon Nath. Over the years, Charan Paduka has become an important spot for both pilgrims and tourists on their way to the Vaishno Devi temple.
Ban Ganga:
An important part of Katra city tourism, Ban Ganga is the place where many devotees choose to take a dip into the river while on their way to the Vaishno Devi temple. The river is a key tributary of the Chenab River and gets its name from two words Ban and Ganga. Ban means Arrow and Ganga stands for the sacred river of India, Ganges. According to Hindu Mythological tales, Mata Vaishno Devi shot an arrow into the ground which caused the river to flow. Ban Ganga originates from the southern slope of the Shivalik Range of Himalayas and has two ghats where you can take a dip.
Bhairavnath Temple:
Standing as a symbol of the victory of Mata Vaishno Devi over evil, this is among the most important pilgrimage and tourism places to visit in Katra. Devotees visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple often include a visit to the Bhairavnath Temple as well. The trek to this temple is surrounded by gorgeous scenic beauty.
Nau Devi Temple:
This sacred shrine is dedicated to nine incarnations of the Goddess Durga. This 200-year-old shrine is surrounded by a river and houses nine idols of goddesses that are adorned with silver ornaments. These idols are housed in small cave-like openings, thereby creating an intimate space for worship. Nau Devi Temple is situated in a cave, and you have to ascend by climbing a flight of stairs.
How To Reach Katra
Depending on your location and convenience, you can reach Katra by air, rail and road.
Air: The Satwari Airport in Jammu is the nearest airport to Katra. This airport is well-connected to most major Indian cities. You can easily get a cab or bus from Jammu to reach Katra.
Rail: The Katra Railway Station lies on the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link. It has fairly limited connectivity. Hence, if you want to reach Katra by train, it would be better to find a train to Jammu Tawi Railway Station. It is the nearest major railhead to Katra and is well-connected to major Indian cities via regular trains. You can easily get a cab or bus from Jammu to reach Katra.
Road: Katra is well-connected to Jammu by State and National Highways. Direct buses to this town are available from Amritsar, Dharamshala, Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu and several other cities.
Katra reviews
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Highlights of Kashmir
"Kashmir Tour *****/A : Dear Sir/Madam, It was my first tour with Veena World. Everything such as stay,food, transportation etc was g... Read more
Wonders of Kashmir
"This was our third trip with Veena World, and it turned out to be a dream vacation to the stunning Kashmir. We were delighted to meet o... Read more
Seniors' Special Kashmir
": Exlent experience .tour maneger helpfull &very good . Suresh Pawar"
Delights of Kashmir
"It was our 1st tour with Veena world. Everything such as stay, food, transportation etc. was much beyond our expectations. Thanks a t... Read more
Women's Special Kashmir
"The tour was fantastic, and we had a great time on our trip. The tour managers were very supportive and helpful throughout the journey.... Read more
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Katra is set in the stunning hills of the lower Himalayas. It is a highly revered religious destination in Jammu. It is the base camp for pilgrims and devotees visiting the sacred shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, which makes Katra tourism in India highly popular. The expedition to the Vaishno Devi shrine from Katra is a long but delightful walking journey, full of beautiful views and a vibrant, spiritual ambience. There are several other attractions in and near Katra that would make your trip worthwhile.
Book the Best Katra Tourism Packages with Veena World
To enjoy your trip comfortably, without any hassle, you can simply book a pilgrimage and sightseeing tour for Katra from Veena World. No matter whether you are planning the tour with your family or just your partner, we have plenty of options for you. You can explore Katra tourism packages available on our website, and book the one that meets your preference and price range. You can also give our Guest Relations Team a call anytime if you have any questions or queries.
