Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, 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. Over the years, a lot has changed, but main attractions include the "bazaar" (market) for buying souvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc. To reach Vaishno Devi, the pilgrims have to register at Katra before starting the trek. By registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance up to 100,000 INR while on the trek of 14 km. There is another trek of 2.5 km from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba Bhaironnath. Electric Vehicles and helicopter services are available for pilgrims.
Often called 'heaven on earth', Kashmir offers everything a traveller can ever dream of. Surrounded by natural beauty, Kashmir is a scenic destination that has attracted families, honeymoon couples, and solo travellers from across the globe. There are a number of must-visit places in Kashmir that should be on your list. The region changes with every season. Any time you visit will be a unique and memorable experience; the place is snow-covered heaven in winters, transforming into a vibrant paradise in the summer months. One visit to Kashmir is never really enough and every season is an opportunity to discover something unique and explore different locations.
