Katra
Gateway to Vaishno Devi
Katra is the small Himalayan town that opens the door to one of India's most-visited shrines — Mata Vaishno Devi, set 5,200 ft up in the Trikuta mountains. Millions of pilgrims begin the 13 km trek from here every year, making it the spiritual heart of the Jammu region.
Beyond the yatra, Katra is a comfortable, well-connected base with hotels, dhabas and viewpoints. It is the natural first stop on a Jammu–Kashmir road trip and an easy pickup point from Jammu airport and railway station.
The Vaishno Devi trek
The climb to the Bhawan begins at Banganga and winds through Charanpaduka and Adhkuwari to the holy cave. Walk it at your own pace, or choose ponies, palki, battery-operated cars on the new track, or a helicopter to Sanjichhat. Whichever you pick, our drivers handle Katra drop-off, parking and timed pickups so the family travels stress-free.
What else to see
Add Bhairavnath Temple above the Bhawan, the ropeway, and the Jammu temple circuit — Raghunath Temple and the hilltop Bahu Fort — on the way in or out. Many travellers pair Katra with Patnitop's pine meadows for a two-day Jammu leg before heading to the Kashmir valley.
Highlights
- Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan & holy cave
- Bhairavnath Temple and the Sanjichhat ropeway
- Helicopter, battery-car and pony options on the track
- Trikuta mountain viewpoints
- Easy day-trips to Patnitop & Jammu temples
