Katra is a small town situated on the scenic Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir in Udhampur district. It is essentially famous for Maa Vaishno Devi – one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage places. But there’s a lot more to Katra apart from being just a pilgrimage destination. There are many religious, historical and beautiful places to visit in Katra situated in and around that are worth exploring. It is also a shopper’s paradise. You can buy leather goods, fruits, carpets and other exciting stuff from the main market here. If you are planning a trip to this divine place, consider these attractions too in order to enjoy a complete tour.
12 Places To Visit In Katra
Katra in Jammu and Kashmir is a town known for its various aspects that are worth exploring. Here are 12 best places to visit in Katra that no traveller should miss. These fascinating tourist attractions in Katra, that will undoubtedly offer you a feeling of exploration!
- Maa Vaishno Devi Temple – Seek Blessings
- Charan Paduka – See Vaishnavi Maa’s Footprints
- Ban Ganga – Take A Refreshing Dip
- Bhairavnath Temple – Take In The Majestic Views
- Baba Dhansar – Bask In Natural Beauty
- Himkoti – Have A Picnic
- Bagh-e-Bahu – Stroll In The Garden
- Sanasar – Go Paragliding
- Jhajjar Kotli – Get A Spa Therapy
- Raghunath Temple – Stunning Architecture And Interior Design
- Ranbireshwar Temple – Dedicated To Lord Shiva
- Dera Baba Banda – Pilgrimage Centre For The Sikhs
1. Maa Vaishno Devi Temple – Seek Blessings
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When we think of Katra, the only place that immediately comes to mind is the Vaishno Devi temple. The temple is situated amidst Trikuta mountains. The shrine has a cave where Mata appeared in three rock forms, known as Pindies. The entry gate to the yatra is called Darshani Darwaza and is located 1 km from the bus stand.
To reach the holy shrine, you have to trek 13-kilometers uphill from Katra. There are horse and palanquin services for the elderly and weak. There is also the option of taking a helicopter ride till Sanjichhat and walking 2.5 km from there to reach the shrine. Sanjichhat is one of the gorgeous places to visit near Katra Vaishno Devi from where you can enjoy splendid view of the Himalayas.
Location: Bhavan, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182301
Timings: 5 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM
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2. Charan Paduka – See Vaishnavi Maa’s Footprints
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This is among the most auspicious places to see in Katra that lies on the way to the cave or bhawan of Maa Vaishno Devi. Charan Paduka is where the foot imprints of Maa can be seen on a rock slab. Mata Vaishno Devi or Vaishnavi was being chased by Bhairavnath, the saint turned demon. She was moving towards her cave when she decided to rest here for a while. That is when her footprints got lodged in the rocks. Visit Charan Paduka to seek the blessings of Mata before continuing your ascend to her cave.
Location: Katra, Jammu
Timings: NA
3. Ban Ganga – Take A Refreshing Dip
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Another holy stop when moving towards Vaishno Devi is Ban Ganga. It is one of the best famous places in Katra. The Shivalik Range of Himalayas is where this Ganga originates from and it is one of the best places to visit Kahsmir . Once Mata Vaishanvi was going towards her abode in the cave when the monkey accompanying her felt thirsty. With no water around, Maa shot an arrow in the earth, out of which the Ganga sprang up. That gave it the name Ban (arrow) Ganga.
Interestingly, it is also called Bal (hair) Ganga, as it is believed that Maa washed her hair in it. Ban or Bal Ganga offers relaxation to devotees while on the trek to the Devi’s temple. Take a dip and feel fresh and blissful before continuing the journey to other tourist places in Katra.
Location: Katra, Jammu
Timings: NA
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4. Bhairavnath Temple – Take In The Majestic Views
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After drenching in the spirit and energy of Maa in Vaishno Devi temple, move up a bit to pay Baba Bhairavnath a visit, one of the best Katra sightseeing places. You just have to walk 2 to 3 km upwards from Vaishno Devi to reach Bhairavnath temple. The view up here is more majestic and mesmerizing.
This one of the religious places to visit near katra is dedicated to saint Bhairav who later turned demonic. He was killed by Maa Vaishno Devi here. Since he resented his sins, he was forgiven. This place is termed as important as Vaishno Devi because it was Maa herself who proclaimed the pilgrimage to my shrine will be incomplete without visiting Bhairavnath temple.
Location: Trikuta parvat, Reasi District, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182301, India
Timings: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
5. Baba Dhansar – Bask In Natural Beauty
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Baba Dhansar is another of the many must-visit holy places of Katra tourism. It is located less than 13 kilometers from Katra and there are plenty to awesome homestays and guest houses in Katra located near this place. It requires climbing stairs, around 100 of them. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with an interesting legend associated with it. Apart from the beautiful temple, what attracts tourists at this place are a series of marvellous waterfalls and lush greenery all around.
Location: Katra, 182301
Timings: NA
Suggested Read: 15 Best Houseboats In Kashmir: A Treat For Nature Buffs!
6. Himkoti – Have A Picnic
Take some time out from your pilgrimage to holy shrines to rest and admire the natural beauty of Himkoti. Bask in the splendid view of the hill stations near Katra, dense and magnetic greenery, and the calming environment. It is also a great place to relax and have a picnic with family. Home to awe-striking natural gifts, Himkoti can be easily counted as one of the best Katra tourist places.
Location: Himkoti, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
Timings: NA
7. Baag-e-Bahu – For History Lovers
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Baag-e-Bahu is one of the unusual places to visit in Katra. It is situated around 45 km away from Katra. It is an ideal place to remove all your tiredness after visiting the various holy shrines.
If you are a history lover and your body isn’t too tired from the pilgrimage, visit the famous Bahu Fort near the garden. There is a riveting tale associated with the fort and the creation of Jammu. There is also a temple dedicated to Maa Kali inside the fort.
Location: Gorkha Nagar, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir 180006
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
Suggested Read: 27 Best Places To Visit In Jammu For A Beautiful Escape
8. Sanasar – Go Paragliding
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Popularly called ‘Mini Gulmarg’, Sanasar is located some 17 km away from Patnitop. It is a little away from Katra; you will have to travel for around 3 hours on road to reach the location. The place is a marvellous abode of mesmerizing lake, hills and forests.
It also lets you indulge in adrenaline sports like paragliding, hot air ballooning, and horse riding during summer in Kashmir. There are various attractions in Sanasar to occupy you the whole day. Visit Nag Temple, Hidden Creek, Sanasar Lake, and do witness the waterfalls.
Location: Katra, Jammu
Timings: NA
9. Jhajjar Kotli – Get A Spa Therapy
Jhajjar Kotli is listed among the famous places to visit in Katra. Your idea of a perfect picnic will come true here at Jhajjar Kotli. This is among the ideal places to visit in Katra when you are traveling with your family. Being here feels like giving a rejuvenating spa to your senses. Due to its surroundings and soothing vibes, this is one of the most-visited places near Katra. This relaxing spot is located 15 kilometers away from Katra.
Location: Kotli Jhajjar181221
Timings: NA
Suggested Read: 8 Hotels In Katra To Consider For Your Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage
10. Raghunath Temple – Stunning Architecture And Interior Design
Image Credit – Pashminu for Pixabay
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Raghunath Temple is located at a distance of 8 kms from the city of Jammu. It was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh and is among the best places to visit in Katra. Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple is amongst the largest temples in the Northern India. Other idol in the temples include Lord Krishna, Ganesh Ji, and other Hindu deities.
The temple reflects the Mughal architectural style and the main tower is built in Sikh architectural style. You can also have a look at the paintings depicting the religious verses of the Holy Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Location: Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182320
Timings: 6 am to 8 pm
11. Ranbireshwar Temple – Dedicated To Lord Shiva
Image Credit – Richa for Wikimedia
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ranbireshwar Temple is one of the other top places to visit in Katra. It is among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva in India and is visited by devotees in large numbers to seek blessings of the divine God. It is mostly crowded during major festivals like Deepawali, Lohri, Ram Navami and MakaraSakranti.
Location: Shalamar Road near ciivil secretariat
Timings: NA
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12. Dera Baba Banda – Pilgrimage Centre For The Sikhs
Image Credit – Naresh for Wikimedia
A must-visit pilgrimage centre for the Sikhs, Dera Baba Banda is another famous Katra sightseeing places. The complex is 300 years old and has a Gurudwara built by Guru Gobind Singh’s favorite Baba Banda Bairaagi. Built with white marble stone, Gurudwara’s interior design and architecture is really commendable. Pilgrims visit in large numbers here during the annual mela organised in Vaisakhi for three days.
Location: Shalamar Road near ciivil secretariat
Timings: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Best Time To Visit Katra
Image Credit: Vinayaraj for Wikimedia
The best time to visit the beautiful town of Katra is from March to November. It is an ideal time to explore the scenic beauty and temples owing to favorable weather conditions. If you are traveling to Katra during winter season, make sure to carry woolen clothes.
Further Read: 23 Things To Do In Kashmir
Katra is a natural and divine wonder for any traveller. When you visit Katra, don’t just plan on visiting Vaishno Devi. Get soaked in the beauty of the town by giving all or most of the places listed here a visit. We hope you liked this list of places to visit in Katra and it’ll come in handy when you are planning a trip to Jammu.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Katra
What is Katra famous for?
Katra is a scenic town in Jammu and Kashmir known for Goddess Vaishno Devi's famous temple. The temple is renowned, and hundreds of tourists visit the shrine each year to pay their respects to the Goddess.
What is the best time to visit Katra?
Katra enjoys a sub-tropical climate. The summers are quite hot and winters are tolerable, even pleasant. The best time to visit Katra is from March to November.
What are things to do in Katra?
Apart from darshan in holy shrines, there is plenty of sightseeing and adventurous activities to do in Katra. The place is a delight for a nature lover with its breath-taking view of hills, waterfalls, streams, greenery all around. Adventure junkies can indulge in paragliding, trekking, white water rafting, horse riding and more. There are also plenty of shopping centers for the shopaholic here.
How many days are enough for Katra?
Since it’s a small town, with places of importance situated close to each other, a 2-3 day trip is enough to see all the important places in Katra. But if you wish to visit places around Katra, you may need to extend the trip to a day or two.
How to reach Katra?
There are no direct flights to Katra since it doesn’t have an airport. You can take a flight or train till Jammu, the nearest place. From there, Katra is 49 km away. You can take a cab to reach Katra from Jammu.
Where can I go near Katra?
You can go to McLeod Ganj, Dalhousie, Baba dhansar, Patnitop, Pahalgam, Chandanwari
Is there a famous shopping center in Katra?
If you are looking for shopping in Katra, then Katra Main Bazaar is a popular area where you can pick everything locally. Shop for tasty dry fruits, shawls and other traditional clothes, artifacts and much more.
At what altitude is Katra located?
Katra is located on the foot of Trikuta or 3 peaked mountains. It is located at an altitude of 2,871 ft. above sea level.
What is there in Katra apart from Vaishno Devi?
Katra is home to many holy shrines apart from Vaishno Devi. It is also a beautiful place with breath-taking hills, dense forests, lovely streams, and waterfalls. It is a great place for not just devotees but also for nature lovers.
Which are the best places to eat in Katra?
When you are in Katra, look out for these restaurants to enjoy delicious local cuisine- Prem Vaishno Dhaba, Saini Rajasthani Vaishno Dhaba, Punjabi Haveli, Gulshan Da Dhaba, and Madhuban.
What is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi?
Best time to visit is March through October as the weather is cool and pleasant, and many pilgrims pay their respects during this time. However, Vaishno Devi is open for pilgrims throughout the year.
What is the local food of Katra?
If you talk about combinations than the best known combination is ‘Aalo ka paratha’ with ‘Bangan ka bharta’ but there’s no match for the delicious Indian local food i.e., Paranthas and Rajma chawal.
Which hill station is near Katra?
There are various hill stations near Katra like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Patnitop, and Sonmarg.
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