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Travel destination in India, Katra
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General Information about KATRA

Katra :
Altitude : 2500 meters.
Language : Hindi, Kashmiri and Urdu.
Best Time to Visit : March-April and September-October.
State : Jammu & Kashmir.
Location : 50 Kms from Jammu.
STD Code : 02766-864 .
About Katra

Katra is the small town around 50 kms from Jammu and at an altitude of about 2500 feet above sea level, Katra is the base camp for the Yatra to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. It is the entry point for the pilgrims visiting the world famous shrine of Vaishno Devi. The pilgrims are expected to take a trek of around 15 kms to visit the shrine from Katra. Although a tedious trek, it has scenic and picturesque surroundings with a climate that is pleasant enough to go with the faith of the pilgrims.

HOW TO REACH THERE

By Air : Jammu- 62 kms is the nearest airport.

By Road : Jammu-Katra- 48 kms and Katra-Vaishno Devi-14 kms Route from Katra to Vaishno Devi: Katra - Ban Ganga Ban Ganga - Charan Paduka ,Charan Paduka - Adhkunwari ,Adhkunwari - Bhavan- 8 kms.

By Rail : Jammu Tawi is the nearest railhead.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN KATRA

• Vaihsno Devi : The holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located at a height of 5,300 feet in a beautiful recess of the Trikuta mountains, forming a part of the lower Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir. The journey here takes you through awesome wilderness amidst snow- capped mountains and sprawling forests, to the shrine, sacred and mystical.

• Bhairon Mandir : It is believed that the journey to Mata's shrine is complete only after visiting the shrine of Bhairon, 2.5 km from the Bhawan, on your way back. You have to collect your belongings before going to this shrine, as the return path from the Bhairon shrine joins the main path at Sanji Chatt.

• Aghar Jitto : Just 5 km away from Katra is Aghar Jitto, the Shrine of Baba Jitto, a devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and a revolutionary who led a campaign against the feudal order. According to legends, a dip in the holy spring water, flowing in front of the shrine, does miracles to pre-natal women for safe delivery of children. A path from here leads to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.

• Dera Baba Banda : At about 30 kms from Katra lies this major Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda Bairaagi was Guru Gobind Singh's favourite 'Saint-soldier', who had the gurudwara constructed on the banks of river Chenab, where he spent his last days.

• Baba Dhansar : Located 10 kms from Katra (1 km on foot) is Baba Dhansar, a beautiful and cool picnic spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before flowing into the holy Banganga. Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed 'Shivling' on which droplets of water fall naturally all the year round. A major 'mela' (fair) is held here during Shivratri.

• Shiv Khori : This holy cave is nearly a kilometer long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed 'Shivling'. It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. There are stalactites & stalagmites dripping milky limestone water from the ceiling. Situated at a distance of about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms from Katra, Shiv Khori hosts a major fair on Shivratri day every year.   
 
 
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