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Katra Town, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains,
48 kms. from Jammu, serves as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine
of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long
well laid footpath. Every year, more than 4.5 million pilgrims pass through
Katra on their way to the holy shrine.
The cave shrine of Mata Vasihnodeviji or Trikuta Bhagwati (alt: 5,200 ft.)
has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment to millions of devotees from all
over the world. The pilgrimage to the Shrine holds great significance for
the pilgrims.
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HOW
TO REACH
Jammu, 48 kms from Katra, is the nearest airport, railhead and inter-state
bus terminus. Buses leave for Katra at 10 minute intervals between 5:30 a.m
and 8:30 p.m. During peak season, additional buses are pressed into service.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to travel Katra is between July & March.
WHAT TO SEE
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 kilometre 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.
WHERE TO EAT
There are few good restaurants which serves delicious vegetarian food.
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