KATRA
"KATRA VAISHNO DEVI"
A small town located in foothills of Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, Katra is a popular pilgrimage for millions of Hindus. The town is in the vicinity of Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, situated in the Trikuta Mountains. Every year pilgrims undertake a challenging 13.5 km long trek to reach the shrine. This speaks volumes about their devotion towards the Goddess.
They believe that the Goddess will fulfill their wishes and consider the temple as one of the holiest of the Shakti Peethas (holy places representing cosmic energy).Though Vaishno Devi is the main attraction of the town, there are numerous places to explore. Bhairon Temple is an important pilgrimage site, and the temple has interesting legends related to it. Another auspicious temple is the Adhkunwari, 6 km from Katra. The cave is very narrow and can only accommodate one person at a time. Katra also has numerous places for sightseeing which provide picturesque views, such as Himkoti, Banganga, Baba Dhansar and many more. All of these are great places to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Set in the spectacular hills of the lower Himalayas, about 31 miles from Jammu, this small town serves as a jumping-off point for one of the world’s great pilgrimages. Indian spiritual legend says that those who visit the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi will be granted any righteous wish they make. Devotees hike roughly eight miles to the shrine, which is located at 5,300 feet. Scenic helicopter flights also transport visitors to the site, which draws more than five million people annually.
Near By Place To Visit
VAISHNO DEVI
Vaishno Devi Temple, located in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India, is one of the most revered and popular pilgrimage destinations in the country. Nestled in the Trikuta Mountains at an altitude of approximately 5,200 feet, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Mahalakshmi.
RANBIRESHWAR TEMPLE
The temple has a central `lingam` measuring 8-feet in height, constructed out of black stone, is the biggest in India. It was under the built of the Dogra rulers; also enshrining 12 shivlings in crystal, measuring 15cm to 38cm. Galleries with 1.25 lakh `bona lingam` brought from Narmada River, can be witnessed on stone slabs inside the temple. There are also mammoth images of Ganesha, Kartikeya and Nandi Bull.
ARDH KUARI
Ardhkuwari Gufa, Vaishno Devi OverviewThe 52ft long Ardhkuwari is also known as Garbajoon Cave, as the shape of the cave resembles a mother’s womb. The devotees believe that when Mata Vaishno killed Bhairav his head fly off into the valley while his body remained in the Ardh Kuwari Cave.
DHANSAR TEMPLE
The holy place of Baba Dhansar is located at Karua Jheel (pond) near village Karua, 17 km from Reasi towards Katra in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir State, India. The approach involves a walk of 200 metres from the road. It is a belief[that when Lord Shiva went to the Amarnath cave to tell Parvati the story of his immortality, he left his serpent king, Sheshnag at Anantnag. Shesh Nag came in the human form as Vasudev. One of the sons of Vasudev was Dhansar who was a saintly person.
SHIV KHORI
Shiv Khori Temple, located near Katra in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is renowned for its naturally formed Shiva Lingam inside a sacred cave, drawing devotees seeking spiritual solace and divine blessings.
BHAIRO BABA TEMPLE
Bhairo Baba Temple is situated atop the Trikuta Mountains near Katra, Jammu, and is visited by devotees as part of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, believed to be the final destination where Goddess Vaishno Devi transformed into a rock to evade the pursuit of the formidable Bhairon Nath.