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.
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.
Another holy stop when moving towards Vaishno Devi is Ban Ganga. It is one of the best places to visit in Katra. The Shivalik Range of Himalayas is where this Ganga originates from and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Kahsmir in June. 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.
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.
Baba Dhansar is another of the many must-visit holy places in Katra. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the ideal place to visit around the town of 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.
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.
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.
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.
Shivkhori, a divine shrine of an avatar of Lord Shiva, is located in the lap of nature in the form of a cave on a hillock in Udhampur district in India's own Heaven on Earth, Jammu and Kashmir. The 4-foot lingam was formed naturally in a cave. This self-manifested lingam of Lord Shiva is also known as Swayambhu and is of great importance in Hindu religion. According to some, the cave is dedicated to one of the forms of Lord Shiva, which is believed to be unborn and invisible. As one explores the cave, they experience the divine aura of this form of Lord Shiva. Shivkhori is an enchanting destination famous for its religious belief. The route inside the cave is challenging for many, and the thrill is worth experiencing as devotees are sure to feel blessed at the sight of the idol.
Bhaderwah is a town located in the district of Doda in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, it has been given the status of sub-district. A thrilling horse ride can be enjoyed around the valleys to have a look around the beautiful landscape. Skiing can be enjoyed on the slopes of the snow-filled mountains.
Patnitop it is a famous hill station in the Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir, known for endless meadows and panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Along with the widespread abundance in sceneries, Patnitop is known for activities like skiing and trekking as well as water springs.
Jammu is the southernmost-part of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir which sits proudly on the magnificent Shivalik mountain ranges. The Winter Capital of Kashmir, Jammu is a holy and peaceful city known for its majestic temples, religious shrines, glittering "shikhars", and cultural heritage. Since it is also the starting point to the hugely popular Vaishno Devi Temple and Amarnath Yatra, it is visited by tourists from far and wide.
