Katra Tourism

Katra is an important place in Jammu and Kashmir, located in Reasi district. It serves as one of the base camps for the tourists and pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi, a holy pilgrimage for Hindus.
The number of pilgrims visiting the holy place increased from 13.96 Lakhs (about 1.4 million) in 1986 to 104.95 Lakhs (about 10.5 million) in 2012. Till July 2013, the total number of tourists and pilgrims who had visited Katra was more than 57 Lakhs. As per estimates, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage zone provides employment to 27,000 people and helps to earn revenue to the extent of almost 500 crores annually. Vaishno Devi temple is located 10.5 kms away from Katra. Pilgrims have to register themselves at Katra before starting their trek. In any kind of accidental mishap, the registered pilgrims are entitled to Rs. 1 lakh as accidental coverage.

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. From here a trek of around 12 kms takes a pilgrim to the Holy Shrine. One can undertake this trek on foot or on horses/ponies or on palanquins (palkies or dolies). While most of the pilgrims prefer to go on foot, some who find it difficult to negotiate the climb hire a pony or a palanquin.
There are various Sarais/Dharamshalas in Katra, which provide good accommodation to the pilgrims, either free of cost or at a nominal price. While some of them do provide facilities to the pilgrims, many of these places have passed in the hands of certain people with vested interests who insist on the pilgrims buying offerings from their own shops located in the premises of these Sarais. Pilgrims should be careful of such elements as they tend to sell items at a price many times higher than their original value.