Katra

2 daysBest: Mar–Jun, Sep–NovPilgrimage#pilgrimage#trek#holy

Base town for the Vaishno Devi trek

Why this weekend?

Vaishno Devi trekBhairavnath templeArdh Kuwari cave

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The ascent
- Start
- Banj Ganga
- Ardhkuwari
- Cave darshan
- Bhairon link
Day 2 · The return
- Morning darshan
- Descent
- Town bazaar
- Return

Geography & terrain

Katra lies in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir at about 800 m, 50 km from Jammu and 700 km from Delhi — the pilgrimage base of the Vaishno Devi shrine, its yatra tracks, the bazaars and the hills set on the Trikuta's foothills.

History & culture

The town's story runs with the Vaishno Devi's worship — the base of the goddess's shrine of the Trikuta hills, with the town's growth from the small village to the pilgrimage city of the millions and the 13-km yatra of the track; the town's modern infrastructure of the ropeway and the helicopter and the langar services, with the Bhairon temple's link, gives Katra its yatra-base character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹800–2,000/night

Mid-range

₹2,000–4,000/night

Comfort

₹4,000+/night

Things to do

Holy cave
Yatra track
Cave shrines
Langar services
Trikuta hills

Eat & drink

Rogan josh (wazwan style)
Rista and yakhni
Kashmiri kahwa
Kheer

Getting there

Fly: Srinagar (SXR) / Jammu (IXJ)
Train: Jammu Tawi junction; Vande Bharat connects Srinagar
Road from Jammu: Srinagar 300 km / 8 hr
Getting around: Taxis, shared cabs, local buses

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹4,000–9,500 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹800–4,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹500–900
Per day · Activities: ₹400–800

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Kashmiri / Hindi / Urdu (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Connectivity: Good in towns; patchy in high valleys
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The yatra's permits run the online registration
The season (Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov) holds the clear track
The track asks the steady shoes and the warm layers

Frequently asked questions

What is Katra?

The pilgrimage base of the Vaishno Devi's yatra.

What is there to do?

The climb and the darshan of the cave.

How long is the visit?

Two days for the full yatra.