Katra

Katra is a town and municipal council in Reasi district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies at the foothills of the Trikuta Range and functions as the principal gateway for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. The Vaishno Devi temple, one of Hinduism’s most revered shrines, is situated in the Trikuta Mountains at a distance of about 12.5 kilometers (roughly 8 miles) from Katra. Pilgrims travel along a designated route from the town to the shrine, relying on a mix of footpaths, shuttles, and services established to support the yatra.

The town’s economy is heavily oriented toward pilgrimage-related tourism, with a concentration of hotels, restaurants, shops, and services that cater to visitors throughout the year, and especially during peak pilgrimage seasons. Katra is connected by road to Jammu, Srinagar, and other regional centers; the nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, and the closest airport is Jammu Airport (also known as Satwari Airport).

Historically part of the broader Reasi district, Katra has seen rapid growth in infrastructure and services to accommodate the steady stream of pilgrims while maintaining local cultural and religious significance. Beyond its role as a base for Vaishno Devi, the town exemplifies the interplay between faith-based tourism and regional development in this part of northern India.

See also Vaishno Devi, Reasi district, Geography of Jammu and Kashmir.