More Attractions

Katra situated at an altitude of over 2,800 feet and ensconced in a mountain set-up has scenic beauty, wholesome water and salubrious temperate climate. It is a good summer resort.

The surroundings abound in a good number of sacred sites, other than the Vaishno Devi Cave, and charming natural spots. Pilgrims can easily combine their visit to the holy cave with sojourns at other attractive sites and add to their bliss.

Here are some of these sacred and scenic spots.

PINDIAN: A few miles away from Katra is, Pindian at the foot of the Trikutta range. This spot is also dedicated to Vaishno Devi and in importance is second only to the holy cave because here also are the lithic symbols of the trinity of the goddesses representing Vaishno Devi. However, not having been so well known to the pilgrims, few people go there. Now it is very near from the vehicular road linking Katra with Tikri and the approach has become easy.

SHANKARACHARYA HILL: It is an extremely fascinating hill feature, at the end of the town itself, and very attractive for short-distance trekking and

Picnics. Chamba and Garhi Kalka are two other spots worth visiting very near Katra.

DEVA MAI TEMPLE: It is about three miles short of Katra town a little in the interior from the main road. Many devotees treat it as a very holy site and go there to perform paeans. The temple is located on the old footpath to Katra and Vaishno Devi.

AGAR BAWA JITO: It is a sacred site dedicated to Bawa Jito (described earlier) about 8 Kms. onward from Katra on the road to Reasi and at the foot of the Trikutta range.

There is a small shrine with carved murtis of Bawa Jito, where devotees offer prayers. Bawa Jito was born here and it is here that he started confrontation with the oppressive landlords who, however, forced him to migrate to Kahnachack where his samadhi is now located.

From this place also a bridle path leads to the holy cave. It is somewhat longer but easier.

DERA BABA BANDA: About 27 Kms from Katra is the well-known shrine of the famous saint-warrior Banda Vir Bhairagi who has earned immortal renown in the Indian chronicles. He gave a heroic fight to the later Mughal kings as the right arm of Guru Govind Singh. His life has aroused great controversy but none can deny his intrepidity in the battlefield. In his last days he retired to this sequestered hamlet beside river Chenab.

Now an impressive Gurdwara stands over his samadhi elaborately decorated with mural paintings, some of which show his life. Large number of people, particularly those coming for Vaishno Devi Yatra also visit this shrine and pay homage there. Vir Bhairagi had earned high name both in the spiritual and battlefields.

An early incident in his life made him hate the worldly existence and he became a sadhu wandering in various parts of the country. Guru Govind Singh went to the South especially in search for him. By the inspiring persuasion of the Guru, Bhairagi agreed to martial life and head the Sikh army against the Mughals. After the death of the Guru, dissension’s rent the Sikh unity and heart-broken Banda Bhairagi returned to his spiritual life choosing this beautiful spot in the lap of virgin nature as his last resort.

About 20 Kms from Katra a link road leads to Dera Baba Banda Sahib where along with the elegant Gurdwara stand some other buildings for the stay of the pilgrims. Bhairagi’s descendants look after the management of the shrine.

REASI: A town 28 Kms. From Katra is known for important historical associations.

The fort-cum-palace of General Zorawar Singh who had worsted Chinese designs of conquering Ladakh and Kashmir in the thirties of the last century and gave them a hot chase into their own territory, stands impressively on a spur beside river Chenab near Reasi. Though Zorawar Singh sacrificed his own life in these death-defying, campaigns, his endeavors forced the Chinese for the first time to delineate borders with India. Another big fort at Reasi is that of Bhimgarh.

Excellent old wall paintings in yet another palatial building at Reasi add to the attractions of this town.

SHIV KHORI CAVE: One can also visit the wonder cave of Shiv Khori i.e. the abode of Lord Shiva, about 25 Kms from Reasi by a vehicular road.

The cave is about three furlongs long and very difficult to negotiate. At the end there is a spacious 'hall' wherein a natural tapering Shiv-lingam is the destination of the devotees. It is about four feet high and water from the cave ceiling continues dripping on it. The ceiling also has some symbolic formations which devotee’s worship.