Katra is a well-known name in Jammu & Kashmir. One of the famous things to do in Katra is visit the Vaishno Devi temple. Katra is a town in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. It is located near the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi is seen.

Katra is the entryway to the Vaishno Devi shrine, India's second most important temple, located at the slopes of the Trikuta mountain. About 42 kilometers from Jammu, Katra is located on National Highway 1C. Pilgrims use the town as a base camp on their trip to Vaishno Devi, 13 kilometers uphill. Yatris and pilgrims must also obtain their Yatra Parchi (token numbers) in Katra's Banganga. Every pilgrim visiting Vaishno Devi Temple needs this Yatra Parchi.

The town relies on the religious-tourism business. The temple is located at an elevation of 2,474 feet above mean sea level. Katra is a shopper's delight. Dry fruits, clothes, and leather goods are available in Katra's markets. It's an excellent place to go if you want to get Kashmiri embroidery on your clothes. Katra is a shopper's dream come true. Textiles featuring Kashmiri embroidery, dry fruits, hosiery, and leather goods are available for purchase. The finest spot to buy souvenirs, dry fruits, and other items is the Main Bazaar.

Adventure fun activities to do in Katra:

Many tourists overlook Katra while planning a vacation to Jammu & Kashmir, but they are unaware that Katra is a stunningly gorgeous location that any tourist would be fortunate to visit. The following activities in Katra should be on your bucket list for your next trip to Jammu and Kashmir, and you should endeavor to do them.

Some of the Katra adventure places to visit  or things to do are: 

• White-water Rafting: Rafting on whitewater is one of those things that you will remember for the rest of your life. While engaging in this sport, you will feel the excitement run through your veins as the gorgeous Chenab river in Katra surrounds you.
• Himkoti: You will like your visit Himkoti since it not only provides a bird's eye view of the entire Jammu valley, but it is also quite clean and well-maintained. Several tiny cafes sell delectable dishes such as Dosa, Maggi, Tea, Coffee, and many others.
• Visiting Shiv Khori: When you visit Shiv Khori for the first time, you will be taken aback. Every traveller visiting Jammu and Kashmir should observe the sun rays reaching the cave's entrance, which creates a wonderful and unique panorama.
• Pilgrimage To Vaishno Devi: Most people come to Katra to see Vaishno Devi. As a result, it's only reasonable that this activity should be included in this list. This temple, dedicated to Mother Mahalakshmi, is one of India's holiest shrines, drawing pilgrims worldwide. This temple, located in the Trikuta Mountains, is thought to be extremely sacred. It is located at the height of 5,300 feet, and the entire journey is made up of steep heels and stairwells.

Things you can experience only in Katra:

Some of the offbeat and unique things to do in Katra are: 

• Charan Paduka - See Vaishnavi Maa’s Footprints: On the way to Maa Vaishno Devi's cave or Bhawan, this is one of the most promising places to visit in Katra. The footprints of Maa can be observed on a rock slab at Charan Paduka. Bhairavnath, the saint turned demon, was chasing Mata Vaishno Devi or Vaishnavi. 
• Ban Ganga - Take a refreshing dip: Ban Ganga is another holy halt on the way to Vaishno Devi. It is one of Katra's most popular tourist attractions. This Ganga originates in the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas, and viewing it in June is one of the top things to do in Kashmir.
• Bhairavnath Temple -  After immersing yourself in good energy at Vaishno Devi temple, climb a little higher to pay a visit to Baba Bhairavnath, one of Katra's most popular tourist attractions. To get to Bhairavnath temple, you only have to trek 2 to 3 kilometers uphill from Vaishno Devi. The view up here is more beautiful and captivating.
• Baba Dhansar- Baba Dhansar is Katra's many must-see holy sites. It is less than 13 kilometres from Katra, and there are a plethora of fantastic homestays and guest rooms in Katra close by. It involves climbing stairs, roughly 100 of them.

Things to do in Katra  at Night:

Katra is a pilgrim site thus the funfilled nightlife is negligible. You won’t find any pubs or clubs but you may find people gathering in small groups to participate in an all-nighter in which they sing devotional songs and offer prayers to the almighty. Here you can get to interact with unknown people and listen to their stories of devotion and miracles over a cup of tea. The amount of belief and admiration that people hold for the almighty will leave you dumbstruck.

Dining in Katra:

Apart from the temples and several other sites to see, one thing that draws everyone to Katra is the food. Because it is a religious site, nearly every restaurant and eatery offers vegetarian options. However, the vegetarian food served here is delectable, and you cannot afford to pass it up. Katra boasts a wide range of dining options, including vegetarian eateries that don't use onions or garlic.

Some of the best places for dining in Katra are:

• Madhuban: Madhuban, in the heart of this little village, serves delectable meals in a simple but attractive setting. This restaurant, which has excellent service, serves a variety of cuisines, including North Indian, Chinese, Italian, and regional Asian cuisines. They also have gluten-free choices.
• Prem Vaishno Dhaba: The Prem Vaishno Dhaba in Katra, located in the main bazaar area, serves delicious meals at reasonable pricing. In a serene and peaceful atmosphere, enjoy North Indian and Chinese cuisine. You won't have to worry about money in this restaurant because it only costs INR 200 for two people.
• Puja Vaishno Dhaba: Pooja Vaishno Dhaba in Katra is a well-known dhaba that serves simple, delectable vegetarian food at reasonable pricing. After a long hike, we all need some delicious food to refuel our batteries, and this restaurant provides home-cooked meals with a magnificent view of the mountains.
• Punjabi Haveli: This restaurant in Katra, ideally placed on the Katra-Jammu route, serves Punjabi cuisine. Apart from the delectable cuisine, the restaurant's basic décor and nice atmosphere will entice you to return. You'll find a vast selection of food options here, from delicious dal makhani to a large variety of puris and parathas.

Shopping Places in Katra: 

While Katra is well known for the world-famous Vaishno Devi shrine, it has also become a popular shopping area in recent years. Stay in one of the many suggested Katra hotels. Make the most of your time in this spiritual haven, and don't forget to go shopping - you won't be disappointed!

Some of the shopping places in Katra are:

• Ardh Kuwari Market: Ardh Kuwari Market, one of the most prominent marketplaces in the area, is at the top of every shopaholic's wish list when visiting Katra. This market is always bustling with activity and offers good deals to every type of traveler.
• Anil Gift Centre: This popular gift shop in Katra is easy to discover and directly across from the Manoranjan Food Center. This market is a good place to go if you're seeking fake jewelry, bangles, and other unusual goods that are otherwise hard to come across. Beautiful woven baskets, which can be seen for sale across Katra, are among the most popular goods here.
• Lavanya Shopping Complex: The massive influx of spiritual tourists in Katra necessitated the creation of a one-stop shopping mall, which took the form of the Lavanya Shopping Complex. This location is designed to meet the needs of both locals and visitors.
• Katra Main Bazaar: The primary retail area here is Katra Main Bazaar, where you can find everything particular to Jammu. From clothing to food, there is nothing you won't find here.

Sightseeing in Katra: 

Katra sightseeing includes some attractions such as :

• Vaishno Devi Temple: Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple, India's second-most-visited Hindu pilgrimage site, is located in the Trikuta Hills near Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Hindu pilgrims from all over the world flock to this well-known sacred shrine, where the Mother Goddess, Mata Vaishno Devi, is claimed to grant their wishes.
• Charan Paduka: Pilgrims that explore Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple frequent the religious spot of Charan Paduka in Katra. This white shrine is thought to be where Mata Vaishno Devi/Vaishnavi paused to see if she was still being pursued by Bhairon Nath, Mahayogi Guru Goraksh Nathji's student.
• Ban Ganga: Ban Ganga, a sacred river where Hindu worshippers in Katra like to plunge before completing the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, is an important religious location.
• Bhairon Mandir: The Bhairon Temple is located 3 kilometres from the Bhawan, or sacred cave of Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra. It is the pilgrims' next pilgrimage site after Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple.

Where to stay in Katra?

Some of the best places or hotels to stay in Katra are:

• The White Hotels: The White Hotels on Katra Reasi Road in Katra is chosen by devotees since it is only 5 minutes from the Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
• The Atrium On The Greens: Another excellent hotel in Katra is the Atrium On The Greens, located on Railway Road, approximately a 5-minute drive from Jammu Tawi Railway Station. The hotel's simple decor and convenient location will win you over.
• Hotel Aashirwad: Hotel Ashirwad in Katra, located on Main Jammu Road, is ideal for those looking for a decent place to stay without breaking the bank.
• Hotel Durga Residency: Another excellent budget hotel in Katra is Hotel Durga Residency. The hotel was inaugurated in 2013 and is still relatively new.