From the array of
budget hotels in Katra, the Hotel Swing High is an ideal pick for both leisure travelers and pilgrims. It provides rooms from executive to suites and one can expect a warm welcome. Located on Jammu Road, this hotel has easy access to the city and offers a wide range of rejuvenating amenities that includes a Gym, Spa, and restaurant. It also maintains a conference hall and a business center which makes it an ideal hub for business travelers. The Hotel Katra Continental with 36 well-appointed rooms is one of the best
budget hotels in Katra. It also caters to a vegetarian restaurant as well as a coffee shop. Located on Railway Road,
the Hotel Dolphin is perfect for pilgrims, whereas the Vaishnodevi IRCTC Guest House offers a wide range of facilities. Close to the Katra market area, the
Hotel Kapoor Palace is one of the
cheap hotels in Katra that bears 20 rooms, a restaurant, and a business center.
Katra is a beautiful town located in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, in the Reasi district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is renowned for its famous temple of the Goddess Vaishno Devi which is one of the world's greatest pilgrimages. Every year, thousands of tourists come to this shrine to pay their respects to the Goddess. To experience a comfortable stay, it is best to book your accommodation beforehand at one of the many
budget hotels in Katra.
The devotees have to travel nearly eight miles to the temple, which is located at a height of 5,300 feet, hence the journey can be said to resemble a trek itself. According to the Indian legend, any righteous wish made by those who visit the holy shrine will be granted by the Goddess. Visitors are also transported to the site using helicopter flights.
Katra markets are a paradise for shoppers. Here, one can buy garments embellished with Kashmiri embroidery, leather goods, dry fruits, and hosiery items. Main Bazaar is the best place for shoppers to buy souvenirs, dry fruits, etc. Katra also offers various cuisines for food lovers. There are numerous restaurants, fast food stalls, dhabas, and private restaurants that serve Kashmiri, Continental, and Indian cuisine. Apart from its religious significance, Katra is also known for its scenic beauty and offers adventurous activities such as paragliding, making it a top tourist destination.
Top Things to Do in Katra
Katra is a scenic town that thrives on the religious-tourism industry. Apart from seeking the blessings of Goddess Vaishno Devi, the pilgrims can also enjoy the adventure of paragliding in Vaishno Devi. Paragliding has been introduced to promote tourism in the village of Maukhri, located on Reasi Marg, about 7 kilometers from Katra. Apart from Vaishno Devi Temple, Nau Devi Cave Temple, Bhairo Baba Temple, Baba Dhansar and Shivkhori are a few other places of religious significance that one can visit in Katra.
The Chenab river in Katra offers the adventurous activity of white-water rafting which is an unmatchable experience that one will always cherish in their life. One can also visit Himkoti, a mesmerizing place that offers a bird’s eye view of the entire valley of the Jammu. The Sulla Park, located at a distance of 22 km from Katra, is worth a visit as it is the home of a wide variety of flowers and plants, with lovely and breezy weather.
One can also visit Hajjar Kotli, a beautiful picnic spot located on the bank of the river Jhajjar with mesmerizing scenery. Shiv Khori, a shrine in Katra dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a place that is not to be missed by a tourist. The cave offers a magnificent and unique view when it is illuminated by the sun rays. The Nau Devi Temple is situated on the way to Shiv Khori. Built 200 years ago, this temple is located inside a cave and is quite rare as it is not human-made.
Over the years, the number of shopping spots in Katra has increased owing to the increased number of tourist visits. The shopping adventure in Katra is not to be missed by any explorer! Some shops offer woolen items like Kashmiri sweaters, pashmina shawls, papier-mache items, and many more at affordable prices. Apart from this, one can also find several souvenirs made of walnut wood.
Best Budget Hotels in Katra
For those wanting to opt for budget hotels in Katra, you can single out one among Hotel Nek, Hotel Vaishno Devi Heights,
Hotel Swastik,
Hotel AAA Continental, or
Hotel Surya Palace. These best budget hotels in Katra provide all the basic amenities, clean and well-maintained rooms as well as good room services. The staff of these hotels is hospitable and friendly, ensuring you a truly comfortable stay. They have inbuilt restaurants providing excellent food and also free wifi. Located within prime areas, these budget hotels in Katra are also close to the railway station and other means of transport making them ideal places for tourists to stay.
Best Places for Pilgrims and Families to Stay in Katra
The majority of the tourists who visit Katra are pilgrims with Vaishno Devi Temple as their destination. For them, it is best to stay at a place that is in proximity to the temple. Hotel Aashirwad, Hotel Durga Residency, and Hotel Shree Ram Katra are some of the best budget hotels in Katra for pilgrims. These are all located close to the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which makes them convenient places to stay for the devotees.
Hotel Maha Luxmi Palace, Hotel Nek, and
Hotel Shree Shaktia Katra are a few cheap hotels in Katra for families to stay in. These budget hotels in Katra, located very close to Dera Baba Banda and Nau Devi Temple provide all the basic amenities and are closer to the bus stand and railway station.
Couple Friendly Hotels for Honeymooners in Katra
For honeymooners, It is important to choose a comfortable and relaxing place to experience a romantic stay in Katra. Gupta Palace,
Hotel Shree Palace, AMR hotel, and Jagdish Residency are some of the best budget hotels in Katra for honeymooners. AMR hotel is set in a shopping mall with a cinema making it an ideal place to stay for honeymooners. These budget hotels in Katra offer clean, well-maintained rooms with 24 hours room service and excellent food. Located within prime areas of Katra, these hotels are nearer to Shalimar Park and Katra Railway station. The staff of these budget hotels in Katra is also friendly and cooperative.
Best Time to Visit Katra
The beautiful town of Katra is subject to a sub-tropical climate all over the year but the best time for tourists to visit Katra would be from March to November. The summer season in Katra, expanding through May, June and July is quite warm and hot with the temperature rising to a maximum of forty degrees (40°C). Rainfall in the region is quite rare, occurring during August and September. Usually, during the monsoon season, the region witnesses high humidity and is slightly inconvenient to visit. The winter season in Katra starts in October and lasts till March. It is one of the best places to visit in India during the winter season. You must carry heavy woolen clothes if you are visiting the region during this season.
Couple Friendly