Katra, Jammu and Kashmir

:"For the meaning of the word "katra" in the fictional Star Trek universe, see katra (Star Trek)
Katra is also a place in Nadbai."

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Katra


latd = 32.98|longd = 74.95
state_name=Jammu and Kashmir
district=Udhampur District
leader_title=
leader_name=
altitude= 754
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 7569
population_density =
literacy = 70 %
area_magnitude=
area_total=
area_telephone=
postal_code=
vehicle_code_range=
footnotes = |

Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Jammu and Kashmir, India, situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located. It is part of the Udhampur District and is located 42 km from the city of Jammu.

Geography

Katra is located at coord|32.98|N|74.95|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Katra.html FallingRain Map - elevation 753m] ] . It has an average elevation of 754 metres (2,474 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Katra had a population of 7569. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Katra has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 65%. In Katra, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Tourism & Trekking

Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi. It has a thriving tourism industry that offers plenty of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, dhabas, fast-food joints that fit all kinds of budgets. Free accommodation is provided by some registered trusts in the form of Sarais for the poor. The number of pilgrims that visit the shrine every year has increased from 1.4 million in 1986 to 6.2 million in 2005. Over the years, a lot has changed, but one should not miss the opportunity to walk through the main bazaar (market) for buying (do not forget/hesitate to negotiate a bit) souvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc.

To reach Vaishno Devi temple the pilgrims have to register at the Katra before starting the trek. By registering, the pilgrims get accidental insurance while on the trek for 1 lakh INR. It is a trek of 13.5 km.

There is another trek (1.5 km) from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba baironnath. It is said that the pilgrimage is not complete until you visit this temple at last. The scenery throghout the trek is pictursque.

Environment-friendly auto rickshaws and helicopter services also have started now-a-days to make the journey a pleasant one.

References

External links

* [http://maavaishnodevi.org/new1/index.html Official website of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board]
* [http://www.meriyatra.in Great travel offers to Katra]
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