Places to visit near Vaishno Devi: The holy site of Mata Vaishno Devi, nestled among the scenic Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir, welcomes millions of people each year, once you pay a visit to the Holy Cave of Vaishno Devi Bhawan and have some free time. Then here is the guide to explore the Places near Katra.
The locations listed below are close to Vaishno Devi; you can make a single-day journey there to have an incredible experience.
Table of Contents
5 Best Places to visit near Vaishno Devi
Also read :
How to Plan 3-Day Mata Vaishno Devi Trip Itinerary.
Quick and Easy Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking Tips
Baba Dhansar
In the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir State, India, 13 km from Reasi towards Katra, is the holy site of Baba Dhansar, situated at Karua Jheel (pond) next to the village of Karua. It takes 200 meters to walk from the road to the approach.
There is a myth that Lord Shiva abandoned his serpent king Sheshnag at Anantnag when he visited the Amarnath cave to tell Parvati the tale of his immortality. Vasudev was the human shape that Shesh Nag assumed. The saintly person Dhansar was one of Vasudev’s sons.
Distance from Katra: 13 KM
9 Devi Cave Temple
A well-known shrine located 10 kilometers from Katra town. Getting darshan of the nine Devis is one of the key draws for tourists. Pindies are one way to execute the darshan. To reach to the cave Mandir, there are roughly 100 stairs to descend. Be mindful of the nearby monkeys. The space is tidy and kept up fairly well. A stream flows by the side of the temple. Before entering the sanctum sanctorum, which is rather roomy for four to five pilgrims, one must crawl through the temple’s entrance.
Distance from Katra: 10 KM
ShivKhori
Located in Sangar village, Pouni, close to Reasi town in the Reasi region of Jammu and Kashmir, India, Shiv Khori is a well-known Hindu cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shiv Khori signifies Shiva’s cave; Khori means cave (Guffa). This naturally occurring cave is roughly 200 meters long, 1 meter broad, and 2 to 3 meters high. Inside is a man-made lingam that the locals claim is endless. The cave’s first entrance is so large that 300 devotees can pass through simultaneously. Its cave is roomy enough to hold a huge gathering of people. The cave’s inner chamber is smaller.
Distance from Katra: 78 KM
Baba Aghar Jitto
Baba Aghar Jitto is a spiritual devotee of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. A farmer sacrificed his life to get due right share of agriculture crop from Jagirdar Bir Singh who refused to give the committed share. This is why he sacrificed his life to get his rights & became famous among the farmers, having an attraction for the parties also. The statue of Baba Jitto is situated near the roadside in the lap of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. This place is just 7 km from Katra.
Distance from Katra: 7 KM
Bhimgarh fort
Bhimgarh Fort also known as Reasi Fort, is a historical site located in the scenic town of Reasi, Udhampur District, Jammu and Kashmir. The fort, perched on a hillside in Reasi, overlooks the Anji River and provides a commanding view of the surrounding area. The fort was originally built with mud/clay, but Maharaja Rishipal Rana (the founder of Reasi) later rebuilt it with stone. Maharaja Gulab Singh of the Dogra Dynasty began renovating Reasi Fort in 1817 and completed it in 1841. King Gulab Singh’s latest addition to the fort included an entry gate and a stone wall.
Distance from Katra: 24 KM
Pro Tip
“5 Pandav Yatra” associated with the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is believed to start from the ‘Zero Point’ on the 5th day of Navratri. During this yatra, devotees trace a path traditionally linked to the Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, particularly the 5th day, devotees embark on this yatra, retracing the steps believed to have been taken by the Pandavas brothers during their pilgrimage to seek blessings from Goddess Vaishno Devi.
In some cases, authorities such as the police may assist in managing the flow of pilgrims or ensuring the safety and security of devotees along the Yatra route, especially during busy or significant religious events. The route may be challenging, and it’s advisable for pilgrims to consider their health and stamina before undertaking such journeys, as they might involve rough and demanding terrains.
Jai Mata Di!!!
That’s it for the Best Places to visit near Vaishno Devi Katra. For trips hints for other destinations. Please visit https://www.triphintsguru.com
