Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan and Katra Town

About this place

Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.Katra is the base town for the Vaishno Devi Yatra. Pilgrims start from Katra and trek (or use ponies/ropeway/helicopter) to the hill shrine, where the goddess is worshipped in the form of natural rock formations (pindis). The town is full of hotels, langars, shops and services geared entirely towards pilgrims.

History & highlights

The cave shrine of Vaishno Devi has been venerated for centuries, with legends linking it to a manifestation of the Divine Mother during the age of the Mahabharata. For a long time, access was via narrow trails used mainly by locals and regional pilgrims. In the 20th century, improved roads, a railway station at Katra and the creation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board turned the yatra into one of India’s largest organised pilgrimages, permanently reshaping Katra from a quiet village into a 24×7 pilgrimage town.

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