Vaishno Devi, Katra

There are a number of things that can be done around the area of Vaishno Devi. Some of these things include,
Sightseeing:
There are several temples around the town of Katra, the number one temple of importance is the temple of Vaishno Devi. The temples hold a very special place in the hearts of the Hindus around the world. Also, the scenic beauty around the parts is one that cannot be missed especially if you go in during the winter months when fog fills the areas near the temple and everything is seen blurry yet focussed through spiritual eyes.
Trekking/Horse Riding:
Climbing to the top of the Vaishno Devi Mountain is a difficult task and only a few people can actually complete the task without being completely exhausted and out of breath. To facilitate the climb there are several people at the bottom of the hill that offer a ride to the top on their donkeys or horses. It is a good idea to ride on an animal if you are suffering from breathlessness or if you get tired easily. Not only does that ride make the climb easier but also it is fun to ride on a horse.

A number of places that can be seen near Vaishno Devi include the following places,
The Vaishno Devi Temple:
The Vaishno Devi Temple is the primary reason why people often endure the cold weather of Katra and visit the top of the mountain. The jewel adorned sculpture of Mata Vaishno Devi attracts millions of pilgrims and devotees from around the world every year. Even though the teeth-biting cold winds often flow through these areas, the Vaishno Devi Temple seems to attract more and more devotees every single year. The mere journey to the top of the mountain is an exhilarating experience that few people get to enjoy in their lives. Even if you are not a devotee you can just go to the temple for the fun of it and believe us, it is worth the fun.
Holy Cave of Shiv Khori:
Another important place of worship that you must visit on your trip to Vaishno Devi is the cave of Shiv Khori. The best part about the temple of Shiv Khori is that it has a wonderful story hidden behind it which is fun to know. Also, one’s trip is considered incomplete if they only visit the Vaishno Devi Temple and do not visit the Shiv Khori Temple around these parts.

Food in Vaishno Devi
As it is an important place of Hindu pilgrimage, the restaurants around the town are mostly vegetarian. Also, while climbing to the top of the mountain a hot cup of tea and biscuits or a Maggie packet made by a vendor feels nothing less than purely heavenly.
Shopping in Vaishno Devi
The only items special to this place include the red shawls and small handcrafted models of deities that one can buy from several shops in the town. Also, apart from these items, you can buy winter clothes that you will definitely need while climbing to the top of the mountain.
There are several modes of travel by which a person can reach Vaishno Devi. Some of them are mentioned below:

By Bus
There are several buses that operate on a daily basis from the nearby cities. These buses will take you toVaishno Devi in a matter of few hours. You can choose AC / non-AC buses for your travel.
By Taxi
If you prefer a solitary and more comfortable means of travel there are agencies in the nearby cities that will rent you a driver and a comfortable car for you to reach Vaishno Devi easily.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Vaishno Deviis the Katra railway station that is located only a few kilometres away. You can easily get other means of transport such as buses and taxis to complete your journey to Vaishno Devi.
By Air
You can reach Vaishno Devi by taking a quick flight toSatwari Airport. It accepts flights from all the major cities of the country on its domestic airport. A small journey via road from there on will take you to Vaishno Devi.
Nearest Airport to Vaishno Devi
The nearest airport to the town of Katra is the Satwari Airport located at a distance of 48 kilometres.
Vaishno Devi Distance from nearby Places
Vaishno Devi Distance Katra: 2 kilometres
Vaishno Devi Distance Jammu: 49 kilometres
Vaishno Devi Distance Patnitop: 83 kilometres