Katra, Jammu and Kashmir

Katra
Temple town
Katra
Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Katra
Katra (India)
Coordinates: 32°59′22″N 74°56′0″E / 32.98944°N 74.93333°E / 32.98944; 74.93333Coordinates: 32°59′22″N 74°56′0″E / 32.98944°N 74.93333°E / 32.98944; 74.93333
Country  India
State Jammu and Kashmir
District Reasi
Elevation 875 m (2,871 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 9,008
Languages
 • Official Urdu and English
 • Additional Dogri
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration JK
Literacy 70%

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

Geography

Katra is located at 32°59′N 74°57′E / 32.98°N 74.95°E / 32.98; 74.95.[1] It has an average elevation of 875 metres (2,474 feet). There have also been reports of possible oil reserves in the area[2]

The Trikuta Mountains in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, also famous for the Vaishno-Devi temple

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[3] Katra along with Ban-Ganga had a population of 9,008. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Katra has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 65%. In Katra, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Religion

Hindus represent 93% of the population, while Muslims, Christians and Sikhs etc, makeup the rest.[4] Dogri is the native language to Katra and Urdu and English are the official languages.

Tourism

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 8.2 million in 2009. 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 Mandir(temple) the pilgrims have to register at the Katra before starting the trek. By registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance while on the trek for 1 lakh INR. It is a trek of 14 km.There is another trek (2.5 km) from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba Bhaironnath. It is said that the pilgrimage is not complete until you visit this temple at last. The scenery throughout the trek is picturesque.Environment-friendly auto rickshaws and helicopter services are available, to make the journey a pleasant one.

Panoramic view of Katra, seen from Vaishno Devi.

Transport

Katra Railway Station, Vaishno Devi.

The town has been connected by roads and state highways for a long time but recently it has also been connected by Indian Railways. Jammu Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link connects the Katra railway station of Northern Railways to the rest of Indian railways network. It was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 July 2014.[5]

References

  1. ↑ FallingRain Map - elevation 875m
  2. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/2008/02/23/top4.htm
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  4. ↑ http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/800061-katra-jammu-and-kashmir.html
  5. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modi-flags-off-inaugural-train-from-katra/article6176580.ece
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