The little district of Reasi sees some of highest number of visitors as any other districts in Jammu. This can be attributed to the town of Katra, home to the shrine of Vaishno Devi, which attracted followers from all over the world.
Also known as Trikuta or Vaishnavi, the goddess deity of the Vaishno Devi temple brings to the town devotees of all ages. The temple is located at a 12 kilometre trek from Katra. Since the town is a popular pilgrim spot and also a developing tourist spot, it makes sense to book a hotel in Vaishno Devi well in advance.
If you are visiting Vaishno Devi for the first time, here is some tips and information that can help you have a great time in Katra.
• The best time to visit Katra is in the months between March and October owing to the favourable weather conditions. The peak season of pilgrims in the town is during the festival of Navratri. If you plan on making a trip during this peak time, make sure to book a hotel in Vaishno Devi well in advance to ensure you do not lose out on living in your preferred hotel.
• Vaishno Devi temple is located in the foothills of the Trikuta range. The hilly location of the town can make the weather really chilly during the winters, so make sure you carry ample warm clothes with you.
• For those devotees who cannot make a trip to the main Bhawan of Vaishno Devi by foot or do not have the time to do so, there are alternatives as well. One of them is an affordable helicopter service between Katra and the Sanjichatt Helipad. The helipad is at a short walking distance from the temple. Senior citizens or those with special needs can opt for reaching the temple on ponies. Another alternative is reaching the temple on Palkis which is ideal for those who are unable to walk the distance but want to enjoy the journey up. When you book a hotel in Vaishno Devi, make sure it is at a close distance from the temple to make it more convenient.
• There are plenty of pocket friendly hotels in Katra, make sure you opt for one with the best of facilities and more importantly is not far away from the starting point of the trek to Vaishno Devi temple.
• Make sure you collect the ‘Visit Slip’ or ‘Parchi’ that is required to visit the temple. This can be booked online or collected physically when it is distributed at 6:00 am in the morning. Speak to your hotel desk to know more about where you can get this slip.
When you book a hotel in Vaishno Devi, make sure you ask if all the features that are necessary to you are in order. For example, if you are travelling with senior citizens who can’t climb steps, ensure that the hotel has rooms on the ground floor or a lift.
No comments:
Post a Comment