Planning a trip to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi? Here’s everything you need to know about.
How to reach Vaishno Devi
Jammu Airport is the closest airport to Vaishno Devi. It is a domestic airport that has good connections to many Indian cities, including Delhi, Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, thanks to local airlines like Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, and Vistara. The international airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other locations are accessible to both domestic and foreign travelers, who can then connect to a flight to Jammu. Through international carriers including Air China, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and many others, these airports have connections to numerous cities across the world, including New York, Paris, London, Beijing, Dubai, Melbourne, etc.
Hills Stations Near Vaishno Devi
Listed below are some of the best hill towns you can visit when exploring the town of Katra.
Gulmarg
Given that numerous Bollywood films have been filmed there, you must be familiar with Gulmarg. You will think that you are in one of the most stunning locations on earth because Gulmarg is so beautifully surrounded by mountains covered in snow. One of the top attractions in Gulmarg, the Gulmarg Gondola draws lots of tourists each year. In addition to being one of the most stunning hill stations near Vaishno Devi, Gulmarg is also known for housing the Indian Institute of Mountaineering.
Srinagar
We are all familiar with Srinagar’s beauty. When you visit Srinagar, the city’s beauty will astound you and leave you speechless. This city has a fresh, pleasant climate all year round and is situated on the banks of the Jhelum River.
Mcleodganj
This location is somewhat remote; it takes nearly 5 hours to travel there from Katra. There is a strong Buddhist presence throughout Mcleodganj. For hikers, this location will seem like heaven.
Ladakh
Ladakh is genuinely a piece of heaven on earth. This area is filled with natural beauty, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. The Karakoram and Himalaya, two of the world’s most powerful mountain ranges, encircle this lovely desert hill station.
Patnitop
If you want to see the natural world in the midst of snow-capped mountains, Panitop is one of the best places to go. In Patnitop, there are numerous activities to participate in. If you like to be adventurous, you must go to Patnitop for an unforgettable experience.
Natha Top
The journey from Patnitop is not long. Winter will cover the area in snow, which will double the beauty of the landscape. Natha Top is the ideal activity for skiing.
People travel specifically to this location for paragliding when they visit Katra and the nearby hill station.
Sanasar
Sanasar, a hill station close to Katra, is 20 kilometers from Patnitop and is referred to as the Mini-Gulmarg of Jammu. The Sarovar in the lush green surroundings inspired the name Sanasar.
The area is surrounded by enormous trees, which gives it a natural appearance.
The value of the area is enhanced by the water features surrounding the trees. This location is ideal if you want to photograph these natural surroundings at night but have a limited budget.
Shiv Khori
Many Hindu devotees travel to Shiv Khori, a hill station close to Katra, to visit the well-known cave shrine of Lord Shiva. The Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is where this cave is located.
Numerous caves, including Vaishno Devi, Baba Dhansar, and Shiv Khori, can be found in the Reasi district.
This area, which is 140 km from Jammu, draws a significant amount of tourism. The cave is 200 meters long, 1 meter wide, and 2-3 meters high due to natural formations.
