Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Jammu and Kashmir, India, situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located. It is part of the Udhampur District and is located 42 km from the city of Jammu.Everyday of the year throngs of people surge up the steep pathways that cut across the Trikuta hillsides for mile after mile.This show of faith is finely interwoven with the cultural strands of the Indian subcontinent, and these pathways have been trod on for many centuries now. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the Himalayan trail to the goddesses's abode to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. Whatever be it, a new enterprise or a forthcoming examination, marriage or birth, the devout look up to the Mata for blessings and guidance. There are many who journey year after year to pay obeisance regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class, caste or religion.The Yatra to the holy shrine is as fascinating as the legend associated with it. It goes that thousands of years ago, a comely maiden called "Vaishnavi" have been created by the three lords attained human form and was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Having taken a vow of celibacy, she spent almost all her life in meditation and prayers. In time she attained enormous spiritual powers and is believed to have extracted an assurance from Lord Rama that he will marry her in Kali-Yug if she persisted in her spiritual quest.

Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi.The town has a complete new look and instead of the kachcha houses, dingy shops, a mean-looking narrow Bazar with dirt littered every here and there, now one can see pucca brick buildings, inviting and flourishing shops and other commercial establishments doing brisk business. A well-located and beautifully laid-out garden with cascading water adds to the comforts provided by the town. There are a few attractive green hill spots near about Katra.It has a mild temperate climate, which makes it a suitable summer resort also. 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.One should not miss the opportunity to walk through the main bazaar or market for buying ouvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc