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Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the gateway for millions of pilgrims heading to Mata Vaishno Devi. Most visitors pass straight through, but the region rewards a short stay: temples and a riverside fort in the city, a cave shrine in the hills, and cool pine forests at Patnitop.
If you are arriving by train or planning the yatra, give Jammu and Katra two or three days. They pair naturally with a week in the Kashmir valley.
Best time to visit Jammu & Katra: October to March for comfortable sightseeing; the yatra runs all year. See our full best time to visit Kashmir guide.
1. Mata Vaishno Devi - The Holy Cave Shrine
The shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi sits in the Trikuta hills above Katra and is one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites. The track from Katra to the Bhawan is about 13 km each way, paved and lit, with stalls and rest points along the way.
Ways up
Walk, hire a pony or palki, or take the helicopter from Katra to Sanjichhat when it is flying. Battery cars and a ropeway run on parts of the route; check the current options before you go.
Registration
Every pilgrim needs yatra registration. Book online in advance in peak seasons, and carry the ID you registered with.
2. Katra - Base Town for the Yatra
Katra is a busy pilgrimage town at the foot of the Trikuta hills, with hotels for every budget, a railway station and the helipad. Evenings are lively, and the view of the lit-up track snaking up the mountain is memorable.
Getting there
Trains run to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station, and Jammu airport is about 50 km away (1.5–2 hours by road).
3. Raghunath Temple - Jammu's Landmark
In the heart of Jammu city, the Raghunath Temple complex dates from the 19th century and is dedicated to Lord Ram. Its gilded spires and inner shrines make it the city's best-known landmark.
4. Bahu Fort and Bagh-e-Bahu - Views over the Tawi
Bahu Fort stands on a hill above the Tawi river, with a temple to Goddess Kali inside its walls. Next to it, the terraced Bagh-e-Bahu gardens and the city's aquarium are popular with families in the evening.
5. Shiv Khori - The Cave Shrine
Shiv Khori is a long natural cave in Reasi district with a naturally formed lingam revered by Shiva devotees. The cave is reached by a walk of a few kilometres from the road head at Ransoo.
6. Patnitop - Pine Forests on the Way to Srinagar
Patnitop is a hill station of meadows and deodar forests, just off the Jammu–Srinagar highway. It is ideal for breaking the long drive to the valley, especially with children or elders, and gets snow in winter.
Things to do
Short walks to Nathatop and the meadows, paragliding when operating, and snow play in winter.
7. Mansar and Surinsar Lakes - Quiet Lakeside Stops
South-east of Jammu, Mansar Lake is surrounded by forested hills and temples, with boating and a lakeside walk. Smaller Surinsar Lake nearby is quieter still.
8. Bhaderwah - The Lavender Valley
Bhaderwah, in Doda district, is a green valley known for its meadows and for the lavender fields grown there in recent years. It is off the main circuit and suits travellers with an extra day or two.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is the most comfortable time for Jammu city and Katra, when the plains are cool. The yatra runs all year; summers in Jammu are hot, while Patnitop stays pleasant. Avoid major festival weeks at Vaishno Devi unless you have booked well ahead.
How to Reach
Jammu has an airport with flights from Delhi and other cities, and Jammu Tawi and Katra are major railway stations. By road, Jammu is about 250 km from Srinagar. Check trains and timings on IRCTC.
Where to Stay
Stay in Katra the night before and after the yatra, in Jammu if you are sightseeing in the city, and in Patnitop to break the drive to Srinagar.
Plan your Jammu & Katra visit
Jammu & Katra is part of most of our Kashmir tour packages. For drive times between Jammu & Katra and the other hill stations, read the Srinagar to Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam guide.
Official information: J&K Department of Tourism
