Katra, Jammu and Kashmir: Difference between revisions

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
(Cleanup: Source modification.)
 
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{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Katra
| name                     = Katra
| native_name           =  
| native_name             =  
| native_name_lang       =  
| native_name_lang         =  
| other_name             = Katra Vaishno Devi
| other_name               =  
| settlement_type       = Temple town
| settlement_type         = Temple City{{fact|date=May 2023}}
| image_skyline         = Katra town1.JPG
| image_skyline           = Katra town1.JPG
| image_caption         =  
| image_caption           =  
| pushpin_map           = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| pushpin_map             = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| pushpin_map_caption   = Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
| coordinates           = {{coord|32|59|22|N|74|56|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates             = {{coord|32|59|22|N|74|56|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_type         = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name       = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1     = [[States and union territories of India|Union Territory]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and union territories of India|Union Territory]]
| subdivision_name1     = [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| subdivision_name1       = {{flagicon image|Government of Jammu and Kashmir.svg}} [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu & Kashmir]]
| subdivision_type2     = [[List of districts of Jammu and Kashmir|District]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of districts of Jammu and Kashmir|District]]
| subdivision_name2     = [[Reasi district|Reasi]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Reasi district|Reasi]]
| established_title     = <!-- Established -->
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| established_date       =  
| established_date         =  
| unit_pref             = Metric
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_total_km2         =  
| area_total_km2           =  
| elevation_footnotes   =  
| elevation_footnotes     =  
| elevation_m           = 875
| elevation_m             = 875
| population_footnotes   = <ref name="Census2011Gov"/>
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census2011Gov"/>
| population_total       = 9,008
| population_total         = 9,008
| population_as_of       = 2011
| population_as_of         = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2   = auto
| demographics_type1     = [[Language]]
| demographics_type1       = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1   = Official
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| demographics1_info1   = [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[English language|English]], [[Hindi]], [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Urdu]].<ref name="OfficialLang">{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020| url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
| demographics1_info1     = [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[Hindi]]<ref name="OfficialLang">{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020 | url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=23 September 2020 | archive-date=24 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924141909/http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| demographics1_title2   = Other
| demographics1_title2     = Other
| demographics1_info2   = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]<ref name="OfficialLang"/>
| demographics1_info2     = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]
| timezone1             = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1           = +5:30
| utc_offset1             = +5:30
| postal_code_type       = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code_type         = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code           = 182301
| postal_code             = 182301
| registration_plate     = [[Vehicle registration plates of India|JK]]
| registration_plate       = [[Vehicle registration plates of India|JK]]
| blank1_name_sec1       = Literacy
| blank1_name_sec1         = Literacy
| blank1_info_sec1       = 70%
| blank1_info_sec1         = 70%
| website               =  
| website                 =  
}}
}}


'''Katra''' or '''Katra Vaishno Devi''', as it is popularly known, is a small town in [[Reasi district]] in the [[States and union territories of India|union territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India, situated in the foothills of the [[Trikuta Mountains]], where the holy shrine of [[Vaishno Devi]] is located. It is located {{cvt|42|km}} from the city of [[Jammu]].
'''Katra''' is a town in the [[Reasi district]] of the Indian [[States and union territories of India|union territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], situated at the foot of the [[Trikuta Mountains]], where the shrine of [[Vaishno Devi Temple|Vaishno Devi]] is located. Katra is located 24 km (15 mi) from the town of [[Reasi]], {{cvt|42|km}} from the [[city]] of [[Jammu]] and around {{cvt|685|km}} north of the national capital [[New Delhi]] and is the base for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
[[File:Trikuta Mountains.jpg|thumb|The Trikuta Mountains in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, also famous for the Vaishno-Devi temple]]
[[File:Trikuta Mountains.jpg|thumb|The Trikuta Mountains in [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir|Katra]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India, also famous for the Vaishno-Devi temple]]
[[File:A view from a top of a building from Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.jpg|thumb|The town of Katra in the night.]]
Katra is located at {{coord|32.98|N|74.95|E}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Katra.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Katra, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>  It has an average elevation of 875&nbsp;metres (2,474&nbsp;feet). The [[Banganga River (Jammu and Kashmir)|Banganga River]] passes through the village.
Katra is located at {{coord|32.98|N|74.95|E}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Katra.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Katra, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>  It has an average elevation of 875&nbsp;metres (2,474&nbsp;feet). The [[Banganga River (Jammu and Kashmir)|Banganga River]] passes through the village.


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|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|value1 = 93
|value1 = 93
|color1 = Orange
|color1 = DarkOrange
|label2 = [[Islam]]
|label2 = [[Islam]]
|value2 = 3.8
|value2 = 3.8
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==Tourism==
==Tourism==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2019}}
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2019}}
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 who 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 main attractions include the "''bazaar"'' (market) for buying souvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc. To reach [[Vaishno Devi]], the pilgrims have to register at Katra before starting the trek.  By registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance up to 100,000 [[Indian rupee|INR]] while on the trek of 14&nbsp;km. There is another trek of 2.5&nbsp;km from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba Bhaironnath. Electric Vehicles and helicopter services are available for pilgrims. A new ropeway system has just been inaugurated from the Vaishno Devi Bhawan to the Bhairon Baba Mandir, reducing the journey to time to just 3 minutes. The ropeway can carry 800 people every hour.[[File:Katra from Vaishnodevi.jpg|thumb|center|1000px|Panoramic view of Katra, seen from [[Vaishno Devi]]]]
Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit [[Vaishno Devi]]. It has hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and dhabas. Free accommodation is also provided by some registered trusts in the form of ''[[sarai (resting place)|sarais]]'' for the poor. The number of pilgrims who visit the shrine every year has increased from 1.4 million in 1986 to 8.2 million in 2009. A bazaar sells  souvenirs, dry fruit, woolen garments, hosiery, and leather jackets. To reach [[Vaishno Devi]], pilgrims register at Katra before starting the trek, and by registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance up to 100,000 [[Indian rupee|INR]] while on the trek of 14&nbsp;km. There is another trek of 2.5&nbsp;km from Vaishno Devi temple to Baba Bhaironnath. Electric vehicles and helicopter services are available for pilgrims. A new ropeway system has just been inaugurated from the Vaishno Devi Bhawan to the Bhairon Baba Mandir, reducing the journey to time to just 3 minutes. The ropeway can carry 800 people every hour.[[File:Katra from Vaishnodevi.jpg|thumb|center|1000px|Panoramic view of Katra, seen from [[Vaishno Devi]]]]


==Transport==
==Transport==
[[File:KatraRailwayStation.jpg|thumb|220px|Katra Railway Station, [[Vaishno Devi]].]]
[[File:KatraRailwayStation.jpg|thumb|220px|Katra Railway Station, [[Vaishno Devi]].]]
===Road===
===Road===
Katra is well-connected by roads with other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India. The [[National Highway 144 (India)|NH 144]] passes through Katra. Presently, it takes around 12 hours to travel from New Delhi to Katra. The planned [[Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway]] will shorten the duration to 7 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/economy/article/delhi-to-vaishno-devi-in-less-than-7-hours-delhi-katra-express-road-corridor-to-be-completed-by/669099|title=Delhi to Vaishno Devi in less than 7 hours: Delhi-Katra express road corridor to be completed by 2023|work=Times Now|accessdate=11 July 2021}}</ref>
Katra is well-connected by roads with other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India. The [[National Highway 144 (India)|NH 144]] passes through Katra. Presently, it takes around 12 hours to travel from [[New Delhi]] to Katra. The planned [[Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway]] will shorten the duration to 7 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/economy/article/delhi-to-vaishno-devi-in-less-than-7-hours-delhi-katra-express-road-corridor-to-be-completed-by/669099|title=Delhi to Vaishno Devi in less than 7 hours: Delhi-Katra express road corridor to be completed by 2023|work=Times Now|accessdate=11 July 2021}}</ref>


===Rail===
===Rail===
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===Air===
===Air===
The nearest airport to Katra is [[Jammu Airport]] located at a distance of 50 kilometres. There are numerous helipads in and around Katra which has services to the [[Vaishno Devi Temple]].
The nearest airport to Katra is [[Jammu Airport]] located at a distance of 50 kilometres. There are numerous helipads in and around Katra which have service to the [[Vaishno Devi Temple]].


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Katra}}
 
{{Wikivoyage|Katra}}
 
* [http://etrain.info/in?STATION=SVDK All Trains at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station]
* [http://etrain.info/in?STATION=SVDK All Trains at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613061947/http://maavaishnodevi.org/new1/index.html Official website of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613061947/http://maavaishnodevi.org/new1/index.html Official website of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board]

Latest revision as of 06:31, 22 July 2023

Katra
Temple City[citation needed]
Katra town1.JPG
Katra is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Katra
Katra
Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Katra is located in India
Katra
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
Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir
DistrictReasi
Elevation
875 m (2,871 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total9,008
Language
 • OfficialDogri, Hindi[2][3]
 • OtherKashmiri
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationJK
Literacy70%

Katra is a town in the Reasi district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, situated at the foot of the Trikuta Mountains, where the shrine of Vaishno Devi is located. Katra is located 24 km (15 mi) from the town of Reasi, 42 km (26 mi) from the city of Jammu and around 685 km (426 mi) north of the national capital New Delhi and is the base for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple.

Geography[edit]

The Trikuta Mountains in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India, also famous for the Vaishno-Devi temple
The town of Katra in the night.

Katra is located at 32°59′N 74°57′E / 32.98°N 74.95°E / 32.98; 74.95.[4] It has an average elevation of 875 metres (2,474 feet). The Banganga River passes through the village.

There have also been reports of possible oil reserves in the area[5]

Climate[edit]

Climate data for Katra (1981–2010, extremes 1980–2012)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 25.8
(78.4)
28.9
(84.0)
33.1
(91.6)
39.3
(102.7)
43.7
(110.7)
46.2
(115.2)
39.7
(103.5)
36.3
(97.3)
33.4
(92.1)
33.3
(91.9)
29.7
(85.5)
27.6
(81.7)
46.2
(115.2)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 21.8
(71.2)
24.3
(75.7)
29.1
(84.4)
35.2
(95.4)
39.2
(102.6)
40.2
(104.4)
35.8
(96.4)
33.1
(91.6)
32.1
(89.8)
30.9
(87.6)
27.3
(81.1)
23.2
(73.8)
40.8
(105.4)
Average high °C (°F) 17.1
(62.8)
19.2
(66.6)
23.7
(74.7)
29.6
(85.3)
34.0
(93.2)
35.2
(95.4)
31.2
(88.2)
29.9
(85.8)
29.8
(85.6)
28.0
(82.4)
23.9
(75.0)
19.5
(67.1)
26.7
(80.1)
Average low °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2)
8.1
(46.6)
12.0
(53.6)
16.7
(62.1)
20.5
(68.9)
22.2
(72.0)
21.7
(71.1)
21.3
(70.3)
19.3
(66.7)
15.0
(59.0)
11.0
(51.8)
7.8
(46.0)
15.1
(59.2)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9)
4.0
(39.2)
7.5
(45.5)
11.1
(52.0)
14.6
(58.3)
16.9
(62.4)
18.2
(64.8)
18.2
(64.8)
15.4
(59.7)
11.9
(53.4)
7.7
(45.9)
4.7
(40.5)
2.3
(36.1)
Record low °C (°F) 0.3
(32.5)
−1.0
(30.2)
3.0
(37.4)
5.5
(41.9)
10.0
(50.0)
14.2
(57.6)
16.2
(61.2)
10.8
(51.4)
10.0
(50.0)
9.0
(48.2)
4.6
(40.3)
1.1
(34.0)
−1.0
(30.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 110.3
(4.34)
131.2
(5.17)
141.7
(5.58)
75.0
(2.95)
61.3
(2.41)
137.2
(5.40)
589.6
(23.21)
635.1
(25.00)
199.6
(7.86)
35.2
(1.39)
23.4
(0.92)
58.7
(2.31)
2,198.3
(86.55)
Average rainy days 4.9 5.7 6.7 4.4 4.4 7.2 17.1 17.3 8.1 2.4 1.6 2.8 82.7
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 69 61 52 40 35 45 75 83 75 63 64 67 61
Source: India Meteorological Department[6][7]

Demographics[edit]

<div style="border:solid transparent;position:absolute;width:100px;line-height:0;

Religion in Katra (2011)[8]

  Hinduism (93%)
  Islam (3.8%)
  Sikhism (1.61%)
  Christianity (1.48%)
  Buddhism (0.03%)
  Not Stated (0.09%)

As of 2011 Indian Census, Katra had a total population of 9,008, of which 5,106 were males and 3,902 were females. The population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 1,012. The total number of literates in Katra was 6,841, which constituted 75.9% of the population with male literacy of 79.4% and female literacy of 71.4%. The effective literacy rate of the 7+ population of Katra was 85.6%, of which the male literacy rate was 89.2% and the female literacy rate was 80.8%. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population was 1,925 and 9 respectively. Katra had 1594 households in 2011.[1]

Languages[edit]

As per the 2011 census, the majority, 78.2% of the population spoke Dogri, followed by 10.6% Hindi, 2.5% Punjabi, 2.2% Assamese, and 1.4% Kashmiri speakers.[9]

Tourism[edit]

Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi. It has hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and dhabas. Free accommodation is also provided by some registered trusts in the form of sarais for the poor. The number of pilgrims who visit the shrine every year has increased from 1.4 million in 1986 to 8.2 million in 2009. A bazaar sells souvenirs, dry fruit, woolen garments, hosiery, and leather jackets. To reach Vaishno Devi, pilgrims register at Katra before starting the trek, and by registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance up to 100,000 INR while on the trek of 14 km. There is another trek of 2.5 km from Vaishno Devi temple to Baba Bhaironnath. Electric vehicles and helicopter services are available for pilgrims. A new ropeway system has just been inaugurated from the Vaishno Devi Bhawan to the Bhairon Baba Mandir, reducing the journey to time to just 3 minutes. The ropeway can carry 800 people every hour.

Panoramic view of Katra, seen from Vaishno Devi

Transport[edit]

Katra Railway Station, Vaishno Devi.

Road[edit]

Katra is well-connected by roads with other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India. The NH 144 passes through Katra. Presently, it takes around 12 hours to travel from New Delhi to Katra. The planned Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway will shorten the duration to 7 hours.[10]

Rail[edit]

The Jammu–Baramulla line connects the Katra Railway Station of Northern Railways to the rest of the Indian railways' network. It was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi on 4 July 2014.[11]

Air[edit]

The nearest airport to Katra is Jammu Airport located at a distance of 50 kilometres. There are numerous helipads in and around Katra which have service to the Vaishno Devi Temple.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Census of India: Katra". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  2. "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  3. "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  4. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Katra, India". www.fallingrain.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  5. Naqvi, Jawed (23 February 2008). "Joint search for oil in Kashmir". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  6. "Station: Katra Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 401–402. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  7. "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M76. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  8. "Katra Population". Census India. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  9. "C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Town level". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  10. "Delhi to Vaishno Devi in less than 7 hours: Delhi-Katra express road corridor to be completed by 2023". Times Now. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  11. "Modi flags off inaugural train from Katra". The Hindu. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2019 – via www.thehindu.com.

External links[edit]

Template:Hindu holy cities