Tourism
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 that 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 one should not miss the opportunity to walk through the main bazaar (market) for buying (do not forget/hesitate to negotiate a bit) souvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc. To reach Vaishno Devi temple the pilgrims have to register at the Katra before starting the trek. By registering, the pilgrims get accidental insurance while on the trek for 1 lakh INR. It is a trek of 10.5 km. There is another trek (1.5 km) from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba Bhaironnath. It is said that the pilgrimage is not complete until you visit this temple at last. The scenery throughout the trek is picturesque. Environment-friendly auto rickshaws and helicopter services also have started now-a-days to make the journey a pleasant one.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, commonly referred to as SMVD University or SMVDU, is a Central Funded University on an 470-acre (190 ha) campus located near Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated near the Shrine of the Mata Vaishno Devi, after which it is named. The university is fully residential and provides technical education in the field of Engineering, Science, Management, Philosophy and other subjects of contemporary importance, with all technical courses recognised by AICTE, CIC, COA. With the focus on higher learning & research, SMVDU has established itself in the league of eminent institutions of learning in the country. It is ranked 25th in a survey of top Indian engineering colleges by popular magazine Outlook (magazine) in 2013.
Vaishno Devi Base Camp
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.
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