A small town located in Udhampur district, and famed for its proximity to the shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi, Katra is one of India’s top pilgrim destinations. One can reach the shrine from Katra, which serves as a base camp for the pilgrims. The temple is positioned about 14 km from Katra and one can start his/her yatra either on foot or by taking a pony when on a tour to Jammu. The tourism industry is robust in Katra, which means there are sufficient hotels, restaurants and eating joints that suit all sorts of travelers who throng from different parts of the globe. There are also a few registered trusts for those seeking free accommodation in Katra, as well.