Katra is one of the finest places to visit in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and it is a real treat for the body, mind, and soul.
Located 10 kms from Katra (1 km on foot) is Baba Dhansar, a beautiful and cool picnic spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before flowing into the holy Banganga . Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed Shivling' on which droplets of water fall naturally all the year round. A major mela' (fair) is held here during Shivratri . The holy place of Baba Dhansar is located at Karua Jheel (Pond) near village Karua, 17 km from Reasi towards Katra in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir State, India. The approach involves a walk of 200 metres from the road.
About 50 kms from Reasi and 78 kms from Katra, is one of the most venerated cave-shrines of Lord Shiva in the region. This holy cave is nearly 100 metres long ending into a huge hall, and houses a 4 foot high Svayambhu lingam which constantly bathes in a milky limestone fluid dripping from a tiny stalactite jutting down from the ceiling. The cave is formed in the shape of lord Shiva damroo i.e. wider at the two ends and narrow at the centre. The presence of naturally formed figurines of the deities adds to the religious significance of the Holy Cave. A major 3 day fair is held here on Shivratri day every year during which tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the Shrine. Visited by over 4.50 lac pilgrims making it one the most revered pilgrimage spots of Jammu.
Situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by a group of other temples, this temple dedicated to Lord Rama is outstanding and unique in northern India. Work on the temple was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1835 AD and was completed by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, in 1860 AD. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many galleries with lakhs of 'Saligrams'. The surrounding temples are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic Rarnayana.
Patnitop is enveloped by thickly wooded forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountainscape of the Chenab basin. In winter, the resort is generally covered with a thick mantle of snow thus providing opportunities for various snow games including skiing. It is the best developed tourist spot of Jammu and is second to none in its natural charm, climate, pine forests and lush green cover. This famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 metres across which the Jammu- Srinagar Highway passes.
The first hill resort on this circuit, Kud (1738 meters), is a picturesque town located just 9 Kms short of Patnitop. With green pines growing all around this resort commands a panoramic view of the terraced valley downwards and the mountains beyond. Besides enjoying a cool climate in summer, it is also has a number of sweets shops and is famous for Patisa, a specialty sweet prepared in Desi ghee. Kud is a town and a notified area committee in Udhampur District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is about 5 Km from the popular tourist place Patnitop and famous for local sweet known as "Desi Ghee Patisa"(Soan Papdi) another name of the sweet made up of milk products. Desi Ghee is a milk product and patisa is known as Papdi.
Mata Vaishno Devi is a manifestation of Mother Goddess and is popularly known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi. The Holy Cave of Mata Vaishno Devi is located at an altitude of 5,200 ft in the Trikuta Hills, which is known as the Bhawan. Tourists have to trek for 12 km from the base camp of Katra to reach the holy cave.
Sanasar is about 17 kilometers away from Patnitop.Because of its picturesque landscapes and dense forests, it is famous for its aero-adventure sports.The main thrill-packed sports include rock climbing, parasailing, paragliding, bungee, skydiving, abseiling, and hot-air balloon.It is also known as “Mini Gulmarg”.
Charan Paduka is a sacred destination that is at 3380 feet just 1.5 kms from Banganga. It is believed that the Goddess Durga decided to stay at this place, when she was chased by Bhairavnath. Devotees from various geographical locations of the world visit the Charan Paduka temple to pay homage at the footprints of the Goddess etched on a large piece of rock.
The Temple of Sudh Mahadev is about 50 kms away from District Headquarter of Udhampur Tourism. A few kilometres further you will find Mantalai Temple at an elevation of 1450 metres from the ground. The surrounding area is peaceful and cries for maintenance.During festivals and fairs people visit this temple to listen to the songs by the sages and saints.