Considered by many to be the holiest shrine in India, Vaishno Devi attracts millions of pilgrims every year. Situated at an elevation of 5,200 ft on the Trikuta Mountains, the Holy Cave of Vaishno Devi is nearly 14 km from the base camp at Katra. There are several tourist places near Vaishno Devi Temple that travelers can visit after completing their pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi.
Here are some sightseeing places nearby Vaishno Devi Temple:
Jammu is the winter capital of the Jammu &Kashmir bedecked on the banks of river Tawi. Jammu is known for its landscapes, Dogra culture, ancient temples, museums, gardens and forts. Jammu is a serene city enclosed by great Himalayas in the north. Katra (base camp for Vaishno Devi trek) is 50 kms from Jammu. Some of the famous temples in Jammu which you can visit are Raghunath temple, Peer Kho temple, Ranbireshwar temple, Mahamaya temple. Apart from temples one can also visit Amar Mahal Museum, Baag-e-Bahu Park and Mansar Lake.
One of the beautiful hill stations in the Jammu region, Patni Top or Patnitop is located in Udhampur districi in Jammu and Kashmir. It is famous for its picturesque surroundings and activities like skiing, trekking. Patnitop sits at an elevation of 6,640 ft. The gushing Chenab river is located at the vicinity of the hill station. One can rejoice the beauty of green meadows covered with thick Deodar and Blue Pine trees.
Sanasar, located 17 kms from Patni Top, is also a popular destination known for paragliding base, golf courses along with extended sightseeing options. Patni Top is 80 kms from Katra.
Mansar is a beautiful lake enclosed by long stretch of forest-covered hills. A temple dedicated to Sheshnag is one of the major attraction located on the eastern bank of the lake. Sharing legends with the divine Lake Mansarovar makes Mansar a pristine holy site. Umapati Mahadev & Narsimha are two famous temples located at the vicinity of the lake.People can enjoy boating amidst the rich flora & fauna found here. Mansar is located just 62 km from Jammu.
Around the lake a fine cemented path with projected view desk has been build up. From where people can enjoy the view of different species of tortoise, fishes and seasonal birds. Tourists can also visit the Surinsar and Surinsar -Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary located nearby the lake.
Located at a distance of 125 kms from Jammu , Batote sits at an altitude of 1,560 m. Batote is a resort town perched on the forested slopes of the Patnitop mountain range, overlooking the spectacular Chenab gorge. This scenic place is a very well developed tourist spot with lots of commercial activities and facilities. The region is famous for its pleasant weather during summer and enchanting greenery. During winters Batote remain covered in snow. It is approximately 15 km beyond Patnitop on NH 44 in Ramban district of Jammu & Kashmir.
Blessed with extreme natural beauty, Jhajjar Kotli is a beautiful town located just 16 km from Katra. It is one of the most favored picnic spots of the state. The main attraction of this beautiful tourist place is the clear and refreshing cool water of Jujjar. To facilitate the tourists, there is a wonderful tourist bungalow in Jhajjar Kotli that is maintained by J&K tourism.
Jhajjar Kotli is an ideal destination for people looking for an escape from their busy life. This place offers soothing arena where people can just sit back and relax.
Situated 106 km from Jammu, Kud is an restful destination settled in Udhampur district. This popular resort sits at an altitude of 1,738 m. It is situated on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. The mesmerizing weather of this place makes Kud an ideal picnic spot. Encircled by dense forests, there are many camping options available for adventure & nature lovers.
This place is known for its mouth watering local sweet known as ‘patista’ or ‘Desi Ghee Patista’. It is a sweet made up of milk products. So, whenever you visit Kud don’t forget to savor this popular delicacy.
Baba Dhansar is a prominent Hindu shrine situated close to Karua Jheel. It is located near Karua village in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir district, around 17 km from Reasi towards Katra. To reach the temple devotees have to take 200 m walk. The entire stretch towards the temple is full of greenery and adorned with cascading waterfalls that later join the Banganga River.
The major feature of this place is a turquoise pond and a holy rivulet. Near the rivulet a naturally formed Shivalingam is present. On this Shivalingam milky water droplets fall continuously throughout the year.