Places Of Interest
Places of interest apart from Shrine
Besides the temple at Vaishno Devi, the nearby surroundings are blessed with undulating slopes and spectacular sights. Apart from being world-famous as a significant pilgrimage destination, places amidst the Trikuta hills have many religious, historical, and stunning places. Jammu itself is heaven on Earth, but the places around Vaishno Devi are celestial on a whole new level. Check out these places that you must visit after your darshan at Vaishno Devi Shrine.
#1 Baba Dhansar
After Vaishno Devi, this is another place in Jammu and Kashmir where the tourists come from all across the world every year. It is mainly known for its scenic locale because of its proximity to the Karua Jheel. The idol of Baba Dhanesar is worshipped here. He was believed to be the son of Vasudev, who helped Lord Krishna to kill an atrocious demon that emerged from the lake.
#2 Mcleodganj
This small, mesmerizing hill station in Himachal Pradesh is famous for Dalai Lama and Buddhism. It is a hit among foreign travelers and among people who love trekking expeditions. The hills come alive with greenery and spectacular beauty during the Buddha Purnima. You can expect the place to be a beautiful intersection of spirituality and beauty.
#3 Katra
Katra is one of the most picturesque regions in J&K that is famed for the Vaishno Devi temple. However, there are other places as well, like the Nau Devi Cave temple and Shivkori. You can explore the town a little bit as well as enjoy delectable food items and breathtaking sceneries.
#4 Patnitop
Patnitop is a hill station that is situated 66540 feet above sea level. The road to the place is lined with dreamy cedar and pine trees, and you can see the snowfall during winters here. The place is so enthralling that even the locals come from the rest of J&K to revive their tired souls and re-energize. There are provisions for adventure activities here as well, so do try activities like skiing, paragliding, etc.
#5 Dalhousie
This is another hill station that will melt your heart while enticing your eyes. The place is influenced by colonial culture, so you will see some beautiful Scottish and British homes in the town. You can camp here while sleeping beneath the starry skies or take some Instagram-worthy pictures while posing for your wanderlust.
#6 Pahalgam
Located in the Lidder Valley, Pahalgam is a dream destination where the Kolahoi glacier lies. You can stay at Aru to get some bewitching snaps of the valley. The place looks like it is straight out of a Disney movie because of the lovely orchards and the roads lined with pine trees.
#7 Tulian Lake
Situated peacefully in the heart of the Pir Pranjar Mountain Range and Zanskar River, the Tulian Lake has clear green water that reflects the mountains. The journey through the path of the lofty mountains is quite an adventure and if you are an avid adventurer, then you can take the trail from Baisaran that offers you Kashmir’s complete new kind of beauty.
#8 Chandanwari
The Chandanwari is known to be the source of Amarnath Yatra which is held during the month of Sawan. You can visit the place because there are lush valleys and great mountains that wait with arms wide open to welcome the tourists all around the year.
#9 Srinagar
Srinagar is the capital of J&K, and it has lush pastures, loft-snow-clad mountains with babbling rivers, and charming gardens. Don’t forget to miss the boating expeditions in Dal Lake and do visit the apple orchards. Get your hands on the stitched shawls and pashminas and do shop some rugs and carpets for your place to take the colorful vibe of Kashmir to home.
#10 Jhajjar Kotli
This is one phenomenal tourist place in Jammu and Kashmir with all the modern facilities. You can spend some time on the banks of the Jujjar River here while gazing at the mountains. The best part is that there are proper seating arrangements and you will find the place alongside the highway so you won’t have to drive further.
#11 Himkoti
If you are visiting Vaishno Devi with your friends and family and you are planning for a picnic then Himkoti is your go-to destination. You can take some time out of your pilgrimage and visit Himkoti to bask in the splendid view of the green hill stations near Katra. The dense, magnetic vegetation and the calming environment are a home to bewitching natural gifts residing in the arms of nature.
#12 Bagh-e-Bahu
Situated 45 kms from Katra, Bagh-e-Bahu is an ideal destination to evaporate all your tiredeness of the steep slopes and trekking. Do visit the fort that houses some riveting tales and a humble temple of Mahakali inside it.
#13 Go paragliding at Sanasar
Located somewhat 17 km away from Patnitop, Sanasar is the Mini Gulmarg of Kashmir. It has some lush stunning forest, magnificent hills and a calm, babbling lake. Indulge in some adventure sports like hot air ballooning, paragliding and horse riding to give your body that adrenaline rush. While in Sanasar do visit the Naag Temple, witness the waterfalls and take some picture-perfect photos at the Hidden creek.
#14 Raghunath Temple
Located 8kms away from the city of Jammu, the Raghunath Temple is a site of stunning architecture and traditional design. It is dedicated to Lord Rama and it was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Raghunath Temple is amongst the largest temples in Northern India and it reflects the Mughal architectural style and the main tower follows Sikh architectural style. There are also several paintings that showcase religious verses from the holy epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, so do look for them when you visit the place.
#15 Ladakh
Once you have finished your pilgrimage, if you have enough time on your hands then you can head towards Leh and Ladakh for an immersive dose of adventure. You can try sand dune driving and there are several mountain eagles soaring majestically with their wings in the sky which makes the place every photographer’s delight.
Try to visit at least one or two of these places during your next visit to Vaishno Devi and explore the magnificence of the mountains!