Situated at a distance of 31 km from Jammu, Katra, which is the home of the Vaishno Devi Temple is one of India’s most important religious pilgrimages. This pious town is set in the foothills of the Himalayas, making it an even more serene place to visit.

Having an idea about the climate before travelling to a place is very important, as it gives us time to plan for the trip. Having said that, the weather in Katra is sub-tropical, with each season having a unique climate and different things to do during that season. Summers are highly humid and hot with temperatures rising to an average of 35°C-40°C. Though a little humid, the weather in the monsoon season is rather pleasant and there are chances of heavy rainfall with temperatures dropping down quite drastically, making it a good time to visit the religious town. The winters here are chilly with temperatures dropping to 0°C to -2°C. Although the summer time is ideal for devotees to go for a pilgrimage, it is also the peak season to visit the Shrine. Though the most ideal time to visit Katra depends from person to person, it is best to visit during the monsoon or even the winters to avoid the rush and have a smooth holy journey. Also, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of nature during these months.

Although the scorching heat of the summer months in Katra can make it a challenging time to visit, it is during this time that most pilgrims wish to travel to Katra to seek blessing from the Goddess of Vaishno Devi. The summer season in Katra starts mid April with temperatures as low as 15°C, with May, June and July seeing a high of almost 35°C to 40°C. The summer months are the peak season for devotees because these months are the festival period of Chaitra and Sharad-Ashwin witness a huge sea of crowd. Late evenings and nights are fairly cooler than the daytime, which is relieving after a whole day of sightseeing or worship. Accommodation during this time varies from place to place and usually is a bit high due to the massive crowd.

After the blazing summer, the land starts to cool off and Monsoon starts to set in with some cool showers from July to September. Witness the beauty of Mother Nature at her best during these months of Monsoon, where the scenery of this religious town becomes even more picturesque. Lush green forests, with clear streams passing by and gushing waterfalls are sights that you will see during the rainy season. If you want to avoid the peak season and also enjoy the pristine charm of Katra, the monsoons may be a good time to go as usually there is no rush and you can enjoy a relaxing time. But, on the hind side, there are chances of mudslides occurring which makes the hike to the temple very risky due to the slippery slopes. Since this is an off season time, accommodation is fairly cheap and fits the travel budget.

If you want to pay a visit to the ‘Devi’ in the cold winter months between October and March, start packing those woolens and mufflers because it can get very cold in Katra. Temperatures during the peak winter months like December, January and February can drop down to a freezing -2°C, making it pretty cold. Also, the roads are extremely slippery due to the formation of ice and could be dangerous to travel around, especially to visit the Vaishno Devi Temple. The journey through the caves of the temple during the winter time is a magical experience. The breath taking beauty of Katra is best enjoyed during this season and apt for people who love adventures and want to experience the north for its pristine beauty.