Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, June 9: Sarovar Hotels today opened The Vaishnodevi Sarovar Portico Katra.
Its latest outpost and first in Katra, at the foothills of Shri Vaishno Devi Ji, which is inaugurated jointly by Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels and Pushpa Devi, Chairperson, Katra Mata Vaishno Devi Hotels and Restaurants Private Limited here today in presence of Parvez Dewan, Former Advisor to Governor/Secretary Tourism Government of India, KMVDHR Private Limited Managing Director, Rakesh Wazir, Director Raj Singh, Shashi Thakur, Chairman Hotel Association Katra Shyam Lal Kesar, Senior Vice President Virender Kesar and others.
While speaking on the occasion, Bakaya said, “Sarovar Hotels pilgrim portfolio comprises of hotels in Amritsar, Badrinath, Bodhgaya, Haridwar, Junagadh, Somnath, Tirupati and Vrindavan. The hotel seamlessly complements Sarovar’s existing hotels in J&K including RK Sarovar Portico, Srinagar and Viraj Sarovar Portico, Jammu”.
He further adds Katra not just serves as the base camp for devotees going to Mata Vaishno Devi temple but also to nearby places of tourist attraction. Katra also offers other sightseeing options–Patnitop, Sanasar, Mansar lake, Nau Devian, Dhansar, Dera Baba Banda, Siar Baba and Devi Pindian, all in close vicinity of the hotel.
Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels said, “We are delighted to open yet another hotel in the pilgrim destination, Katra. With Jammu and Kashmir emerging as one of our key markets, we look forward to further growth and increased traffic contribution from our hotels here. We will continue to focus on our expansion and also strengthen our position as we look to spread farther across North India.”
Rakesh Wazir Managing Director of KMVD Hotels and Restaurants Private Limited said, “The Vaishnodevi Sarovar Portico is a green 1.5 acres property at the entrance of Katra, adjoining SMVD Shrine Board Central office, 500 meters before Katra Bus Stand and 550 meters from newly made Railway Station. The holy Trikuta Mountains, where Goddess Vaishnodevi ji lives can be seen from within and outside the hotel. The hotel, in addition to double rooms, has spacious suites also. Restaurant with 100 per cent pure vegetarian cuisine offering North Indian, South Indian, Chinese and continental cuisine. For social gatherings it offers spacious conference/banquet hall facility. We look forward to welcome our guests”.