Shrines of Kashmir

HazratBal Dargah

One of the greatest shrines of Kashmir, it is also called Dargah Sharief. It is located in a village of the same name on the western banks of the Dal; 10 kms away from Srinagar. It can be reached by road or by sailing in a shikara on Dal Lake. The old name of HazratBal is Sadiqabad. The entire Dargah is built of pristine white marble increasing its sanctity and piousness. Its elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake. HazratBal Dargah’s special significance is derived from the fact that it contains a hair of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs with street side stalls. The Moo-e-Muqaddas (Holy Hair) was brought to Kashmir by Khwaja Noor-ud-Din of Ishber in 1700.

Mosques of Srinagar City

There are many Mosques in the city of Srinagar. Some of the prominent Mosques are:

Akhoon Mulla Shah’s mosque:

This mosque was built by Dara Shikoh in 1649 for his tutor Akhoon Mulla Shah. It was one of the most beautiful mosques in Kashmir built in stone, although it is in ruins now.

Aali Masjid:

Mir Syed Mohammed Hamadani bought a large chunk of land in the north of Srinagar city to create an Eidgah (an open ground for Eid prayers). Ali Shah, the sultan of Kashmir built the Aali Masjid on the Eidgah in 1398.

Shah-i- Hamdan Mosque

The shrine of Sufi saint Shah-i-Hamdan who came from Persia in 13th century to preach Islam in Kashmir, is on the banks of Jhelum River. The spot where the mosque is constructed is known as Khanqah-i-Mohalla and it is here that the revered saint used to offer prayers. It is a wooden structure with a soaring roof like a tower. Fine Papier Mache workmanship adorns its walls and ceilings. It is one of the oldest mosques, with five facets, each of which has five arches, signifying the daily five prayers offered to Allah.

Jamia Masjid

Jamia Masjid is a wooden mosque constructed in Indo-Saracenic style architecture. It is the largest mosque in the state, built in 1400 by Sultan Sikander. 372 pillars made of deodar wood support the roof. A very large number of people gather on special occasions to offer prayers in this grand mosque.

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Other Shrines of Kashmir

Asar Sharief Pinjoora

The shrine is the most revered religious place in the district situated 12 kms from Pulwama. The shrine houses the holy relic of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) which is displayed on special occasions associated with the life of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Shrine of Shah Hamadan(Tral)

Situated in Tral town, the shrine is believed to have been built by Syed Ali Hamdani. People in large numbers throng the shrine on annual festival associated with the saint.

The Shrine of Syed Hassan Mantaqui

The shrine is situated on the national highway near Awantipora & is considered a very sacred place. People traveling on the national highway deposit coins & currency notes in the Shrine as a mark of respect and pray for a safe journey.

The Shrine of Sham Ded:

Sham Ded died and was buried in her own village. Sham means evening and Ded means elderly. The Saint was called Sham because when her spiritual guide Sheikh-ul-Alam died she carried the news to Baba Latief-ud-din Qazi and it was evening when she did so.

The Shrines of Syed Taj-ud-din and Syed Alla-ud-Din at Sikandarpora:

Syed Taj-ud-Din first went to Sukh nag to pursue his spiritual mission. After a longish stay there he went from village to village with the goal of reaching Sikandarpora. According to a legend, the Mala Kol stream followed him silently as he travelled from Sukh Nag to Sikandarpora, where he settled down and later died. His son Syed Alla-ud-din proved a worthy successor. The tombs of both are in Sikandarpora

Budgam Imambara:

Aga Syed Mehdi was a major spiritual leader of Shias around middle of 19th century. He used to pray under a Chinar tree. On his death another famous Shia guide Aga Syed Mohammad got the present Imambara constructed in 1857 near the Chinar tree.

Khanqah-e- Naqshbandi:

Khanqah-e-Naqshbandi is situated in the middle of Khanyar and Nowhatta localities in the Khwaja bazaar of Srinagar. This shrine was founded by Khwaja Khawand Mehmood Naqshbandi in 1433 and an amount of Rs. 45,000 was spent in those days on its construction. This shrine is also known as the Khanqah-e-Faiz Pana also. This place known as Khwaja Bazaar has its name after Khwaja Khawand Mehmood. After the construction of this shrine he proceeded to Lahore from Delhi where he expired in 1640. To look after the shrine and the affairs related to the Jagir, his son Khwaja Moinuddin Naqshbandi came to Kashmir. However when he died in 1674 these affairs were looked after by his wife. After her death her son Khwaja Ashrafuddin and thereafter Khwaja Nizamuddin looked after these affairs. The tombs of all four are at the same place.

Tujar Sharif:

Tujar village is situated at 67 kms away from Srinagar in the north of Sopore. This is the ancestral village of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom. There is a shrine which belongs to Makhdoom Sahib’s father Hazrat Baba Usman Raina and his brother Hazrat Baba Ali Raina who were the saints of high degree. He was a big landlord during the reign of Chak kings; his entire property was snatched away except the Tujar Sharif. Beside his devotion to God, Baba Usman used to look after the land himself. After his death a shrine was constructed on his grave.