Kashmir Temples and Shrines

Jammu and Kashmir is like a heaven of god for millions of people who proceed on pilgrimage to the numerous shrines and holy sites in which the state abounds. There is hardly any town or city in Kashmir which does not have a shrine of its own. Some of the famous pilgrimage shrines in Kashmir are Hazratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple, Khanqah Shah Hamadan Mosque, Makhdoom Sahib, Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara, Martand, Kheer Bhawani Temple and Amarnath Cave.

shrine – mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the Dal Lake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond.

Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in Kashmir. The Jama Masjid at Nowhatta, in the heart of the old city, is the other important mosque in Srinagar in which thousands of people congregate for the Friday prayers. The foundation of this mosque was laid by Sikandar in 1398 AD. This mosque was originally built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD out of wood and bricks, and enlarged by his son, Zain-ul- Abidin. Jama Masjid is the prominent example of the Kashmiri mosque, and combination of Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist styles of architecture distinguished by its tall spires. Inside, the masjid are the frayed carpets and stone alcoves and the 40-foot high wooden columns, out of which about 300 of them support the roof. Destroyed thrice by fire and rebuilt by Aurangzeb in 1674, who, when he heard that fire had gutted the mosque, first asked whether the chinars were safe. Even now, there are chinars in the courtyard. The mosque, as it now stands, was repaired during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh. In the upper hall, there are the intricately wrought Khatamband roof, the glint of chandeliers, the mirror-work on the pillars and the papier-mache on the walls. In the summer and autumn, the hall is used for weddings and dinners for about 350 people.

Shankaracharya Temple
The Shankaracharya temple is the unique landmark of Srinagar. The sacred temple of Shankaracharya occupies the top of the hill known as Takht-I-Sulaiman, about 1000 feet high in the south-east of Srinagar. The site dates back to 250 BC. The temple is built in the memory of the philosopher Shankaracharya who stayed at this place when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive Sanatan Dharma. Before this date, the temple was known as Gopadri, as an earlier edifice on the same site was built by king Lalitaditya in the 6th century AD. Built on a high octagonal plinth and approached by a flight of steps with side walls that once bore inscriptions, the main temple consists of a circular cell and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It overlooks the Valley and can be approached by a motorable road. A modern ceiling covers the inner sanctum and an inscription in Persian traces its origin to the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan. The original ceiling was dome-shaped and the brick roof is not more than a century old.

very spot where Shah-i-Hamdan used to offer prayers. This mosque is believed to have a relic of the sacred hair of the Prophet Mohammad. This mosque is made entirely of wood and named after the saint who is credited with the peaceful conversion of millions of Hindus into Islam. A mosque established by him at Shey, near Leh attracts devotees from far and wide. The Khanqah is a wooden structure whose chief aesthetic feature is its beautifully carved eaves and hanging bells. The interiors are richly carved and painted, and the antique chandeliers give it an air of opulence. The non-Muslims are not allowed into the mosque but they can only see the intricately painted papier-mâché ceiling and doors.

Makhdoom Sahib
On the southern side of the Hari Parbat hill is the historic shrine of Makhdoom Sahib, which is visited by people of all faiths.

Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara
The sixth Sikh guru travelled through Kashmir, stopping to preach occasionally. A gurudwara has been built at the exact site of each of these halts. The most important one among these is Chhatti Padshahi gurudwara, situated near the Kathi Darwaza, in Rainawari, Srinagar, which is held in great reverence by devotees of all faiths.

Martand
Martand, located atop a plateau, close to the township of Anantnag, has a temple dedicated to Surya, the "Sun God". Built by king Laitaditya Muktapida (7th to 8th century AD), it is a medieval temple with a colonnaded courtyard and the shrine in its centre. The temple complex has 84 columns and offers a commanding view of the valley of Kashmir.

Kheer Bhawani Temple
The Goddess Ragnya Devi is symbolized as a sacred spring at Tula Mula village, 27 kms from Srinagar. Within the spring is a small marble temple. The devotees of the goddess fast and gather here on the eighth day of the full moon in the month of May when, according to belief, the goddess changes the colour of the spring's waters. The temple-spring complex is affectionately known as Kheer Bhawani because of the thousands of devotees who offer milk and 'kheer' to the sacred spring, which magically turns black to warn of disaster.

formed from iced snow. According to the legend, the Lord Shiva narrated to Parvati the secret of creation, in the caves of Amarnath. Without their knowledge, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on their conversation and having learnt it, they were reborn over and over again and since, have made this cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims have spotted these doves here. During the month of Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shivlinga which waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. The most auspicious occasion to visit Amarnath for a pilgrimage is on the night of the full moon in the month of Sawan. The Amarnath yatra is done only once in the month of July to August as it is totally cut off from the rest of the world during winter. The dates of the yatra varies every year due to the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Sawan. More....