Hazratbal
Mosque
Hazratbal
Mosque is located in a village of the same name on the banks of
the Dal. Its pristine white marble elegance is reflected in the
waters of the lake.
Hazratbal's
special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a
hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on
religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from
these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and
attended by throngs of people. Hazratbal is remarkable for being
the only domed mosque in Srinagar; the others having distinct
pagoda like roofs. The 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.
Shankaracharya
Temple
The sac
red
temple of Shankaracharya occupies the top of the hills known as
Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The site dates
back to 250BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya 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. In fact, the road below the hill, with residences of high-
ranking State Government officials, is still known as Gupkar road.
Built on a high octagonal plinth and approached by a flight of
steps with side walls that once bore inscriptions, the main
surviving shrine consists of a circular cell. 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, it appears, is not more than
a century old.
Khanqah of Shah Hamadan
Situated on the banks of the river Jhelum, between the third and
fourth bridge, it is the first mosque ever built in Sri
nagar.
The original one was built in 1395.
Shah
Hamadan's full name was Mir Sayed Ali Hamadni, the surname being
derived from the city of Hamadan in Persia. Shah-i-Hamdan, who
came from Persia in the 13th century, was responsible for the
spread of Islam in Kashmir. Khanqah-i-Mualla, on the banks
of the Jhelum, was the very spot where Shah-i-Hamdan used to offer
prayers.
After
staying in Kashmir for many years, he left for Central Asia via
Ladakh.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.
Hari
Parbat Fort & Temple of Sharika Devi
The Mughal
emperor's fort crowns the top of Hari Parbat hill. There is little
left of its former glory, but the rampar
ts
are still impressive and the old apartments within the fort, even
though in a state of ruin, still convey at least a little of the
grandeur of the Mughals’ summer retreat in ‘paradise’. The
fort was later developed in 18th century by an Afghan
governor, Ata Mohammad Khan. The hill is considered sacred to the
Hindus due to the presence of temple of Sharika, which is
believed to be a form of goddess Durga or Shakti. The wall
around the hill was built by Akbar in 1592-98 AD. The hill is
surrounded by almond orchards, which make a lovely sight during
April when the trees blossom, heralding the advent of spring in
Kashmir.
