Historic Places and Monuments

The Kashmir region abounds in places of historical and archaeological significance, important among which are :

Hazratbal Shrine

The Hazratbal Shrine, which is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. This unmatched reverence is anchored in the love and respect for the Prophet Mohammad(peace be upon him), whose Moi-e-Muqqadas, (the sacred hair) is preserved here. The shirne is known by many names including Hazrathbal , Assar-e-Sharief, madinat-us-Sani,Dargah Sharief and Dargah.Sadiq Khan,laid out a garden here and constructed a palacial building,Ishrat mahal or Pleasure House, in 1623. The construction of the present marble structure was started by the Muslim Aquaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1968 and completed in 1979.The Moi-e-Muqqadas is displayed on various occasions related with the life of the Prophet and his four holy companions.

Shankarcharya Temple

It is located at 1100ft.above surface level of the main city on the Shankaracharya hill, also known as Takht-e-Suleiman. The shiva temple, as Kalhana belives, was constructed by Raja Gopadatya in 371 B.C.and as such is the oldest shirne in Kashmir. Dogra ruler,Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed stone stairs upto the temple. In 1925,the temple was electrifed. The temple, besides a prominent religious place of Hindus, is of great archaeological importance. The temple commands a magnificient panoramic view of the Srinagar city.

Khanqah-e-Moulla

The shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah-e-Moulla is one of the oldest muslim shrines in kashmir situated on the bank of the river Jhelum in the old city.

Jamia Masjid

It is one of the oldest and the most spacious of all the mosques in Kashmir, situated in the heart of the city.The foundation of the mosque, an architectural wonder was laid by Sultan Sikander in 1398 A.D.The area of the mosque is 384ftX381ft. spacious enough for over thirty thousand people to offer prayers at a time.

Badshuhnun Dumat

The tomb of the mother of Sultan Zain-Ul-Abideen(1420-70) popularly known as Badshah is a splendid representative piece of the Shahmiri architecture. The monument,situated on the right bank of the river Jehlum near Zaina Kadal is the only one of its kind in and around kashmir which, compared to the wooden structures of the shahmiri period,is a wholly brick structure.

Hari Parbat Fort

Another historical monument of Srinagar is the Hari Parbat Fort constructed by the Afghan Governer,Atta Mohammad Khan(1808-10),on the top of the Hari Parbat or Koh-e-Maraan hill. The architecture of the Fort is similar to that of the forts in Central Asia.

Khir Bhawani Temple

Situated at Tullamula in the Srinagar district,is an important hindu shrine.The temple is associated with the hindu goddess,Ragnya Devi.An annual festival is held here on Jesht Ashtami(May-June) when hindus visit the place in large numbers to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the diety. In addition ,there are umpteen places of religious importance in Srinagar.

Mattan

The temples of Mattan are located midway between Anantnag and Pahalgam. There is a Shiva Temple in the centre of a deep pond.

Martand

This is a significant Archaelogical site. Its impressive Architecture reveals the glorious past of the area. All that remains of the temple is a central rectangular building surrounded by a court and rectangular colonnade.

Shrines

The most important shrine is of Amarnath cave situated about 48 KMs from Pahalgam which attracts devotees from all over the world. It is located in the upper reaches of the Distt at an altitude of about 13000ft. from the sea level. Shrine is believed to be an abode of lord Shiva.

There are famous temples at Anantnag,Deviangan,Bijbehara, Akingam,Lukbhavan, and Goswami Gund,Nagdandi Ashram.

The famous shrines of Bab-Zain-Ud-Din Wali is existing at Aishmuqam.

The shrine of Baba-Hyder Rishi is located at Anantnag. He is the last giant of Rishi order of saints.

Bandipore

This town lies on the east bank of Wullar lake and is also called the "Port of Wullar". The roads to Gurez and Gilgit lead from this town. A beautiful park at the pattern of Famous Nishat Bagh exists there.

Gurez
It is a beautiful valley located 86Kms from Bandipopre. River Kishenganga flows through it.

Pattan

This is an old town and remained capital of Kashmir during Shankervarman regime. It is 26 Kms from Srinagar.

Tomb of Sheikh Noor-ud-din-Noorani

The tomb of Alamdar-e-Kashmir is situated 28 Kms in southwest of Srinagar at Chrar-e- Sharif in Budgam District. The shrine on the burial site was constructed by the then ruler of Kashmir Zain ul Abideen. Sheikh Noor-ud-din was born in Kaimoh and his ancestors belonged to Kishtwar. He was a pious soul and travelled throughout Kashmir to spread the message of his religion. He meditated for 12 years inside a cave. Four centuries after his death Afghan governor Atta Mohd. Khan issued coins in his name. The shrine alongwith Khanqah was gutted in a devatating fire in 1995. A new shrine is planned to be constructed in its place.

The Shrine of Khan Saheb

It is situated in the Khan saheb block of the District.It is associated with famous saint Hazrat Saleh Khan who belonged to village Pakhla of Pakistan. Syed Saleh Khan also meditated inside a cave for 12 years and stayed in Srinagar for some time.He was also a fine calligrapher.

ImamBara Budgam

The Imambara is a holy place for Shiiete Muslims of Kashmir. This building was constructed in the year 1857. The present imambara is octagonal and has five main enterances each of 12ft width. One of the doors is reserved for women. The Imambara is a piece of indo-Iranian architectureand commands great reverence among Shia masses.

Ziarat Alamdar-E-Kashmir

The land of Khag was fortunate enough to have Sheikh noor-Ud-Din as a visitor. Sheikh selected a rock a Khag for meditation and this bears the imprints of his feet. This rock is known as shah Kaen. A shrine is built there in the memory of the saint.

The Tomb of Sham Ded

Sham ded was a daughter of a Iron smith in Poshker village and was initiated into sprituality by Sheikh-ul-Alam. The pious lady after his death was laid to rest in Poshker village and a shrine was construted there. Other shrines of various pious saints abound in Budgam. These are shrines of : Baba Latif-ud-Din, Syed Mohd. Samri, Hazrat Ganga Baba Rishi, Zia -ud-Din Bukhari.

Muqam-e-Shahwali

Mazar-e- sharief of Zattishah at Village Mugamnear Drugmullafour Kms from Kupwara Town.Urs is celebrated in the month of May.

Ziarat -i- Baba Abdullah Gazi

Situated at Kralpora guzrail about 20 Kms from Kupwara town in the northwest.

Shrine of Prakash Akhoon

Located at Gushi 3 Kms from Kupwara town. Prakash pandit was a prominent scholar of Arabic,Persian, Urdu and Sanskrit languages.

Kheer Bhawani Asthapan

Located at Tikker on chowkibal road about 1 Km from Kupwara town. Anniversary is celebrated in the month of April-May.

The Avantishwar Temple

The Awantishwar temple at Jawbrari is the significant monuments present in the district. The temple was built by Raja AwantiVarma in the 9th Century A.D when he chose as his capital instead of Srinagar.

The Payer Temple

Payer temple is situated about 3 Kms in the south of Pulwama district. The temple is known after the village,Payer, where it is situated. Vigne, Cunningham and some other travellers call it Payech temple.

Asar Sharief Pintoora

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

The Shrine of Shah Hamdan

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

Jama Masjid Shopian

The mosque is said to have been built during the Mughal period. Shopian was an important stopover on the Mughal road across the Pir Panjal used by the Mughals to visit Kashmir. The other important muslim shrines are situated at Awantipora and Pampore. These are the shrines of Syed Hussan Mantaqui,Mir Mohammad Hamdani and Namat Ullah Shog Baba Sahab.

Return to Top