One mosque that is relatively free of external disturbance is the Dastgir Sahib dargah situated in Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley. Communal harmony and syncretism are the features of this mosque for many centuries.
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.
The Jama Masjid at Nowhatta, in the heart of the old city, is the other important mosque in Srinagar at which thousands of people congregate for the Friday prayers.
An ancient mosque, many times destroyed and restored over the centuries, Jama Masjid is a monument of the wonderful Islamic architecture. The present mosque, an impressive building without any topped dome, was built in 1674. The Jama Masjid has four spires tower which is visible above the rooflines. The mosque’s main attractions are the prayer halls, which are covered by numerous pillars, around 370 in number; each one is made of single piece of deodar trunk.
An inspirational religious place, one that no visitor can miss during the visit in Srinagar, Jyeshtheshvara Temple has many myths associated with it. One of them relates the temple to the Pandavas in the 5th century, another gives the credit to King Gopaditya built during 6th century and a third claim is that it was Ashoka’s ‘son’ Jaluka who first built this temple.
Khanqah of Khwaja Moinuddin Naqsbandi, also known as Naqshband Shrine, is a renowned shrine located in the heart of Srinagar. This is a very important Muslim religious attraction. This mosque is famed for the fact that the sacred hair (Moi-e-Muqaddas) of the Prophet Mohammed was kept initially here in this holy place, before moving it to the Hazratbal Mosque.
This shrine, built during the time of Shah Jahan, receives lot of attractions for the astonishing khatamband ceilings including archaeologically important inscriptions with ancient architectural beauty.
Khanqah-e-Moulla, also called the shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan. Situated on the banks of the river Jhelum, between the third and fourth bridge, it is the first mosque ever built in Srinagar. 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.
Kheer Bawani Asthapan, dedicated to Devi Kheer Bawani, is situated in the Tikker village. Several tourists visit the Asthapan during the annual mela celebration. The Hindu tourists take community bath and throw ornaments and clothes in the nearby spring. They are of the opinion that during the 8th of Jeth if the colour of the thrown clothes turns blue then they will lead a secure life. However, if the colour changes to black then the life will be of struggles.
One of the most sacred shrines in Kashmir, Makhdoom Sahib Shrine is located on the southern side of Hari Parbat Hill in Srinagar. This double storied mosque, in the name of the Sufi saint Makhdoom Sahib or Hazrat Sultan, placed below the attractive Mughal Fort alias the Hari Parbat Fort, is a structure with many pillars and is a rare example of Mughal architectural style.
The masjid of Akhund Mulla or Akhoon Mulla is considered as the mosque within a mosque, as the main sanctuary is a separate and detached building, placed within a courtyard surrounding the mosque.
The little mosque built by Dara Shikoh in attractive glossy grey limestone, son of Shah Jahan to honor his tutor Akhun Mulla Shah is located below the Makhdum Sahib mosque. The stone lotus erected over the podium is the only model of its type existing in Kashmir and has an inscription dated back to 1649. The main feature of the mosque is the specially constructed prayer chamber.
Enthusiastic archaeologists and historians are welcomed to this mosque. Pathar Masjid, the biggest surviving Mughal structure in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is located across the Jhelum river and faces the Shah Hamdan mosque. The mosque, built by Noor Jahan in 1623 AD, consists of nine arches in the style of horizontal construction.
