The Hazratbal Shrine (Kashmiri: درگاه حَضْرَت بل), popularly called Dargah Sharif ("the Holy Shrine"), is a Muslim shrine located in Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It contains a relic, Moi-e-Muqqadas, which is widely believed to be the hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[1] It is situated on the northern bank of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, and is considered to be Kashmir's holiest Muslim shrine.[2]
Hazratbal Shrine
درگاہ حَضْرَت بل
District: Srinagar District
Region:Kashmir valley
Leadership: Jammu and Kashmir Muslim waqf Board
Status:Active
Location:Hazratbal Municipality Srinagar
State:Jammu and Kashmir
Country:India
Territory:Jammu and Kashmir
Geographic coordinates:34°7′45″N 74°50′32″E
Specifications
Length:105 metres (344 ft)
Width:25 metres (82 ft)
Dome(s):1
Minaret(s):1
The name of the shrine is a combination of the Persian word hazrat (lit. 'respected’) and the Kashmiri word bal (lit. 'place’)
Hazratbal Mosque is known by several names like Asar-e-Sharif, Dargah Sharif and Madinat-us-Sani. This shrine is situated on the banks of Dal Lake and is opposite to Nishat Bagh. It is a white marble mosque which has large mountains in the backdrop. The mosque has been built with a fusion of Mughal and Kashmiri styles of architecture.The word ‘Hazrat’ means holy or majestic and the Kashmiri word ‘bal’ refers to a place or an enclosure.
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 shrine was actually built as a pleasure house by Sadiq Khan, Subedar of Shah Jahan. Later, the pleasure house was converted into a house of prayer with the orders of Shah Jahan. Today, the place is a well known shrine which is visited thousands of people every year.
Hazratbal at night.
Distance from City Center: 10 kms
Reach by: Local Transport/ Taxi(recommended)
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Entry Fee: Rs. 0
Timings: 24hours
Open on: Everyday
