Amarnath Caves

The Amarnath caves, located in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism. Dedicated to the god Shiva, the shrine is claimed to be over 5,000 years old and forms an important part of ancient Hindu mythology. The cave is covered with snow for most of the year. Only for a short period in summer, the entrance is accessible.

Inside the main Amarnath cave is an ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati. There are two other ice formations representing Parvati and Shiva’s son, Ganesha.

This legend is confirmed (at least in the eyes of believers) by flocks of doves near the cave, with no vegetation around.One of the most important event during July/ August, is Amarnath Yatra to the Holy Pilgrimage. This is an annual event when thousands of Hindus from different corners of the Globe visit Amarnath caves. The pilgrims trek from Pahalgam to these caves and worship the great ice Lingam.

Charar-e-Sharif

Charar-i-sharief is probably one of the most ancient of shrines which stands tall in the valley of Jammu & Kashmir. Inheriting a heritage of about 600 years old, Charar-i-sharief was built to pay homage to one of the holy saints of Sufism - Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani. Also referred as Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali, Charar-i-sharief has went through many a tumultuous times. During the war of Indian and Pakistani Army, the shrine was badly devastated. However, through the diligent efforts of the local governing authorities Charar-i-sharief was again reconstructed. Then there was a militant attack on the shrine in the year 1995 due to which a major portion of Charar-i-sharief was broken. This was also repaired in due time.

The historic tales behind Charar-i-sharief narrates an array of interesting anecdotes. The mention of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani who took birth in 1377 is all-pervasive in the saga of the origin of Charar-i-sharief. Called by the name of Sahazanand or Nund Reshi, Noor-ud-Din Noorani propounded the significance of Rishism in the valley of Jammu & Kashmir centuries ago. During his entire life, Noor-ud-Din Noorani spread the message of tolerance, vegetarianism and communal peace among the local people of the valley.

Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara

Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi is one of the most important Sikh Gurudwaras in Kashmir. This historical Gurdwara is included in the tourist place of Srinagar city of Kashmir valley. It is situated just outside the southern gate of Hari Parbat fort.

The sixth guru of Sikhism travelled through Kashmir, stopping to preach occasionally and stayed for few days. Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi - Srinagar, on the bank of Jhelum River and Dal Lake, is located at the site which was visited by Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Hargobind as well. Some sources also list a visit by Guru Har Rai, but the historical Sikh shrine here is named after Guru Hargobind alone the Chhevin Patshahi or Sixth Master, it is located outside Kathi Gate of Hari Parbat Fort at the site of the house of Mai Bhagbhari, who had long been yearning for a glimpse of the Guru when Guru Hargobind fulfilled her wish by his visit and wearing of her now famous gown.

Kheer Bhawani

Kheer Bhawani Temple is a celebrated Hindu shrine, situated in the Tulla Mulla village near Srinagar. The temple is constructed above a sacred spring, which is said to change its colours. Goddess Ragnya Devi - an incarnation of Goddess Durga – is the presiding deity of this temple. The temple attributes its unique name to the famous Indian dessert kheer, which is the main offering to the goddess.

Maharaja Pratap Singh built this temple in 1912, which was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. The shrine has a hexagonal spring and a small marble shrine where the goddess' idol is installed. According to legends, Lord Rama worshipped the goddess during his exile. He expressed his desire of shifting the holy seat to Shadipora, which was fulfilled by Lord Hanuman. The temple was shifted to its present site after the goddess appeared in the dream of a local pundit named Rugnath Gadroo.

On the eighth day of the full moon in May, devotees gather at the Kheer Bhawani Temple and observe fasts. It is believed that Goddess Ragnya changes the spring's colour on this auspicious day. If the colour changes to black, it is considered a bad omen that would result in a disaster in the valley. The temple organises fairs and yagnas during its annual festival and navratras, which attract a large number of devotees. Hawans on Shukla Paksh Ashtami are also common in this temple.

Hazratbal Shrine

Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar is a famous mosque that holds high reverence amongst Muslims. According to local beliefs, it houses Moi-e-Muqqadas – the sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad's beard. Also known by different names like Assar-e-Sharief, Dargah Sharif and Madinat-us-Sani, this mosque is an epitome of love and devotion of Muslims for the Prophet.

The mosque has a deep-rooted history that dates back to the 17th century. The place where the mosque stands today was originally the site of Ishrat Mahal and a garden, which were built in 1623 by Shah Jahan's subedar Sadiq Khan. Upon his arrival in 1634, Shah Jahan ordered to convert the palace into a place for offering prayers. Although this shrine is frequented by locals on Fridays for mass prayers, it experiences an influx of visitors on special occasions, when holy relics are displayed.

Shankaracharya Temple

The Shankaracharya temple is situated at a great height atop a hill in the southeast of Srinagar. This temple is located on the top of the hills, southeast of Srinagar and is commonly known as the Takht-i-Sulaiman. This temple is situated at a height of 1100 feet above the Srinagar city.

The temple is devoted to the worship of lord Shiva. Tours and travel to this pilgrimage involves a trek to the top of the hills in the Srinagar region. It seems before saint Shankaracharya came to this area, Buddhism was rampant in this region. The saint also popularized the worship of lord Shiva in Kashmir.

Pathar Masji

Pathar Masjid, built by Nur Jahan in 1623, is considered as the biggest surviving Mughal structure in Kashmir. Situated across the River Jhelum, it faces the mosque of Shah Hamdan. It is believed that the construction of this mosque took place under the supervision of the renowned Mughal historian and architect, Malik Hyder Chaudhary.

The mosque has nine arches which are built horizontally with a big arched entrance in the middle. In the recent past, all the arches have been closed with the help of a rubble stone masonry. At present this mosque is almost in ruins and attracts several archaeologists and historians with an interest in the Mughal architectural style.

Jama Masjid

Jamia Masjid, built in 1400 AD, is considered as one of the oldest mosques in Srinagar. It is also commonly known as the 'Friday Mosque'. The ancient mosque has been destroyed and restored numerous times over the years. It was last renovated under the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh.

The design of the religious centre is a perfect blend of Muslim designs and Indian materials. This architectural style was developed by British architects and is known as Indo-Saracenic architecture; as a result, the new building of the mosque does not have a topped dome that is typical of the Muslim design.

A major attraction of this mosque is its prayer hall supported by 370 pillars, each made of deodar trunk. The contrast between the tranquillity inside the mosque and the bustle of markets surrounding it is also a feature much appreciated by visitors. The Jamia Masjid is quite a spacious mosque and has an accommodation capacity of 30,000 people at a time.