Situated on the western banks of
Dal Lake, Hazratbal Mosque is in
Hazratbal village of
Srinagar District,
Jammu and Kashmir. It is about 7 km away from
Srinagar. The shrine is also known by the names Hazratbal, Assar-e-Sharif, Madinat-Us-Sani and Dargah Sharief.
This white marble mosque is the most important Muslim shrine of Jammu and Kashmir. With Nishat Bagh in the opposite side, the mosque commands a grand view of the lake and the mountains beyond. The specialty of the mosque is that it is the only domed mosque in Srinagar. The reflection of the mosque from the lake with its background as the mountains is an enchanting view for the visitors.
The mosque has historical importance from the 17th century. Built formerly as a Pleasure House in 1623, the building was later converted into a prayer house in 1634. The shrine was shifted to Hazratbal during the time of Aurangzeb. It was reconstructed with the marble structure by the Muslim Auqaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1968 and completed in 1979. The mosque is a blend of Mughal and Kashmiri architectural styles. It features Ottoman style dome on the top and a three-tiered roof topping walls, and porticos of brick masonry on a base of dressed stone.
The uniqueness of the Hazratbal Mosque is that it houses Moi-e-Muqaddas (the sacred hair) of the prophet Muhammad. It is displayed to the public on fairs and special occasions. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside the room. There are Friday prayers offered apart from the normal occasions at Hazratbal.
The nearest airport is Srinagar Airport. The convenient railhead is Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is about 300 km away. Regular transport by bus and taxi are available from various points in Srinagar. Ferry services are also available through the Dal Lake.
