Hazratbal Shrine

Hazratbal Shrine is believed to house the Moi-e-Muqqadas — a strand of hair said to belong to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The relic was brought to Kashmir from Bijapur by Sayyid Abdullah in 1700 CE and has been venerated at the shrine ever since. The relic is displayed publicly on important Islamic occasions, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across Kashmir and beyond. The word "Hazratbal" itself combines "Hazrat" (an honorific title) and "bal," meaning "place" in Kashmiri — together meaning "the noble place."

Yes. The Hazratbal Shrine generally welcomes respectful visitors of all faiths to its outer grounds and the Dargah area. However, during Friday prayers and major Islamic religious occasions (Eid, Shab-e-Barat, the Prophet's birthday), entry may be restricted to Muslim worshippers only due to the extremely large crowds that gather. If you are visiting as a non-Muslim, go on a regular weekday morning, dress modestly (head covering and shoes off required), and follow all protocol observed by other visitors.

On particularly significant Islamic religious occasions — such as the 27th night of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, and the birthday of the Prophet — the relic (Moi-e-Muqqadas) is publicly displayed to the faithful. During these occasions, Srinagar essentially shuts down as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make their way to the shrine for a glimpse (darshan) of the sacred hair. The atmosphere during relic display days is deeply spiritual and emotionally charged. Access for general tourists is very limited on these days.

The Hazratbal Shrine is a striking white marble building with a single large dome and a slender minaret, set directly on the northwestern shore of Dal Lake. The current building dates largely from the 1960s and 1970s — the earlier Mughal-era structure was a much simpler affair. The white marble facade is highly photogenic, particularly when reflected in the still waters of Dal Lake at dawn or dusk. The complex also includes a mosque, an ablution facility, and a garden. The marble used in the construction was sourced from Rajasthan.

Photography of the exterior of the shrine from the lakefront or road is fine and produces some of the most memorable images in Kashmir — especially at dawn when the white dome reflects in the calm lake. Photography inside the main prayer hall and the inner sanctum where the relic is kept is strictly prohibited. During congregational prayers, photography of the worshippers should be done sensitively and only if you have implicit consent. Video recording inside the shrine premises is discouraged.

Hazratbal Shrine is located 8 km from the Tourist Reception Centre on the northern shore of Dal Lake. Auto-rickshaws and taxis from Srinagar city centre take 20–30 minutes. A Shikara ride from the main Boulevard ghats takes approximately 45–60 minutes along the western edge of Dal Lake — a particularly beautiful approach that gives you excellent views of the white dome as you approach from the water. The road approach passes through the Naseem Bagh area with its centuries-old chinar trees.

Fridays at noon are the busiest regular visiting times due to the congregational Juma prayer. Islamic religious occasions — especially Eid, Shab-e-Barat (the night of forgiveness), and the 27th night of Ramadan — bring enormous crowds of pilgrims from across Kashmir. Outside of these occasions, the shrine is relatively peaceful on weekday mornings. The best time for a quiet, contemplative visit is between 8:00 and 10:00 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Hazratbal Shrine is ideally combined with nearby Naseem Bagh (Garden of Breeze), which contains some of the oldest and largest chinar trees in Kashmir — planted during Akbar's reign in the late 16th century. The University of Kashmir campus, with its pleasant gardens, is adjacent to Naseem Bagh. A Shikara ride from Hazratbal can easily continue to the floating vegetable market, Nishat Bagh, or the Shalimar Bagh gardens. Charare-i-Sharief, a notable Sufi shrine 30 km from Srinagar, is another significant Islamic site worth visiting in the same region.