SHRINES
Kheer Bhawani
Kheer Bhawani, Ksheer Bhawani or the Ragnya Devi temple is a Hindu temple situated at a distance of 25 kilometres north-east of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, in the village of Tulmul in Ganderbal. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kheer Bhavani constructed over a sacred spring. As is the custom with Hindu deities, the goddess has many names including Ragnya or Rajna, along with variations in honorifics such as Devi, Mata or Bhagavati.
The term kheer refers to a milk and rice pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as ‘Milk Goddess’. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir, most of them who worship her as their protective patron deity Kuladevi.
Sharda Peeth
Sharda Peeth is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning situated close to the Line of Control at a distance of 30 Km from Kupwara in J&K. Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, it was among the most prominent temple universities in the Indian subcontinent. Known in particular for its library, stories recount scholars travelling long distances to access its texts. It played a key role in the development and popularisation of the Sharda script in North India, causing the script to be named after it, and Kashmir to acquire the moniker “Sharda Desh”, meaning “country of Sharda”.
Pir Chinasi
Pir Chinasi (also spelled as Peer Chinasi) is a shrine and a tourist destination located about 30 kilometers (19 mi) east of Muzaffarabad, the capital city of PoK administered by Pakistan. It is located on the top of hills at the height of 2,900 metres (9,500 ft). The mountain peak has gained large fame for its ziyarat of a famous saint, Sayed Hussain Shah Bukhari.
Hazratbal Shrine
The Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar is the holiest Islamic pilgrimage in Srinagar and Kashmir. This mosque is of great historical significance to Islam as it is said to house a single hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad.
This mosque is located close to Dal lake, and you can experience a fantastic view of the Himalayas from this spot. The Hazratbal Shrine is a must-visit tourist destination in Srinagar and is located just 53 km from the city centre of Srinagar.
Shankaracharya Temple
Situated on the top of the Shankaracharya Hill on the Zabarwan Mountain in Kashmir, this temple is also known as the Temple of Jyeshteshwara. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and built at a height of 1000 feet above the land. This is one of the oldest shrines in the Kashmir valley. You can notice the unique architectural design in the temple that offers a marvelous view.
Raghunath Temple
Raghunath Temple is basically located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is worldwide famous. Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple was constructed by Maharaja Gulab Singh and later on completed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The interior of this temple is well-crafted by gold plated spires, art, and paintings related to the God Rama and Krishna. The entrance door has Surya icon and it consists of a library also. This temple consists of seven Hindu shrines along with seven marvelous shikharas.
Sharika Devi Temple
Sharika Devi Temple is situated on Hari Parbat in Srinagar and it is dedicated to Goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati. The holy idol of Goddess is having 18 arms who is sitting on Shri Chakra. This temple is regarded as one of the sacred sites for Kashmiri Pandits and also holds utmost importance by Hindu followers. The temple is visited by devotees in large number on the birthday of Goddess Sharika Bhagwati.
Jamia Masjid
Jamia Masjid is one of the sacred and the biggest mosques in Srinagar. The Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and majestic courtyard with 370 wooden pillars make this place highly attractive. The mosque is thronged by Muslims every Friday and also, it is one of the most visited places by tourists. Jama Masjid has a big area which can accommodate about one lakh people at a time. The peaceful atmosphere of Jama Masjid makes it more popular among muslims people.
The Lord Surya or Martand Temple
The Martand Sun Temple was built during the 8th century and it is a Kashmiri Hindu temple devoted to Lord Surya. It was built by Lalidaditya Muktapida who was the third ruler of the Karkota Dynasty. The whole shrine was rested on 84 columns which offered an amazing view of Kashmir Valley. However, the temple was destroyed on the orders of Muslim ruler in 15th century. The Kashmiri architecture crafted in this temple was highly appreciated.
Amarnath Cave
Amarnath is one of the renowned sacred places in India for the devotees of Lord Shiva. It is located at a distance of 141 kms from Srinagar at an elevation of around 3,888 meters. You can reach there through Pahalgam town. The temple holds utmost significance for the Lord Shiva’s devotees. The Amarnath cave remains surrounded by snowy mountains all through the year and pilgrims have the access to this spiritual place only in the summer season. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit this pilgrimage annually.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Katra within the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that the Goddess Vaishno fulfills their children’s wish and that’s why millions of devotees come to this holy place. The Darshan is open round the clock and throughout the year. Here, the devotees stand in the long queue just to have small glimpse of Mata Rani. The atmosphere of this auspicious place is usually filled with Mata ka jaikara and songs of Maa Vaishnavi. Every year, millions of people visit this place and walk about 13 km uphill to reach the cave of goddess.
Charar-E-Sharief
Situated 28 kilometers away from Srinagar, Charar-e Sharief is one of the most popular Muslim sacred places in Kashmir. It is also recognized as the “Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali”. This shrine is much admired by Muslims as they thank here Sufi Saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani for the good deeds done for them. The shrine is approximately 600 years old and considered as greatest sacrosanct shrines of Muslims in India.
Ziarat Dastgir Sahib
Located in the heart of Srinagar, Ziarat Dastgir Sahib is approximate 200-year-old shrine which was constructed in the year of 1806. However, it was later on expanded by Khwaja Sanaullah Shawl in 1877 to make the shrine more interesting and impressive. This pilgrim is thronged by the people on the birth date of the Adbdul Qadir Gilani to watch the ziyarat and to pray for a good life.
Baba Shadi Shaheed
Shiekh Baba Shadi Shaheed, or Raja Shadab Khan (formerly known as Dharam Chand Chib) was a Sufi saint. He was the first Chib Rajput who married a Mughal Princess during the reign of Babur. He was a famed wise man who was requested to treat the ailing emperor, Babur, in Delhi. As a reward, Babur gave his daughter in marriage to him. He also married Humayun’s niece who is the daughter of Pir Haibat, of Kandahar, which ultimately leads to his death during Akbar’s reign. Raja Shadab Khan, was a contemporary and feudatory of the Emperors Babur, Humayun and Akbar; and he ruled over the districts of Bhimber, Mirpur and Nowshera, within the present limits of Jammu and Kashmir.
In consideration of his services rendered to the Emperor Akbar in Kandahar, he was made Governor of Kashmir with the title of Shadab Khan. He also served as governor of Kandahar during Akbar’s reign. His tribe, the Chib Rajputs of Kashmir and Punjab, come to his shrine in Jandi Chontra in Bhimber to pay their respects and ritualistically celebrate the births of their children. In the last few decades, the popularity of the shrine has grown among non-tribe members due to the belief that visiting the shrine will help childless couples to bear children.
Darbar Mai Tooti Sahiba
It is about the history and biography of darbar mai tooti sahiba. She was a spritual personality. His “murshad” was “sain kamla” which guide her whole life. She made “mujahida” at the place of “dad dawi” located at ghora.
Khari Sharif
Khari Sharif (كهڑي شريف) is an agricultural area between Mirpur and Jhelum of PoK. Broadly speaking, Alaqa-e-Khari (translation in English: Area of Khari) refers to the fertile plains of Khari which exist between the mountains of Mirpur and the river Jhelum.
Khari has some 80 small and large villages and one of the villages itself is known as Khari Sharif. It is located at a distance of 8 km from the city of Mirpur, PoK and is known for housing the shrines of Sufi saints known as Pir Shah Ghazi Qalandar Damri Wali Sarkar and Mian Muhammad Bakhsh.