|
|
Hazratbal
Mosque
Across the Dal from Shalimar is the mosque of Hazratbal, the only one of
its kind architecturally in Kashmir. Made of white marble with a dome and
a minaret, Hazratbal is the repository of a single hair of the Prophet
Mohammed, exhibited to the public on certain days of the year.
Shah Hamdan Mosque
Shah Hamdan Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Srinagar. The wooden
mosque stands right beside the Jhelum and is noted for the Papier Mache
work on its walls and ceilings. No nails or screws were used in the
construction of this all-wooden mosque. Originally built in 1395 it has
been destroyed by fire in 1479 and again in 1731.
Pather Masjid
Almost directly opposite the Shah Hamdan mosque, on the other bank of the
Jhelum, the Pather Masjid is a fine stone mosque built by Nur Jahan in
1623. It is not, however, in everyday use today and is consequently rather
run down. Reach it by crossing Zaina Kadal, the fourth bridge.
Tomb Of Zain-Ul-Abidin
One of the east banks of the Jhelum River, between the Zaina Kadal and
the Ali Kadal, is the slightly decrepit tomb of King Zain-ul-Abidin, the
highly regarded son of sultan Sikander, who built the Jami Masjid.
Jami
Masjid
Srinagar's most important mosque is an impressive wooden structure,
notable for the more than 300 soaring pillars supporting the roof; each
made of a single deodar tree trunk. The main gate is to the south and the
outer cloisters surround a spacious, green and peaceful inner courtyard.
The roughly square building is 117 metres on each side, topped by four
Minars in the centre of each side, topped by four Minars in the centre of
each side and three pagoda shaped minarets from which the faithful are
called to prayer.
Shankracharya
Hill
Within
Srinagar, on its highest hill is the Shankaracharya temple, nearly one
thousand feet above the city. It is devoted to Lord Shiva. The site dates
back to 2,500 BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya stayed at this site when
he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive "Sanatan Dharma".
Before this date, the temple was known as "Gopadri", as an
earlier edifice on the same site was built by King Gopaditya in the 6th
century. In fact the road below the hill, with residences of High Ranking
state government officials, is still known as Gupkar Road.
Pandrethan Temple
A small, beautifully proportioned Shiva temple built around 900 AD, the
Pandrethan temple is in the military cantonment area on the Jammu road out
of Srinagar.
Shadaharwan
5-km beyond the Shalimar gardens, this place is said to have been the
site of a monastery in which the fourth international council of Buddhism
was held in the year 300 AD. At this time Kashmir was part of the Kushan
Empire under the rule of the Buddhist emperor Kanishka. The monastery is
said to have contained a Stupa, some chapels and other buildings.
Excavations in the area recently have brought to light some illustrated
tiles on the hillside south of the village of Harwan. One can see examples
of the tiles, with their central Asian influence in the peoples dress and
ornaments, in the museum in Srinagar.
Nearby is the Harwan Lake, at the foot of the 4,267metre Mahadev peak, a
popular climb for hikers during the summer. The lake is actually the
reservoir, which provides the water supply for Srinagar and it is supplied
by the run off from Marsar Lake. There is also a garden and trout hatchery
at the site.