Located in the picturesque valley of Kashmir, Hazratbal Dargah stands as a symbol of spiritual significance and cultural heritage. This revered shrine holds profound religious importance for Muslims in the region and beyond, drawing pilgrims and visitors from far and wide.

Situated on the banks of the serene Dal Lake in Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, Hazratbal Dargah is renowned for housing a relic believed to be a hair strand of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Hazratbal dargah beholds the story from a pleasure house to a prayer hall.

The tale started when the Hazratbal Shrine was built by Sadiq Khan, the Subhedar of Shah Jahan, in 1623 as a Pleasure House. The monument was known as Ishrat Mahal and featured a garden during that time.

Later, in 1634, when Shah Jahan visited this place, he immediately instructed to transform it into a prayer hall. Hence, the once-pleasure house was turned into a prayer hall.

The holy relic popularly known as “Moi-e-Muqaddas” is said to be the red hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad, and naturally, it was of great value to the Muslim Community.

It was brought by Syed Abdullah Madani, a descendant of Muhammad who settled in the South Indian city of Birajpur when the Mughal Empire was expanding. After Abdullah’s death, his son, Syed Hameed, inherited the relic.

The Mughals conquered the region, and Syed Hameed was stripped of his estates. He found it difficult to protect the relic, so he passed it to Khwaja Nur-ud-Din Eshai, a rich businessman at the time.

In 1699, when Aurangazeb learned about the relic, he seized it and imprisoned Eshai in Delhi. But after nine days, Muhammad appeared in his dream and instructed him to release Eshai and send a relic to Kashmir.

Aurangzeb returned the relic to the daughter of Eshai as Eshai was already dead during imprisonment. Later, the relic was placed in the shrine of Naqashbad Sahib, but the place was crowded by many people who came to visit for “Moi-e-Muqaddas”.

Due to this overcrowding, the relic was later shifted to Hazratbal, which was called Sadiqabad. In 1968, led by Inayat Begum, the daughter of Nur-ud-Din Eshai, the Muslim Auqaf Trust began the construction of the Hazratbal Shrine and rebuilt it.

The construction was completed in 1979 after 11 years, and the relic was placed in this Shrine. The relic is only displayed during special moments like Muhammad's birthday.

The Dargah is a classic example of Persian and Iranian architectural structures. It appears to be a white structure far from the bank of Dal Lake.

• It is the only domed mosque in Srinagar. The major attraction is the presence of sacred relics.
• Apart from Persian and Iranian styles, the Shrine beautifully reflects a blend of Mughal and Kashmiri architecture. It is constructed using white marble.
• The interiors are adorned with Persian calligraphy and motifs, perfectly capturing the visitor’s attention.
• Inside lies a sanctum sanctorum, where devotees offer their prayers. The structure also features a spacious courtyard and a main prayer hall, where thousands of visitors can conveniently pray.
• Women are only allowed to visit the first part of the Hazratbal Shrine; they are strictly prohibited from the latter part.
• The mosque, built in 1623 by Sadiq Khan, was originally the site of the Ishrat Mahal and a garden.

1. Best time to Visit Hazratbal Dargah

As the Dargah is located in Kashmir, the best time to visit is throughout the year, as Kashmir is always beautiful. Yet April to October can be pleasant.

2. Hazratbal Dargah Location

The Hazratbal Dargah is located on the left bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

3. Hazratbal Dargah Timings

• Days: Every Day of the week
• Opening Time: 9:30 am
• Closing Time: 5:30 pm

4. How to Reach Hazratbal Dargah?

Special taxis or cabs are available to take you to Dargah. However, it is advisable to pre-book your transportation service, as the frequency of taxis may vary according to circumstances.

• Nearest Airport to Hazratbal Dargah: The nearest airport to Dargah is Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport, which is 19 km away.
• Nearest Bus Station to Hazratbal Dargah: The main Bus Stand of Srinagar is located 11 km away from the mosque where taxis and cabs are easily accessible.
• Nearest Railway Junction to Hazratbal Dargah: Nowgam Srinagar is the nearest railway junction in Srinagar, which is 21 km away from Dargah.

5. Entry Fee for Hazratbal Dargah

There is no entry fee for devotees or tourists. Visiting the Dargah is free of charge.

6. Hazratbal Dargah Nearby Places to Visit

1. Aru Valley
2. Chashme Shahi
3. Pari Mahal
4. Vishansar Lake
5. Mamleshwar Temple
6. Gadsar Lake

The Dargah is a spectacular monument in Kashmir, but a few things are still unknown to people. Let’s dive into these lesser-known facts.

1. The unique relic known as “Moi-e-Muqaddas" is the holy hair from Prophet Muhammad's beard, housed in this Dargah.
2. The Dargah has undergone several renovations over the centuries, and the current one was renovated in the 20th century.
3. The Dargah is not just a place of worship but also carries religious festivals, social gatherings and charitable activities.
4. Hazratbal Shrine was also featured in the 2010 Bollywood movie Lamha, which featured Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu.
5. The Shrine is also known by various names, such as Assar-e-Sharief, Dargah Sharif, and Madinat-us-Sani.

The Hazratbal Dargah has served as a spiritual significance over the years. The serene beauty of Kashmir is enhanced by the presence of this spectacular monument, which is of religious significance. The relic in Hazratbal serves as the major reason for many people to visit the Dargah at least once in their lifetime.