Introduction

On the left bank of the Dal Lake and opposite the Nishat Bagh is the Hazaratbal shrine which is considered as the holiest of Muslim shrines in Kashmir. The word ‘Hazaratbal’ translates as the ‘place of majesty and holiness.’ It is here that a relic of the prophet Mohammed, a hair - Moi-e-Muqqadas – is enshrined. The Hazaratbal stands out in the area and its white dome and minarets can be seen from a considerable distance. The shrine is also referred to as the Assar-e-Sharief, the Madinat-us-Sani and very commonly as the Dargah Sharif.

The story of how this relic reached Srinagar is quite a fascinating one and there are certain variations to it. The broad legend has it that in the seventeenth century, a descendent of the prophet Mohammed, Syed Abdullah and holder of the relic, left his home town of Medina in the middle-east. He settled in Bijapur, near Hyderabad in south India. After his death, the relic passed on to his son, Syed Hamid. In these years Bijapur was taken over by the imperial Mughals and the Syed, who suddenly found himself hard-up, parted with the relic to a wealthy businessman from Kashmir, Khwaja Nur-ud-Din Ishbari. It is said that when the Emperor Aurangzeb heard of this he flew into a temper and had Nur-ud-Din Ishbari imprisoned. The relic was sent to the shrine of Khwaja Moin ud-din Chisti in Ajmer. Later, Aurangzeb relented and ordered the release of Khwaja Nur-ud-Din Ishbari, who in the meanwhile had died in prison.

The Khwaja’s body and the relic were then sent to Kashmir where they were received by the Khwaja’s daughter, Inayat Begum. She was married in the Banday family of Kashmir. At her behest, a shrine was built around the relic and the Banday family became its holders – and the custodian member of the family has since has been known as the Nishaandeh, or ‘giver or holder of the sign.’

Special Attributes

Considered as the most sacred Muslim shrines in Kashmir

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress is whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

Taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws and walking

Enjoyed by

Religious interest

Exposure

Mild exposure to sun when outdoors. It is pleasant for the better part of the year.

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No shoes, weapons of any description, cameras and cell phones

Tip

The relic is displayed at certain times of year. Women can only enter certain sections.

Type of site

Mosque