On the north-western shore of Dal Lake, the white marble Hazratbal Shrine is the most sacred Muslim shrine in Kashmir. It houses the Moi-e-Muqaddas, a relic believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad, brought to Kashmir in the 17th century. The present domed building, with its single minaret, was completed in the late 1960s and is the only domed mosque of note in a city of wooden, pagoda-roofed shrines.
The setting is lovely: a broad lawn and ghat at the water’s edge, pigeons wheeling round the dome and the Zabarwan hills beyond. On major religious occasions the relic is displayed to the faithful and enormous crowds gather; on an ordinary weekday it is peaceful.
Top things to do at Hazratbal Shrine
Visit the shrine respectfully
Remove your shoes, dress modestly and cover your head. Women are usually not permitted beyond a certain point in the main hall. Visitors of other faiths are generally welcome in the precincts outside prayer times.
Arrive by shikara
A long shikara ride from the Boulevard ghats to Hazratbal crosses the heart of the lake, past Char Chinar and the floating gardens — one of the best lake journeys in Srinagar.
Walk the lakeside and the market
The lawns and ghat in front of the shrine are a lovely place to sit, and the lanes behind are full of stalls selling prayer beads, dry fruit and snacks. The University of Kashmir campus is nearby.
How to get to Hazratbal Shrine
- By road: about 9–10 km from Dalgate, 25–35 minutes by taxi along the Foreshore Road.
- By shikara: a half-day shikara loop from the Boulevard can include Hazratbal.
- With other sights: easily combined with Nigeen Lake and Shalimar Bagh on the same side of the lake.
Insider tips
- Fridays and religious festivals draw very large crowds; visit on a weekday morning for calm.
- Photography inside the prayer hall is not appropriate; ask before photographing people.
- Carry a scarf and socks (the marble can be cold in winter).
- Be patient with security checks at the entrance.
Tours that include Hazratbal Shrine
These guided trips cover Hazratbal Shrine or combine easily with a visit:
Private city tour from €39 Srinagar: Old City and Mughal Gardens Guided Tour
The best single day in Srinagar. A local guide walks you through the old city — its bazaars, wooden mosques and Hari Parbat fort — then drives you round the Mughal gardens above Dal Lake before a shikara-style boat cruise on the lake itself.
- Old-city heritage walk: bazaars, historic mosques and the fort
- Shalimar, Nishat and the other Mughal gardens by AC car
- Boat ride on Dal Lake to finish the day
Private city tour from €41 All-Inclusive Srinagar Full & Half-Day Tour with Pickup
A flexible private tour with pickup: choose half a day or a full day to see the Shankaracharya Temple, stroll the Mughal gardens and browse Srinagar’s craft markets with a local driver-guide.
- Hotel or houseboat pickup
- Shankaracharya Temple and the Mughal gardens
- Time to shop for local crafts in the market
