Hazratbal is the shrine on the northern bank of Dal Lake that holds the Moi-e-Muqaddas, a relic believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Locals call it the Dargah Sharief. It is the most revered site in the valley and the only domed mosque in Srinagar, faced entirely in white marble.
Duke Kashmir Travels is a Srinagar travel agency, registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011. Hazratbal is part of our Srinagar sightseeing day; Kashmir packages start near ₹6,350 per person, two sharing a room.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Stands on the northern bank of Dal Lake, facing the water.
- Built between 1968 and 1979 under the Muslim Auqaf authority, in white marble.
- The relic is shown on special occasions by custodians known as Nishandehs.
- Fridays and religious festivals draw very large crowds.
- Separate prayer areas for men and women; dress modestly and remove shoes.
- Shikaras run from the bank here across to Char Chinar.
What makes Hazratbal important?
It holds the Moi-e-Muqaddas, believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, which makes it the most venerated shrine in Kashmir.
The relic is not on permanent display. Custodians called Nishandehs bring it out on particular religious occasions, and those days fill the whole ground in front of the shrine. Ordinary days are calm, and visitors of any faith are welcome in the outer areas.
What does the building look like?
A single white marble shrine with a dome and a minaret, the only domed mosque in Srinagar, with the lake immediately behind it.
The present structure went up between 1968 and 1979. Inside, the floors are carpeted and the halls are heated in winter. The view from the forecourt across Dal towards the Zabarwan ridge is one of the better ones in the city.
What should visitors know before going?
Dress modestly, cover the head where asked, remove your shoes at the entrance, and expect separate sections for men and women.
Friday afternoons and festival days are extremely busy; a weekday morning is the easier visit. Photography is fine outside but be careful with it during prayers. The market by the gate sells copperware, clothing and street food.
How do you reach Hazratbal?
It is on the northern lake road about 9 km from Lal Chowk, roughly 25 minutes from the Boulevard hotels.
A shikara from the shrine bank can take you across to Char Chinar, which makes a good half-day when combined with the gardens on the eastern shore.
What is nearby?
Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh lie along the same northern and eastern arc of the lake.
Nigeen Lake is a short drive west and quieter than Dal. The full Srinagar list has the rest, and Kashmir tour ideas shows the standard sightseeing days.
Booking this with us
Behind the itineraries: Duke Kashmir Travels, a Srinagar agency carrying tourism registration JKTA00003978 from March 2011, IATO membership ALD150928 and a seat in the JK Tourism Council. Details on About Us.
Give us the dates and the number of travellers; the itinerary and the quote come back the same day. +91 9018 44 0000, info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or the contact page.
About the founder
Duke Kashmir Travels is owned and run by its founder, Rayies Ahmad Zargar, who set it up in Srinagar in 2011 and checks these destination pages himself. LinkedIn.