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Jammu and Kashmir is famously known as “heaven on earth.” It is known for its attractive glory, snow-covered mountains, abundant flora and fauna, elegant memorials, friendly people, famous mosques, and local craftwork.
As Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim-dominated region, it has many famous mosques. The Mughals organised and constructed mosques, many of which are architectural wonders. Every town has a mosque representing the Kashmiriyat of the golden days. The most famous ones are Hazratbal Mosque, Jamia Masjid, Hamdan Mosque, Aali Masjid, and Charar-e-Sharif mosque. There’s also Akhand Mullah Masjid, a mosque within a mosque.
Hazratbal Shrine
Hazratbal Shrine is a holy place for Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir. Also known as Hazratbal Dargah, the shrine is located on Dal Lake’s northern side. Hazrat is an Arabic word that means sacred or magnificent; Bal is a Kashmiri word meaning place.
The Hazratbal shrine is blessed with numerous names and is commonly known as Hazratbal Dargah Sharif. The Hazratbal shrine is made of white marble and creates a beautiful reflection in the lake. Muslims believe it contains a strand of the beard of Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad’s beard strand is put on display during many religious celebrations.
The Hazratbal Mosque is the sole mosque with a dome in all of Srinagar and sees many visitors, especially on Fridays. The Hazratbal shrine was built by Inayat Begum who was an administrator of ancient objects and Prophet Mohammad’s beard strand. This place is the epitome of love and devotion toward the Prophet.
Jamia Masjid
Jamia Masjid was built in 1400 AD during the era of Sultan Sikandar in Kashmir. It is located in the old city of Nowhatta, Srinagar. This mosque is famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful environment. Jamia Masjid is made in the Indo-Saracenic style and has 370 wooden pillars and a magnificent courtyard. It is considered one of the most sacred mosques in India. People from within and outside India visit this mosque to offer prayers and recite the Holy Quran, hoping that their sins will be forgiven.
Jamia Masjid is located in the central part of Srinagar. The mosque also exhibits certain similarities to the traditional Buddhist temples. In addition to its rich historical importance, Jamia Masjid is even famous as Kashmir’s largest mosque.
Akhund Mullah Mosque
In Srinagar, Masjid of Akhund Mullah is located below the shrine of Makhdoom Sahib. This holy place is sometimes considered a mosque within another mosque as it is present in a large yard surrounding the main building. Grey limestone was used to build the Akhund Mullah Mosque, which gives it a beautiful gleaming appearance. A stone lotus with writing adorns the podium of this Islamic shrine. The writing dates back to 1649, which was the epoch of the Mughal Sultanate in the valley. The special prayer auditorium is one of the spotlights of this mosque.
Hamdan Mosque
The Hamdan mosque, also known as Khanqah-e-Moula, is situated across the river Jhelum just below the third bridge. The Hamdan mosque was initially built in 1395 A.D to celebrate the visit of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani. The mosque was destroyed in a fire in 1479 and was rebuilt by Abdul Barkat Khan in 1732 A.D., and since then, stands as a mark in the city. The Hamdan mosque is renowned for its beautiful wood carvings by skilled Kashmiri carvers. The walls of the mosque are entirely covered with wooden panels of dimensional design and the ceiling of the Hamdan mosque is supported in the centre by four wooden columns decorated with wooden pieces in a fish-bone pattern.
Conclusion
A mosque is a holy place for the Muslim community where they offer prayers or namaz. Jammu and Kashmir, with their archaeological heritage, have several beautiful and significant mosques. The state is famous for its concept of Kashmiriyat and for respecting and upholding signs and symbols of several beliefs. In Jammu and Kashmir, the majority of people are Muslims, and hence, the concept of a mosque is very obvious in every town where there is a masjid (mosque).
Some of the most famous mosques located in Jammu and Kashmir are Hazratbal Mosque (Hazratbal Dargah Sharif), Jamia Masjid and Hamdan Mosque (Khanqah-e-Moula), Akhund Mullah Mosque (Mala Shah Masjid), Aali Masjid, Dastgir Sahib Shrine, etc.
