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The
Mosques of Kashmir
Jamia
Masjid -
the cathedral Mosque, is one of the largest and most
beautiful mosques of the city. This beautiful edifice was
gutted by the three times but has risen like a phoenix from
the ashes each times more beautiful than before.
Pather
Masjid -
standing on the left bank of the river Jhelum just below the
Shah Hamdan Mosque, was built entirely of limestone by the
Empress Noor Jehan in 1620
Shah
- I - Hamdan Mosque
- popularly known as Amir-I-Kabir and loved by all, Sultan
Qutab-id-Din commenced the mosque in 1835 not a single nail
or screw has been used in its construction. It was destroyed
by fire in 1475 and 1731, and rebuilt by Abdul Bharat Khan
in 1732
Hazratbal
Mosque -
On the shores of the Naseem lake, this mosque houses one of
the holiest of Muslim Relics a hair of the Prophet Mohammed
( PBH ). It was brought to Kashmir by Khwaja Noor Ud Din from
Bijapur in 1700 AD.
Shankaracharya
Temple
- The climb to the historic temple a top this hill is rewarded
by a panoramic view of Srinagar's busy thoroughfares and blue
lakes. The temple is one of the earliest built and is said
to be on the site of TAKHT-I-SULEIMAN, throne of Solomon.
Khir
Bhavani Temple
- A marble temple with a gold plated dome stands here in the
midst of a pool formed by spring waters which change color
form time to time.
Hari
Parbhat
- Crowned by a ruins of a fort, this hill according to legend grew out
of pebble dropped by Parvati to crush a demon through turned
into rubble, the thick massive walls of the fort are still
an imposing evidence of the immense amount of money, the Moghul
Emperor Akbar has spent on the contraction. Over the ages,
the sides of the hill have provided sites for many Hindu Temples.
The
Old Nine Bridges - the best
and most enchanting way to see Srinagar and all its vicissitudes
is by the river boat or the romantic Shikara. From the first
bridge where lived and prayed Maharaja Partab Singh, the
nest step is Haba Kadal, busiest
part of the city, followed by Fateh Kadal the third bridge,
with its market for curios and special articles to delight
the heart. On the right of the third bridge is the Shah-I-Hamdan
mosque and a spring devoted to the goddess Kali. The fourth
bridge is called Zaina Kadal, near which is a temple. The
fifth bridge has on its banks the mosque of Bul Bul Shah,
the beloved poet of Kashmir and the fifth Muslim Faqir to
visit the Valley. Just below the Sixth Bridge is the Kata
Canal through which we reach Safa Kadal, the seventh Bridge,
where is an old Yarkand Sarai, where the traders used to stay
in the ancient past..
Dachigam
National Park
- is situated 21 kms from Srinagar and harbours the last viable
population of the threatened species - the hangul the wild life
of the area includes about 20 species of mammals and over 150
species of birds.
Kashmir
is a land flourishing with superb meadows and lakes which
make exciting picnic sites.
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