Pilgrimage tourism is where people travel in groups or individually to visit religious places for pilgrimage, missionary, or leisure purposes. Since the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has a rich cultural diversity, travel with us and rejuvenate yourself spiritually by travelling to various religious places, be it shrines, mosques, temples, churches, gurudwaras, or monasteries.

HAZRATBAL SHRINE
The Hazratbal Shrine, is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. This unmatched reverence is anchored in the love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whose Moi-e-Muqqadas, the sacred hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is preserved here.
The Hazratbal mosque is situated in Srinagar only 8 Kms from Lal Chowk and 7 Kms from Tourist Reception Center, on the western banks of the picturesque Dal Lake. Facing the beautiful Nishat Bagh, the mosque offers a spectacular view of the lake and the mountain afar. This revered shrine houses the Moi-e-Muqqadus (preserved sacred hair) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Public display of the Moi-e-Muqqadas takes place only on religious occasions.
Some of the other names of the Hazratbal mosque are Assar-e-Sharief, Madinat-us-Sani and Dargah Sharif. One of the most revered Muslim shrines, Hazratbal is an epitome of the love and respect of Muslims for the Prophet.

 

Jamia Masjid Srinagar: 
The spectacular mosque in heart of Srinagar was built in 1400 A.D. during the reign of Sultan Sikandar in Kashmir. This is located at the heart of old city Nowhatta, Srinagar. This spectacular mosque is famous for its beautiful construction. This mosque is considered as one of Srinagar’s tourist attractions. Visitors to this place have experienced peace and tranquillity. This Indo-Saracen architecture is designed with 370 wooden pillars and a splendid courtyard. This unique feature has attracted many visitors/tourists over the ages. Although Jamia Masjid is situated amidst busy markets, the architecture of this place leaves one surprised. Jamia Masjid is considered as one of sacred mosques of India.
Zain-ul-Abidin, the son of Sultan Sikandar later felt the need to extend this mosque to more people and he made way for a whooping number of 33,333 Muslim members to offer prayers. This mosque has existed since 1400 A.D. and it remains as glorified as till today.

Makhdoom sahib :

Makhdoom Sahib is a distinguished Islamic shrine, which lies below the Mughal Fort, towards the south of Hari Parbat. It is amongst the most famous shrines of the valley of Kashmir. The mosque is named after the revered Sufi saint Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom, who was known by different names like Makhdoom Sahib, Hazrat Sultan, Sultan-ul-Arifeen and Mehboob-ul-Alam.

Built in typical Mughal architectural style, this two-storey edifice looks impressive in appearance. Several pillars support the structure of this mosque and add to its architectural splendour. Devotees frequent this celebrated shrine throughout the year.

Amarnath yatra:

One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. The most ancient and sacred book of India, the Rig Veda evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, ritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time.

Shiva is known to have made his home in the Himalayas. He built no house nor shelter, not for himself or his bride. He was an ascetic, and yet married; he could be both for “he was the wild god sporting in the forest or taking his ease on a cloud.”

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

The trek to Amarnathji, in the month of Shravan (July – August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed naturally of an ice – stalagmite, and which waxes and wanes with the moon. By its side are, fascinatingly, two more ice – lingams, that of Parvati and of their son, Ganesha.

Mata Vaishnodevi:

The Vaishnodevi temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers in India. Located inside a cave, the temple is dedicated to goddess Vaishnodevi. An estimated 8 million pilgrims visit the temple every year making it the second most visited religious place to be visited in India

The sanctum is situated at a height of 5300 feet above sea level on the hills of Trikuta mountain range and is 48 km away from Jammu city.

The idol of the main deity is found in the form of natural Pindies (stone structure), representing Goddess Saraswathi, Kali and Lakshmi. These three structures symbolize the creative, preservative and destructive characters of the Mother. While one takes a journey up the hill to the temple, one can enjoy natural beauty at its best.