Standing on the banks of the Jhelum River with its green and golden wooden façade, Khanqah-e-Moula is one of the most picturesque and sacred shrines in Srinagar. Devotees climb a flight of steps from the riverside or approach through narrow bazaar lanes to reach the richly painted halls inside. The walls and ceilings are decorated with intricate Kashmiri papier-mâché and floral motifs, and the soft lighting, hanging lamps and continuous zikr give the shrine a deeply devotional atmosphere. From the balconies you can see old wooden houses and boats on the Jhelum, making this one of the best places to experience traditional riverfront Srinagar.
About this place
History & highlights
The shrine is dedicated to the 14th-century Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (Shah-e-Hamadan), whose mission in Kashmir greatly shaped the valley’s Islamic culture and craft traditions. The present structure sits on an older sacred site and has been rebuilt and repaired multiple times after fires and floods. Over time it became both a centre of Sufi teaching (khanqah) and a major pilgrimage spot for Kashmiri Muslims. Artisans inspired by Shah-e-Hamadan are traditionally credited with developing local crafts like pashmina weaving, wood carving and papier-mâché, so the shrine also symbolises the link between spirituality and the famous arts of Kashmir.
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