Pilgrimage Tours
Photo: Deepank Ranka · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped
Hazratbal is a Muslim shrine and mosque standing on the shore of Dal Lake in Srinagar, and is regarded as one of the holiest Islamic sites in Kashmir. It houses the Moi-e-Muqaddas, a relic that tradition holds to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad, kept in a sealed phial and shown to the gathered public only on a handful of Islamic occasions each year. The earliest structure on the site dates to the 17th century, in the reign of Shah Jahan; the present white-marble building with its single dome and minaret was begun in 1968 and completed in 1979, and is looked after by the Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Waqf Board. Its most recognisable feature is that white marble dome mirrored in the still water of the lake, with the Zabarwan hills behind it.
April to May and September to October are the easiest months to travel — mild Kashmir weather, clear lake views and comfortable walking for elders; December to February is beautiful but bitterly cold and snow can disrupt road travel. The largest gatherings are on Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (the Prophet's birthday) and on Shab-e-Meraj, when the relic is displayed; crowds on these days are very heavy and the approach roads around Hazratbal get congested, so families travelling with older members may prefer an ordinary day. Relic-display dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar and shift each year — confirm with the shrine before you travel.
Srinagar International Airport (SXR) is the nearest airport, roughly 23 km away, about an hour by road depending on city traffic. The nearest railhead is Nowgam, about 21 km from the shrine, on the Kashmir valley line; long-distance passengers usually come via Banihal or Jammu Tawi and continue by road. By road the shrine is about 10 km from Lal Chowk in central Srinagar, reached by taxi or auto in roughly 25-40 minutes; shikara and boat approaches across Dal Lake are also common.
This is a working mosque, not a monument. Modest dress is expected of everyone, women are asked to cover their heads, and footwear is removed before entering the prayer hall. Women are directed to a designated section rather than the main hall. Visitors of other faiths are generally welcome on the premises, but access can be restricted during prayer times and on relic-display days, when security around the shrine is tight. Confirm access and any photography restrictions on the day of your visit.
Planned around you, not a fixed departure. Holiday Vibez arranges pilgrimages to Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar for families, elders and temple groups travelling from Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi and Madurai. Tell us your dates and how many are coming — we build the route around that. 100% customisable.
- Stays near the shrine — so elders aren't driven back and forth at 4am.
- Private transfers — pick-up from your door, not a meeting point.
- Meals that suit the group — including pure-veg and fasting requirements.
- Group travel — 4 people or 40, one coordinator, one itinerary.
- Someone on the phone — when you're in a queue three states from home.
Temple boards run their own darshan queues and quotas. No travel agent can sell you a special one, and agencies that promise "VIP darshan" are either misleading you or breaking the trust's rules. We help you book the official slots and we get everything else right.
Most of the people we send on yatra are over 55, or booking for parents who are. We plan shorter driving days, stays within walking distance where the shrine allows it, and we'll tell you honestly if a site involves a long climb or a trek before you pay — not after.
Can non-Muslims visit Hazratbal Shrine?
Yes, visitors of all faiths are generally welcome to enter the premises and see the shrine, provided they dress modestly and respect prayer times. Access to some areas may be limited during namaz and on days when the relic is displayed, so it is best to check locally before setting out.
Will I be able to see the Moi-e-Muqaddas relic?
Only on a small number of Islamic occasions each year, such as Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi and Shab-e-Meraj, when it is shown to the assembled congregation. Those dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year, and the crowds are very large. Confirm with the shrine before planning a trip around it.
How much time should we keep for Hazratbal?
An hour is usually enough for the shrine and the lakefront courtyard on a normal day. Many families combine it with the Mughal gardens Nishat and Shalimar and a Dal Lake shikara ride, all of which are close by on the same side of the lake.
Plan your Hazratbal Shrine yatra
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