Khanqah e Moula in Srinagar

You will find the shrine Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar on the bank of the Jhelum. This shrine, which is believed to be one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir, was built in the year 1395 by Sultan Sikander and dedicated to the Muslim saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani better known as Shah Hamadan. The saint is believed to be the main person behind the spread of Islam in Kashmir. This shrine is a two storied structure made of wood and incorporates features of Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic architecture. When you enter the shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula at Srinagar, you will find that the interiors of the building have beautiful paintings and carved woodwork. Antique chandeliers add to the beauty of the wooden structure. You will find 14 cloisters and a small shrine inside the shrine. On the doorway of the saint’s shrine on the northwest corner, you will find the date of the saint’s death is engraved.

The tomb is beautifully decorated with glass and glazed tiles. At the walls of the prayer hall you will find panels with woodwork displaying the name of God in gold. At the center of the hall, there are four decorated wooden pillars supporting the ceiling. They have lotus motifs at the base and leaf patters at the top. The heavily decorated roofs are sloping and pyramidal and separate the two tiers of the shrine. In the first tier of the Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar, you will find balconies with covered two tiered passages encircling the building except the main entrance. At the second tier, however, you will find a single arcaded balcony. All the balconies have wooden grills and columns, which are also heavily decorated. The base of the spire at the second tier you will find, decorated windows and the apex is covered with gold. At some parts of the roof you will find terrace gardens adding to the beauty of the heavily decorated wooden structure.

The Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar has undergone lots of additions and alterations. The shrine was completely burnt down in 1480 and was reconstructed and restored by Sultan Hassan Shah. It was again demolished in 1493 and got two stories during the reconstruction. The year 1731 saw the shrine face ruination again due to another devastating fire and then the final renovation was done by Abul Barkat Khan.

The best day to visit the Khanqah-e-Moula of Srinagar is on the 6th of Zilhaj, which is the last month of the Muslim calendar. It is the death anniversary of the saint Shah Hamadan. On this day, large number of devotees comes to the annual congregation that is formed at this shrine for paying their tribute to the saint.