PILGRIMAGE Major Religions : Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism What To See : Temples, Shrines, Mosques and Monasteries Major Hindu Pilgrimage : Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and Amarnath Cave Famous Pilgrim Destinations : Chrar-E-Sharief, Kheer Bhawani, Hemis Gompa

Pilgrimage Destinations In Jammu and Kashmir

Historical Synopsis

People & Lifestyle

Festivals

To reach god, the easiest way is to take a pilgrimage tour to Jammu and Kashmir, abode of gods and you will experience the devotional power that is the prerequisite to achieve the spiritual Nirvana. The most holy destinations of Hindus and Muslims can be find in this state and you will felt that the entire state is holy. While Jammu is known as the 'City of Temples' and Kashmir has innumerable Shrines and Mosques, Ladakh is recognized as 'Land of Lamas' and for its Gompas and monasteries the whole state has a deep link with the religion. A tour to this state will reveal you the history of religions, important pilgrim destinations that include temples, shrines and Mosques and most of all it may be your tour to self realization.

Vaishno Devi Shrine

Vaishno Devi Yatra

The Shrine of Vaishno Devi is the most holy shrine amongst the Hindus and thronged by millions of Devotees every year. This cave shrine is located at an altitude of 5,300 feet above sea level on the hills of Trikuta range and is 48 kilometers away from the Jammu city and 14 kilometers upward trek from the Katra to main temple complex. The cave that is 30 meters long and 1.5 meters high is the only way that lead to the complex that has three shrines of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. Visit this temple and you will be granted with the four important boons of righteousness, material pursuit, contentment and enlightenment.

Amarnath Cave

Amarnath Yatra

To experience the divine pilgrimage visit one of the four Char Dhams located at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level on the snow mountains of Kashmir Valley. The cave has the shivlingam formed naturally by stalagmite and the pair of pigeons who have become immortal by hearing the secret of creation (Amar Katha) that Shivji told to his beloved wife Parvati in this cave. Chandanwari and Baltal are the two base camps where from you can reach the cave but one thing is common that you have to bear the steep and upward climb through the mountains mostly under snow cover. Spiritual enlightenment and mental piece are bestowed by the lord on the pilgrims who visit this destination.

Gompas of Ladakh

Ladakh

Monasteries

Ladakh Festivals

Ladakh a hub of Buddhism has achieved a recognition as one of the oldest Buddhist Destination where one can find old monasteries situated on the cliffs of mountains. These monasteries are not only the educational and spiritual institutions but many have museums that showcase the history of Buddhism in Ladakh and life of Buddhists to thousands of tourist who visit this land. An ideal place for pilgrimage tourism you can find around 100 Gompas and monasteries that belong toMahayana and Hinayana Sects of Buddhism. Hemis Gompa is the largest monastery and Sankar Gompa and Likhir Monastry are the two monasteries built in 11th century and are considered as a land mark. You can also find a three storey monolithic statue of Lord Buddha that was built at Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, built in the year 1430. Plan tour to this region exclusively to visit the Gompas and monasteries it will be an ideal experience to know about the Buddhist culture and their eight fold path of Lord Buddha.

Hazratbal Mosque

For the believers of Islam, Hazratbal mosque is one of the important pilgrimage destinations where the holy relic of the last prophet is preserved, that arrived to this place in the year 1699. Located on the bank of Dal lake this mosque is one of the most beautiful mosque that offers the picturesque sight of the Lake on one side and beautiful gardens dotted by chinar trees on the other. Built on white marble this mosque was the first with a dome and you can find a unique blend of Mughal and Kashmiri architecture in it. Visit this mosque and you will find that literally there is no space to put your feet on Friday at the time of prayers.

Char-E-Sharief

Shrine of the renowned Kashmiri saint Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Noorani is the most visited Muslim pilgrimage destination in Kashmir Valley. Every year lakhs of people from all over the state visit this shrine to pay their tribute to the saint who is also a founder of Reshism in Kashmir. Born in the year 1377 this saint spent early part of his life in mountain caves to achieve the self realization and after attaining it lived for the service of people and spent most of his time in prayers. Later his disciples built a mausoleum in his memory and this place became famous among the pilgrims belonging to the both communities of Hindus and Muslims as Chrar-e- Sharief. Spent some time in this shrine and you will felt a fire of devotion burning in your heart.

Other Destinations

Is it possible to define the pilgrimage destination of a state where gods themselves have lived? No, it is not possible, as every drop of water and every pebble of this land is sacred. Some of the destinations that have achieved a lot of importance are Shankarachariya Temple, located on the top of Kohi Maran this temple offers the panoramic beauty of the old Srinagar city and has the historical importance of being one of the oldest temples in Kashmir. Khankahe Mouala is a mosque built in 1395 in Kashmiri Muslim Architectural style on the banks of river Jehlum by a Saint Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, who visited the valley and introduced Islam to Kashmir. Kheer Bhawani is a shrine of Ragnya Devi and is worshipped by the pundits of Kashmir Valley. A festival is held every year and many pilgrims visit the shrine all over the state to pay tribute to the goddess. Among the Kashmiri Muslims there is one of the most popular shrines located on the Hill of Hari Parbat in the heart of city. This shrine belongs to the saint of Sheikh Hamzah also called Makhdoom Sahib. Beyond the shrine the important feature of this shrine is the view of Srinagar city and the stair way that leads to shrine. It is a challenge for devotees to reach the shrine without taking rest on way.

Holiday To 'Heaven of Pilgrimage Tourism'

For all the pilgrimage tourists Jammu and Kashmir is a state where you can find the shrines, temples, gurduwaras, monasteries and mosques. This is the place where the people from ages have lived together in complete harmony and shared many religious rituals and traditions. In this part of world the Shrine has equal sanctity before the muslim and non muslim and places of worship are not restricted to any community, place a visit to this city and you will find that all people inspite of belonging to different religions do not hesitate to participate in the prayer meetings of one another and festivals of every community is celebrated by one and all.