Khanqah-e-Molla is an important religious place to visit in Srinagar. It was constructed in 1395 and is counted as one of the oldest Muslim shrines in Jammu and Kashmir. This altar is believed to contain “the secret of Allah.” Moreover, it is a heaven for architecture lovers as they can see an excellent example of woodwork inspired by Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic styles.
Khanqah-e-Molla was built to remember Sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdan, who preached Islam in Kashmir. In 1480, this shrine was ravaged by fire and was later renovated by Sultan Hassan Shah in 1493.
Today, Khanqah-e-Molla stands on an uneven walled base, which is made from material from ancient temples. It has two storeys and is two-tiered, with sloping pyramidal roofs separating each tier. Roofs also have heavy woodwork.
The shrine in Khanqah-e-Molla is located at the northwest corner of the building, and 1384 AD, the date on which the saint died, is carved above the doorway.
- Location:On the banks of Jhelum River and near to, Zaina Kadal – Maharaj Ganj Road, Srinagar
- Type of Destination:Pilgrimage site
- Opening Hours of Khanqah-e-Molla: NA
- Entry Fees of Khanqah-e-Molla:Nil
- Duration:2 – 3 hours
History of Khanqah-e-Molla
The mosque is also called the Shah Hamdam Masjid and is located on the right bank of the Jhelum river. Shah Sikander built this shrine in 1395 in honor of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani aka Shah Hamdan. Fire destroyed this mosque many times, and Abul Barkat Khan renovated the structure you see today in 1732.
Note: Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque.
How to reach Khanqah-e-Molla
- By Air: Srinagar Airport is connected to major cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Chennai, and Kolkata. Take a taxi from the airport to Khanqah-e-Molla, only 11 km away.
- By Train: Take a taxi to the Jammu railway station and hire a taxi or bus to reach Khanqah-e-Molla, which will take around 7.5 hours.
- By Road:From Srinagar, taxis are available to Khanqah-e-Molla easily.
Best time to visit Khanqah-e-Molla
You can plan a visit to Khanqah-e-Molla between April and October. During this time, the weather is delightful, and you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
You can get information about this mosque by contacting our tour experts