Indo Islamic Heritage
The shrine is centrally located and well connected within Srinagar. The nearest railway station is Srinagar Railway Station, approximately 12 kilometers away. The nearest major bus stand is Batamaloo Bus Stand, located about 8 kilometers from the site. The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar, situated roughly 14 kilometers away.
Masjid Mir Syed Mohammad Hamdani (Khanqah‑e‑Moula), popularly known as Khanqah-e-Moula or Khanqah-e-Mualla, is one of the oldest and most revered Sufi shrines in Kashmir, situated on the banks of the River Jhelum in Srinagar’s old city. The shrine was established in 1395 CE by Mir Syed Mohammad Hamdani, the son of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (Shah-e-Hamdan), on land purchased from Sultan Sikandar. Shah-e-Hamdan, born in 1314 CE in Hamdan, Iran, was a towering Islamic scholar, Sufi saint, social reformer, and preacher who played a decisive role in the spread and consolidation of Islam in Kashmir. During his three visits to Kashmir between 774 AH and 785 AH, he transformed the religious, social, and cultural landscape of the valley by systematizing Islamic teachings, strengthening moral values, and establishing institutions of learning. He is believed to have influenced the conversion of thousands and introduced Central Asian arts and crafts—such as shawl weaving, carpet making, wood carving, papier-mâché, and calligraphy—which later became defining features of Kashmiri culture. Architecturally, Khanqah-e-Moula is a masterpiece of Central Asian–Kashmiri wooden architecture. The square, two-storey structure with gently sloping pyramidal roofs is constructed primarily from cedar wood. Its interiors are richly decorated with carved wooden panels, floral motifs, Qur’anic inscriptions painted in gold, and a distinctive ceiling made of painted wooden chips arranged in a fish-bone pattern, supported by tall wooden pillars with lotus-carved capitals. The exterior features glazed tiles and glasswork, creating a striking contrast. Over the centuries, the shrine suffered multiple fires and reconstructions—most notably in 1480, 1493, and 1731—with the final major renovation carried out by Abul Barkat Khan. Today, the shrine stands not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of Kashmir’s spiritual heritage, Sufi tradition, and cultural synthesis, drawing devotees from across the region, especially on the Urs (death anniversary) of Shah-e-Hamdan observed annually in January.
Year of Built: 14th Century
Address: Babdem- Kahan Kah Rd, Shamswari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190002
Country: India
State: Jammu and Kashmir
District: Srinagar
Pincode: 190002
Longitude: 74.8062° E
Latitude: 34.0936° N