Amongst the several places of religious importance in Srinagar the most prominent one is the temple of Shankaracharya built by Jaluka, the son of emperor Ashoka, the 3rd century BC. Srinagar’s most cared mosque Hazratbal Mosque located in a village of the same name on the banks of the Dal Lake. Its immaculate white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake. Hazratbal's special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. The Jama Masjid in the heart of the old city, is of imposing proportions, the mosque is built around a courtyard and is supported by 370 wooden pillars.
Other places of importance are Hari Parbat Fort built by the Mughals, Hari Parbat is also sacred to Hindus for it houses the Temple of Sharika Devi, which is believed to be a form of goddess Durga or Shakti On the southern side of the Hari Parbat hill is the historic shrine of Makhdoom Sahib, which is visited by people of all faiths, and Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara where the sixth Sikh guru while traveling through Kashmir, stopping to preach occasionally. A gurudwara has been built at the exact site of each of these halts.
