Pathar Masjid, the grey limestone mosque Empress Nur Jahan built in 1623 on the Jhelum: why it looks unlike any other Kashmiri mosque, its unusual history, how to visit, and what is nearby in the old city.
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Quick Answer: Pathar Masjid is a grey limestone mosque on the Jhelum in Srinagar's old city, built by Empress Nur Jahan and completed in 1623. Unlike Kashmir's wooden mosques, it is Mughal stone architecture, about 55 metres long with nine arches and no pyramidal roof. It stands opposite Khanqah-e-Moula and has been a working mosque since 1931.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Walk along the Jhelum from Zaina Kadal and almost every old building you pass is timber and brick, with tiered roofs. Then you reach a long, low facade of grey stone, with arches cut as cleanly as anything in Agra. That is Pathar Masjid, the stone mosque, called Naev Masheed (the new mosque) by many in the old city. It is one of the few Mughal buildings in Srinagar built entirely of stone, and it has one of the oddest histories of any monument in Kashmir.
This guide explains what makes it different, how to visit and what is nearby. For the wider Downtown route, see our Srinagar old city walking tour.
Pathar Masjid at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | Completed 1623, commissioned by Empress Nur Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir |
| Material | Grey limestone, Mughal style |
| Size | About 55 metres long and 16 metres wide |
| Location | Left bank of the Jhelum, opposite Khanqah-e-Moula, old city Srinagar |
| Status | A protected monument, used as a mosque since 1931 |
| Time needed | 20 to 30 minutes |
What makes Pathar Masjid different from other Kashmiri mosques?
- ✓Stone, not wood. Kashmiri mosques such as Jamia Masjid and Khanqah-e-Moula are built of timber and brick. Pathar Masjid is dressed grey limestone throughout.
- ✓No pyramidal roof. Local mosques carry tiered, pagoda-like roofs and spires. Pathar Masjid has a flat Mughal profile.
- ✓Nine arches. The facade has nine arched openings, the central one larger than the rest, with carved stone niches above.
- ✓Mughal detail. Look for the fluted half-domes inside the arches and the carved stone panels, the same vocabulary as Mughal buildings on the plains.
Related reading: Nishat Bagh, Srinagar: The Twelve-Terrace Garden on Dal Lake
What is the history of Pathar Masjid?
Nur Jahan, one of the most powerful women of the Mughal court, had the mosque built during Jahangir's reign, and it was completed in 1623. Soon after it was built, it was declared unfit for prayers and for a long period was used for other purposes. Local stories offer reasons, but historians do not agree on one. Attempts to restore it as a mosque were made in the early twentieth century, and it was returned to use as a mosque in 1931.
Today it is a protected monument and an active mosque. One way locals put it: Pathar Masjid is the Mughals' signature in stone, left in a city that otherwise wrote in wood.
How should you visit Pathar Masjid?
- Go in the morning, outside prayer times, and avoid Friday midday.
- Dress modestly, with arms and legs covered; women should carry a scarf.
- Remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall.
- Photograph the facade from the courtyard or the riverbank; ask before photographing people.
- Cross the river to Khanqah-e-Moula to see both buildings in one walk.
Local tip: the best view of the facade is early morning, when soft light picks out the carved stone. Afternoon light flattens it.
In winter the stone is cold underfoot and the courtyard can be icy after snow, so wear shoes that are easy to slip off and socks you do not mind on a chilly floor. In summer, mornings are pleasant and the riverbank outside is a good place to sit and watch the old city wake up.
Related reading: Shalimar Bagh Srinagar: Jahangir's Royal Garden on Dal Lake
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Pathar Masjid vs Khanqah-e-Moula: why see both?
| Pathar Masjid | Khanqah-e-Moula | |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1623, Nur Jahan | 1395, Sultan Sikandar; rebuilt 1480 and 1731 |
| Material | Grey limestone | Timber and brick, papier-mache interior |
| Roof | Flat Mughal profile | Tiered pyramidal roof with spire |
| Bank | Left bank of the Jhelum | Right bank, directly opposite |
Standing between them on the river, you see Kashmir's two building traditions face to face: imperial Mughal stone on one side, Kashmiri wood on the other.
What is near Pathar Masjid?
- ✓Khanqah-e-Moula, across the Jhelum.
- ✓Zaina Kadal and its copperware shops; see our shopping in Srinagar guide.
- ✓Srinagar's old bridges; see the kadals of Srinagar.
- ✓Jamia Masjid, about 2 km away at Nowhatta.
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Frequently asked questions
Who built Pathar Masjid in Srinagar?
Empress Nur Jahan, wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, built it. It was completed in 1623.
Why is it called Pathar Masjid?
Pathar means stone. It is one of the few mosques in Srinagar built entirely of stone, unlike the city's wooden mosques.
Can tourists visit Pathar Masjid?
Yes, outside prayer times, if they dress modestly and remove their shoes. It is an active mosque, so be quiet and respectful.
Where is Pathar Masjid?
On the left bank of the Jhelum in Srinagar's old city, directly opposite Khanqah-e-Moula, near Zaina Kadal.
How long does a visit take?
About 20 to 30 minutes. Combine it with Khanqah-e-Moula, Zaina Kadal and Jamia Masjid for a full morning.
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