St Mary's Church Gulmarg, built in 1902: its history, closure and 2003 reopening, what you can see, Christmas in Gulmarg, visiting in winter vs summer, and how to fit it into a Gulmarg day.
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In This Article
Quick Answer: St Mary's Church Gulmarg is a small stone church built in 1902, during British rule, and one of the oldest churches in Jammu and Kashmir. It was closed for years, renovated and reopened in 2003. It sits in the main Gulmarg bowl, is free to see from outside, and is most photographed in winter, when snow covers its roof.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Every winter, someone sends us the same photograph: a grey stone church with a steep roof buried in snow, a pine tree beside it, and nothing else but white. That is St Mary's Church Gulmarg. It is not large, and it is not always open, but it is one of the few buildings in Gulmarg older than most of the hotels, and it carries a quiet piece of the resort's history.
This guide explains what the church is, what to expect when you visit, and how to fit it into a day in Gulmarg. For the wider resort, see our things to do in Gulmarg and Gulmarg guide.
St Mary's Church Gulmarg at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1902, during British rule |
| Style | British-style church in grey stone and brick, with a wooden porch and wood-panelled interior |
| Reopened | 2003, after years of closure |
| Affiliation | Church of North India, Diocese of Amritsar |
| Capacity | About 95 to 100 people |
| Entry | Free; the exterior is always visible, the interior opens only when the caretaker is there |
| Best time | Mid-morning on a clear winter day, or late afternoon light in summer |
What is the history of St Mary's Church Gulmarg?
Gulmarg became a summer retreat for British officials and their families in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and St Mary's was built in 1902 to serve them. It is one of the oldest surviving churches in Jammu and Kashmir.
After the British left, the congregation dwindled and the church closed for many years. It was renovated and reopened in 2003, and its first Christmas service in 14 years was held after the reopening. Since then, Christmas services and prayer events have been held here in several years, some organised with the J&K Tourism Department as part of Gulmarg's winter celebrations.
One line sums up its place in Gulmarg: St Mary's is the building that remembers the resort before the ski lifts and the gondola.
Related reading: Khanqah-e-Moula, Srinagar: The Painted Wooden Shrine on the Jhelum
What can you see at the church?
- ✓The facade. A steep gabled front in grey stone, a latticed window and a simple cross at the peak.
- ✓The wooden porch. Carved timber posts and railings in a Kashmiri-British mix that shows up beautifully under snow.
- ✓The interior, when open: wood-panelled walls, rows of pews and a modest altar. Ask the caretaker before taking photographs inside.
- ✓The setting. Pines and open snowfields around the church, with the Gulmarg bowl beyond.
Local tip: the church is often locked outside services. Do not expect a full interior visit; treat it as a beautiful ten-minute stop, and count yourself lucky if the caretaker is there to open it.
Christmas at St Mary's Church Gulmarg
Christmas is the busiest week of early winter in Gulmarg, and the church becomes a natural focus. In past years Christmas services or prayer ceremonies have been held here, and the Tourism Department has organised lights and cultural programmes around the resort. Snow on 25 December is common but never guaranteed.
If you plan to be in Gulmarg for Christmas, book early: rooms for the last week of December fill weeks ahead. Our Kashmir New Year trip guide covers Christmas and New Year bookings, dinner charges and what can go wrong with flights and roads.
Related reading: Pathar Masjid, Srinagar: Nur Jahan's Stone Mosque on the Jhelum
Visiting in winter vs summer
| Winter (December to March) | Summer (May to September) | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Roof buried in snow, the classic photograph | Green meadows, flowers and the stone in full colour |
| Getting there | Snow road from Tangmarg; 4x4 or chains after fresh snow | Easy drive, then a short walk |
| Crowds | Busy at Christmas and New Year | Busy on summer weekends |
| Pair it with | Gondola, skiing, sledging | Gondola, meadow walks, golf course |
For snow and atmosphere, come between late December and February. For a calm visit and soft light on the stone, come in early summer.
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How do you reach St Mary's Church Gulmarg?
- Drive from Srinagar to Tangmarg (about 39 km), then up the 13 km road to Gulmarg.
- In winter, check the morning's road advisory; after heavy snow only 4x4s or chained vehicles may be allowed above Tangmarg.
- Once in Gulmarg, ask your driver or hotel for St Mary's; it is within the main Gulmarg area and easy to reach on foot or by pony.
- Combine it with the gondola or a sledge ride the same day; see snow sledging in Gulmarg.
Our guide to driving in Kashmir in snow explains the Tangmarg road in winter.
Where to stay near the church
Gulmarg hotels range from simple lodges to large resorts, and in winter heating matters more than anything else. See Gulmarg hotels and our Gulmarg hotels and igloo guide. If Gulmarg is full, Tangmarg and Srinagar are good bases for a day trip.
Want Gulmarg at Christmas without the stress? We book heated rooms early and plan the snow road.
Plan my Gulmarg trip →Via Kashmir plans Gulmarg stays and day trips from Srinagar, with verified hotels, houseboats on Dal and Nigeen for your Srinagar nights, Kashmir packages and local cabs that handle snow. Tell us your dates and we will build St Mary's into a relaxed Gulmarg day.
Frequently asked questions
When was St Mary's Church Gulmarg built?
It was built in 1902, during British rule, as a church for British officials who spent summers in Gulmarg. It is one of the oldest churches in Jammu and Kashmir.
Is St Mary's Church Gulmarg open to visitors?
You can see the exterior at any time. The interior opens when the caretaker is present or during services, so it is often locked. Visitors of all faiths are welcome to look respectfully.
Are Christmas services held at St Mary's Church Gulmarg?
Christmas services and prayer ceremonies have been held here in several years since its 2003 reopening, some organised with the Tourism Department. Check locally for the current year's plans.
Is there an entry fee for St Mary's Church Gulmarg?
No. There is no ticket. Donations are voluntary if you go inside.
What is the best time to see the church in snow?
Late December to February, after a fresh snowfall, gives the classic view of the roof under snow. Mid-morning light on a clear day is best for photographs.
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