The region of Jammu & Kashmir is a special part of Southern Asia. Though it has long seen conflicts and political turmoil, Kashmir is actually a beautiful place. Kashmir Valley, in particular, earned the nickname “Heaven on Earth” due to its breathtaking mountainsides and lush green valleys. Others have even called it the “Switzerland of India” for the same reason. However, there is a small town in Kashmir that has been attracting attention: the town of Srinagar. The main talk of the town here is Roza Bal, a shrine with a controversial and interesting history attached to it. With Roza Bal literally meaning “holy tomb place”, it is believed that a man by the name of Yus Asaf, a saint of Kashmir, is buried here. Depending on what you believe in, there are speculations that Yus Asaf is actually Jesus Christ himself. There is belief that he survived his crucifixion, travelled to present-day Kashmir, and continued to preach there until his death. Of course, this is all part of an interesting legend that surrounds the tomb, but no one is really certain of anything except that this shrine is important and sacred to the people of Kashmir. If this piqued your interest, learn more about it and keep reading this guide to Roza Bal, Srinagar.
Things to do/ highlights
Mysterious resting place
Roza Bal is mainly known to be a resting place, but the resting place of whom is the big question behind it all. There are speculations here and there, but the most popular theory is that Yus Asaf or Youza Asaph, a Muslim teacher, is buried here. This was the belief until one day, a local story started spreading that it is actually Jesus of Nazareth who is buried in the tomb. This was picked up by Lonely Planet and since then has gained a lot of attention from tourists.
Religious shrine
Since Roza Bal is a tomb, the fact that it is also considered to be a religious shrine cannot be avoided. Housed inside a small and humble building made of stone and a green-coloured metal roof, Roza Bal is an important religious shrine for the local Muslims of Kashmir. It was first mentioned in the book Tarikh Azami or the History by Azam, which was written by the Khwaja Muhammad Azam Didamari, a local Muslim writer from Srinagar. It’s also worth noting that the unique location of the shrine is within the Indian-controlled territory of Kashmir but is near the border of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and is under the care of the local Muslims.
Travelers tips
Awareness and safety
Roza Bal is a unique shrine that has a bit of controversy surrounding it, depending on what your belief is. However, that’s not the only thing that makes the place controversial. Roza Bal is located in Kashmir, on the Indian-controlled territory, but due to its nearness to the border with the Pakistan-controlled region, there have been political tensions in the area. In recent years though, things have calmed down but before traveling to Kashmir, it’s best to check and to get updates on the current political situation there so you can travel with ease.
Be respectful when visiting
Due to the rise of tourists coming to Roza Bal thanks to Lonely Planet and other media piquing their interests, the local caretakers have started to get a little unhappy. Tourists must remember that they will probably not be welcomed with open arms when wanting to pay a visit to Roza Bal. Remember that this is still a religious shrine to the locals there, so you have to be cautious about your actions when visiting.
How to get there
Kashmir is becoming a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful mountain ranges and unparalleled lush valleys. You might think it’s a difficult place to reach because of its location between two countries fighting over the territory, but don’t let that get to you. Getting to Srinagar, in particular, is now very convenient either by train or by vehicle.
By train
To get to Kashmir via rail, you may take the Jammu Tawi Railway Station on lines 22461, 12919, or 11077. You can conveniently take this if you’re coming from New Delhi. Alight at Jamu Tawi, take a taxi to Jammu, and from there take a bus to Srinagar. From the bus stop, it’s a 23-minute walk to Roza Bal via Nalamar - Khanyar Road.
By car
If you prefer to take a private vehicle or a taxi, you can do so by taking various highways. The National Highway 1-A connects Srinagar with Jammu. Don’t forget to take in some of the beautiful scenery of the Kashmir valley along the drive. If you are already in Srinagar, just ask the driver to take you to Roza Bal.
In Srinagar, you probably won’t have difficulty finding Roza Bal since it is one of the most well-known places in the area. Simply ask a local for directions to the shrine.
Roza Bal information
Roza Bal
Address: Khaniyar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190003 India
Opening hours: 7:30am - 6pm (daily)
Official website: Roza Bal
Department of tourism: Visit Jammu & Kashmir
News & updates for Roza Bal: Could Hitler Be Buried In Kashmir? Another One For the Conspiracy Theorists! | Tourists flock to ‘Jesus’s tomb’ in Kashmir
History
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