Shankaracharya Temple

The Shankaracharya Temple, perched atop the Takht-e-Sulaiman hill at 1,850m, is one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir - believed to date back to 200 BC and visited by the philosopher Adi Shankara in the 9th century. The temple's octagonal stone sanctum houses a Shiva lingam, and the hilltop offers perhaps the finest single view in all of Srinagar: Dal Lake, the Jhelum meandering through the city, the Pir Panjal range, and the Mughal gardens far below. The 240-step climb is a pilgrimage in itself. The temple holds deep religious significance for Hindus and showcases Kashmir's ancient Shaivite heritage.