Shankaracharya Hill
Shankaracharya Hill, Srinagar: Address, Shankaracharya Hill Reviews: 4.5/5
Shankaracharya Hill
Shankaracharya Hill
4.5
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4.5
2,089 reviews
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chiragushah
Mumbai, India54 contributions
Jun 2022
This is on a hill top and worth a visit because of its heritage as it is approximately 200 years old, divine shrine and lovely view of Srinagar from top.
Please consider:
It has around 365 steps to be climb.
Would need some walk during peak seasons as it has too many cars visiting and doesn't have proper parking spot.
Bathroom needs more cleanliness.
Checking by Army officials always advisable to carry Aadhar Card (When you travel), though they might not ask.
Please consider:
It has around 365 steps to be climb.
Would need some walk during peak seasons as it has too many cars visiting and doesn't have proper parking spot.
Bathroom needs more cleanliness.
Checking by Army officials always advisable to carry Aadhar Card (When you travel), though they might not ask.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Amal Jain
New Delhi, India2 contributions
Apr 2022
Tip: Take at least 4 hours to visit here specially if you are travelling with family. Make sure you and your driver have a Jio SIM for communication purpose.
On our last day in kashmir, this was the only unchecked place in our bucket list. We had a flight to catch in the afternoon so we thought of worshipping here in the morning and then head to the airport.
Shankaracharya temple is situated at the hilltop, so you have to ride up the hill for at least 10 kms. Since, most of the people visiting are families, you'll see a lot of SUVs (usually Tavera or Innova) moving up and down the narrow hill road. Now, when there are too many of these SUV's on a hill road, the road gets heavily congested, sometimes for couple of hours. And in that case, drivers usually suggest to get down and walk up the road, reach an Auto stand in the midway, where they'll drop you at temple's main entrance for 100 rs. Meanwhile, drivers park their vehicles on the side when the traffic is cleared. Our driver suggested the same and asked us to meet at the same spot. We got down and walked but the auto stand was at least 4km from the congested spot.
Then, we reached temple entrance and climbed around 280 steps. The steps are a bit steep for the elderly and they won't be able to climb it at once. On halfway, they'll be tired and they'll need a break. But on the way and at the top, you'll see some incredible aerial views of Dal Lake. The main temple is around 80 steps more from the temple premises. It took us around an hour and half to climb up, worship and climb down the steps. Since, my parents were exhausted, we hired an auto to drop us at the auto stand. Here, we faced a major issue.
Once we reached the auto stand, we walked down to find our car, but we couldn't find it. We called our driver, but the hill doesn't support mobile networks once you go past the auto stand. Before auto stand, only Jio works and our driver had Airtel SIM. We kept walking down for almost 6 kms and we couldn't establish any contact with our car or the driver. We were fatigued after walking 10 kms and 700 steps, also distraught because our luggage was inside the car. We then hired an auto for 250 rs and asked him to take us up to the temple's main entrance and we looked for our car parked on the sideways. And finally we found our car near temple's entrance. This was a sheer case of miscommunication. Our driver thought the traffic is cleared so he brought the car just before temple steps for our convenience. And since we were supposed to meet him at the same stop, we didn't pay attention to the cars near main entrance. And no networks just made things miserable for us. As we did take some margin in the morning, we made it to the airport just on time.
But, I would say the traffic management on the hill is extremely gruesome. Management should instead allow only auto or Buses and restrict car entry in the hills. This creates hell lot of problem for the devotees, drivers and traffic inspectors.
On our last day in kashmir, this was the only unchecked place in our bucket list. We had a flight to catch in the afternoon so we thought of worshipping here in the morning and then head to the airport.
Shankaracharya temple is situated at the hilltop, so you have to ride up the hill for at least 10 kms. Since, most of the people visiting are families, you'll see a lot of SUVs (usually Tavera or Innova) moving up and down the narrow hill road. Now, when there are too many of these SUV's on a hill road, the road gets heavily congested, sometimes for couple of hours. And in that case, drivers usually suggest to get down and walk up the road, reach an Auto stand in the midway, where they'll drop you at temple's main entrance for 100 rs. Meanwhile, drivers park their vehicles on the side when the traffic is cleared. Our driver suggested the same and asked us to meet at the same spot. We got down and walked but the auto stand was at least 4km from the congested spot.
Then, we reached temple entrance and climbed around 280 steps. The steps are a bit steep for the elderly and they won't be able to climb it at once. On halfway, they'll be tired and they'll need a break. But on the way and at the top, you'll see some incredible aerial views of Dal Lake. The main temple is around 80 steps more from the temple premises. It took us around an hour and half to climb up, worship and climb down the steps. Since, my parents were exhausted, we hired an auto to drop us at the auto stand. Here, we faced a major issue.
Once we reached the auto stand, we walked down to find our car, but we couldn't find it. We called our driver, but the hill doesn't support mobile networks once you go past the auto stand. Before auto stand, only Jio works and our driver had Airtel SIM. We kept walking down for almost 6 kms and we couldn't establish any contact with our car or the driver. We were fatigued after walking 10 kms and 700 steps, also distraught because our luggage was inside the car. We then hired an auto for 250 rs and asked him to take us up to the temple's main entrance and we looked for our car parked on the sideways. And finally we found our car near temple's entrance. This was a sheer case of miscommunication. Our driver thought the traffic is cleared so he brought the car just before temple steps for our convenience. And since we were supposed to meet him at the same stop, we didn't pay attention to the cars near main entrance. And no networks just made things miserable for us. As we did take some margin in the morning, we made it to the airport just on time.
But, I would say the traffic management on the hill is extremely gruesome. Management should instead allow only auto or Buses and restrict car entry in the hills. This creates hell lot of problem for the devotees, drivers and traffic inspectors.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ajith sarma
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), India269 contributions
Jun 2022
Temple which is located at Srinagar . The great part is flora and fauna on the way to this temple is totally different from the rest in Kashmir. It looks more like Kerala.
Around 250 steps to be climbed after security scrutiny.
The Lord Shiva linga as well the cave where Adi Shankara had his penance is point attraction.
You can have a holistic view of the full city from there
Around 250 steps to be climbed after security scrutiny.
The Lord Shiva linga as well the cave where Adi Shankara had his penance is point attraction.
You can have a holistic view of the full city from there
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Neil K
2 contributions
Apr 2022
It is a different world altogether. The entire Srinagar city is visible from the top. Requires a short trek, which can be tiring but it is worth it.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MANINDAR
6 contributions
May 2022
Best Panaromic view of Srinagar from the Sankarcharya temple arena. Very serene and peaceful atmoshphere.
Around 250-300 starirs to reach the temple arena.
No plastic zone and very clean.
private taxi, cabs not allowed before 500mts from where the Temple stairs starts.
Around 250-300 starirs to reach the temple arena.
No plastic zone and very clean.
private taxi, cabs not allowed before 500mts from where the Temple stairs starts.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shresthanjan Nath
Guwahati, India593 contributions
Apr 2022
Travel up the hill was awesome experience but tiresome. Have to climb 360 steps to reach the temple at top. Nice views of Srinagar town.
Written 1 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Aparna Khandwala
19 contributions
May 2022
This temple is on a mountian top. One can travel by car till a drop off point, followed by some walking and then about 265 odd steps need to be climbed. The view along the way is fabulous. One can oversee full dal lake and Srinagar. It is amazing how Shankaryacharyaji might have walked all the way till here from Kerela. The vibe inside the meditation cave is simply calming.
Written 1 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Naren
2 contributions
May 2022
Must go place get a great view of Sri Nagar. Calm place gives a great view of Dal Lake and Jhelum River
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dc d
25 contributions
May 2022
Nice temple and entire valley can be seen from here.
Eventhough there are 250 steps travelers can sit and climb it and its not very hectic
Eventhough there are 250 steps travelers can sit and climb it and its not very hectic
Written 17 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Raghu P
Hyderabad, India15 contributions
May 2022
This is a MUST visit place and the view is very nice. For some strange reason the Vehicle drivers is reluctant to take us there by giving various excuses like all the time will be lost there, Luggage checks by CRPF and its too tiresome etc. But when we insisted on seeing it finally he took there. There are around 230 steps and easy to climb. It took aroudn 1 hour to climb the steps + Darshan + coming down the steps. The view is amazing and can overlook Dal Lake and other CIty from the HIll. Dont miss visiting if you are in Srinagar
Written 17 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Besides walking up 200 steps, is there any other way to view the temple?
DBIDHURI
New Delhi, India403 contributions
No, other way to reach top... straight stairs..but by Mhadev power..all able to climb...its must visit
Is it safe to travel Kashmiri now (December 2021)
nvp
Bhavnagar, India588 contributions
Yes
Please go ahead and don’t worry
We are planning to visit srinagar , pahalgam and sonmarg in last week of october. Will it be safe around that time?
nvp
Bhavnagar, India588 contributions
It is quite safe, we did not face any security problem there. Locals welcome tourists in Kashmir.
xplorerindia
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India32 contributions
Want to visit the shankracharya temple before leaving for airport at 8:30 am..tomorrow?is it doaable? Is Sunday early morning going to be super busy? If I target to reach temple by 6:30 am.. can I be done in an hour ?
Thanks in advance !
vinodadnani
Mumbai, India27 contributions
It’s near dal lake so should take 1 1/2 hours the whole trip.
Just check what time they open early morning.
Marut M
Bhagalpur, India
My mother is 62 years old, will she be able to walk from temple to security point to temple
Jaspreet K
Thane, India5 contributions
Hi, She can with very frequent breaks. Steps are tall. Mostly depends on her fitness level. An aged person with knee joints pain will find it difficult. Thanks.
bbyvin
Mumbai, India5 contributions
Up to what point are private taxis allowed up the hill ? I plan to visit the temple.
Sharadha_SK
Singapore, Singapore29 contributions
You can go by the vehicle until the base (where the steps begin). There is a security point beyond which no phones/camera is allowed. It is quite an easy climb (takes about 20-30 minutes) if you are absolutely slow.
There is a viewing point halfway, so don't forget to stop your vehicle to enjoy those views.
bbyvin
Mumbai, India5 contributions
Is there a safe deposit facility for mobiles at the army check point ?
vgdeodhar
Nashik, India40 contributions
Hello, that is the problem with our securities all over India. They do not allow cellphones etc but have no system in place to safekeep such costly gadgets. You will have to keep it in your car or hired vehicle only.
Hello
Can someone please help me with the no of stairs to taken to reach temple
Dr Ujjawal P
Patna, India564 contributions
It’s approx 250 steps
subhash Agrawal
Rewa, India58 contributions
how can reach temple from dal lake area. auto/van/ walk?
Surya Katakam
Hyderabad, India1,756 contributions
There are many options available to reach this temple. You can hire cab and go there. Till base location you can go by cab and cab will be stopped there, from there you have to walk around 100 steps up. You will find good city view from this temple, specially Dal lake view.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shankaracharya Hill
- We recommend booking Shankaracharya Hill tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Shankaracharya Hill tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Shankaracharya Hill:
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- Hotels near Shankaracharya Hill:
- (0.92 km) Manila Group Of House Boats
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- (1.04 km) Hb New Golden Rose
- (1.13 km) Chicago Group of Houseboats
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- Restaurants near Shankaracharya Hill:
- (1.16 km) Stream Restaurant
- (1.15 km) Krishna Vaishno Dhaba
- (1.16 km) Shamyana Restaurant
- (1.00 km) Winterfell Cafe
- (2.38 km) Ahdoos