Mid-night blaze damages historic Pathar Masjid in Srinagar

Pulpit damaged fully, officials say short-circuit main reason for fire

Srinagar, Nov 6: Mid-night blaze damaged the historic Pathar Masjid in Nawabazar area of Srinagar partially, officials said on Friday morning.

They said that the fire broke out in Pathar Masjid, which is a Mughal era stone masjid, located in Nawabazar area of Srinagar. An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that in the fire incident, the pulpit of the masjid got fully damaged and since the masjid is built of stone, fire didn’t cause much effect.

“Fire service vehicles reached the spot well on time and doused the blaze,” an official said, adding that the short circuit has been found as the primary reason for the blaze.  “Police and locals also helped in dousing the flames,” they said.

Pertinently, Pathar Mosque, locally known as Naev Masheed is a Mughal era stone mosque located in the Nawabazar area of old city of Srinagar. It is located on the left bank of the River Jhelum, just opposite the shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula. It was built by Mughal Empress Noor Jehan, the wife of emperor Jehangir.

The mosque has some distinct features that separates it from the rest of the mosques in Kashmir. Unlike other mosques, it does not have the traditional pyramidal roof. Furthermore, the mosque has nine mehraabs (arches), with the central one being larger than the others.(KNO)