Hazratbal market turns pilgrim, tourist footfall into thriving local economy

Srinagar, Feb 15: Hazratbal Market has evolved into one of Srinagar’s most visitor-driven commercial clusters, where daily pilgrim and tourist inflows directly translate into retail turnover for dozens of small businesses. Located adjacent to the iconic Hazratbal Shrine, the marketplace functions on a high-footfall model, with revenues closely tied to the volume and consistency of visitors.

Each morning, shopkeepers arrange prayer caps, veils, dry fruits, handicrafts and souvenirs in anticipation of steady customer movement.

“Some come to offer prayers, others to explore the area. But every visitor contributes to our livelihood,” says Farooq Ahmad, whose family has run a shop near the complex for generations.

Traders estimate that thousands visit the shrine complex daily, with numbers swelling significantly on Fridays and major religious occasions. During the summer months, business activity often extends until late at night, boosting overall sales.

“Fridays and festivals are our peak business days. Sales multiply compared to regular days,” Farooq explains. The congregation effect creates a natural retail cycle, where visitors combine their trip with shopping for religious items, traditional Kashmiri products and local delicacies.

The scenic setting—overlooking Dal Lake and framed by the Zabarwan mountains—adds to the area’s commercial appeal. Many tourists include Hazratbal in their itinerary, combining sightseeing, shikara rides and market visits, creating a multiplier effect for surrounding businesses.

Despite its commercial vibrancy, Hazratbal Market remains vulnerable to fluctuations in tourism and security conditions. Traders recall that recent incidents, including the Pahalgam attack, led to an immediate dip in footfall and sales.

“Our business depends entirely on visitor movement. Whenever tourism slows down, we feel the impact instantly,” says a dry fruit seller. Periodic shutdowns over the years have further disrupted trade cycles, affecting income stability for small vendors.

Over the decades, the number of vendors around Hazratbal has steadily increased. Elderly resident Gulzar Ahmad remembers a time when only a handful of shops operated in the area. “Now there are many shops and vendors. With time, the number of visitors has also grown,” he says.

The expansion reflects the area’s transformation into a micro-economy sustained by retail trade, small-scale entrepreneurship and service activity. From head coverings purchased before entering the shrine to souvenirs bought by tourists, the market benefits from impulse buying as well as planned spending.

Traders say infrastructural improvements have helped enhance the visitor experience. Facilities such as newly constructed washrooms have improved convenience, particularly for women tourists. Farooq acknowledges the role of Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, in facilitating such measures.

“Better facilities encourage more visitors to spend time here, which ultimately benefits us,” he notes.

Hazratbal Market exemplifies a location-based economy where religious tourism, leisure travel and local enterprise intersect. However, traders stress the need for sustained tourism promotion, stable security conditions and improved infrastructure to ensure long-term growth.

As visitors continue to stream into the area against the backdrop of Dal Lake, the narrow market lanes remain active with commerce. For the families who depend on it, Hazratbal Market is more than a retail space—it is an economic engine powered by consistent footfall and the enduring appeal of one of Srinagar’s most prominent destinations.

By: Janat Bazaz