Exploring the Experiences of Women on Muslim Pilgrimage: A Study of Hazaratbal Shrine in Kashmir

The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of women at Hazaratbal shrine in Kashmir also known as Madinut-ul-Sani (second Madina). In spite of growing interest of scholars in sacred tourism research, little efforts are made to examine female perception of holy shrine experiences. The authors collected data through interviews and participant observation of female pilgrims/visitors, at the shrine. The theoretical base of the study is the phenomenological work of Schultz. After the completion of analysis, five main categories of perceptions appeared which attract women visitors to Hazaratbal shrine namely prayer and worship, thanksgiving, healing, learning and heritage.