The Shankracharya Temple is a pilgrimage destination located on Gopadari Hill in Srinagar. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be the oldest shrine in the Kashmir valley. The stairs leading up the hill to this temple count 36 steps. This total of 36 steps is in accordance with Hindu tradition, 36 denoting as many elements of which cosmos is made, viz. While it is somewhat a tiring climb on a hot summer day, the temple is definitely worth a visit. At the entrance you will find cowbells hanging from an arch, which you can rattle three times for luck. You need to bring socks if you visit the temple itself, as you are not allowed to wear shoes on its (holy) grounds. The shrine within the temple is very small, and you can see it's not discovered yet by mass tourism as the only people that come there to worship are indians. You can kneel in front of a priest, who will give you a dot on the forehead, a symbol of purity and beauty but also for the third eye, symbolizing a form of wisdom. You will also receive a handful of grained sugar. When you go outside, you can walk around a platform surrounding the temple, where you have a truly magnificent panoramic view over Srinagar valley. Words can't describe that sight and photographs won't do it justice.