Nizamuddin Aulia Shrine

Nizamuddin Aulia Shrine
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

near Mathura Road
Timings: Open on all days from sunrise to sunset
Preferred Timings: Thursday evenings between 5-7 p.m.
Famous as: A Sufi shrine - Hazrat Nizamuddin’s Dargah
Admission: Free and open to all
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located near Mathura Road or they can take auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Video charges: Nil (but caretakers need to be tipped at least Rs 20; prior permission required)
Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Central Secretariat
Functional Metro Station: Central Secretariat
Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: 2½ hours

Located in the historic Nizamuddin village, about 2 kilometers from Humayun’s tomb, and not far from the eastern end of the Lodi Road, is the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin. It is the shrine of a famous humanitarian Muslim Sufi and mystic saint, Sheikh Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Chishti.

Born at Badaun in the state of Uttar Pradesh in 1236, Sheikh Hazrat Nizamuddin was the disciple of the saint Sheikh Farid Shakarganj, who appointed him as his successor. Said to be a direct descendant of Sheikh Nizamuddin Chisti, he had a large following which included Alauddin Khilji, Mohammed bin Tughlaq and the great poet Amir Khusrau. The royal processions of the Mughal Emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan always halted at Nizamuddin’s shrine, while the Emperor paid his respects at the sacred dargah. The revered saint was popular among people of all faiths because of his doctrine of renunciation and tolerance towards other religions. It is said that he prophesied Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq would never return to Delhi again and the ruler died soon after. Hazrat Nizamuddin died in 1325 and his shrine today is a popular pilgrimage site.

Hazrat Nizamuddin’s original tomb no longer exists. Faridun Khan, a nobleman, built the present structure in the mid-15th century, and it was repaired and decorated by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, as well as by later rulers. A mosque and many other tombs of famous people surround the dargah, as they wished to be buried near the saint. It has a marble-paved courtyard where the sacred shrine of the saint can be seen. Shah Jahan later added the majestic pavilion with its marble arches and lattice screens known as jalis. Worshippers tie red threads to these jalis as signs of wishes they hope will be fulfilled. The roof is surmounted by a dome, which is ornamented by vertical stripes of black marble with lotus cresting. It is said that Akbar II constructed this imposing dome. The main grave is wrapped with a scented chadar or cloth, which is dark green in color. Devotees offer their prayers at the shrine by showering rose petals and lighting incense sticks. Pilgrims congregate at the shrine twice a year for the festival or Urs held to mark the anniversaries of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and the renowned poet Amir Khusrau.

The best day to visit the shrine is on Thursday evening to experience the faith of the devotees, who visit the shrine, seeking fulfillment of their prayers.

www.indfy.com/places-to-see-in-delhi/central-delhi/nizamu...

March 18th, 2007