Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in Delhi

As you enter the narrow maze of lanes leading to Nizamuddin Dargah, it is difficult to believe that this is one of the country’s most sacred Sufi shrines. The lanes of Nizamiddin are packed with shops and spilling over with the excitable chatter of people bargaining. Holy books and prayer caps for Muslims vie for space with vibrant ‘chaddars’ or pieces of cloth that are spread over graves at the dargah, while the fragrance of rose petals make the atmosphere quite heady. In the runup to Eid or other major festivals, you may even find shops selling fancy slippers and such, sprung up in the medley of small shops. It is this mixed existence, blending the everyday and the esoteric with ease, that gives Nizamuddin Dargah its enduring appeal.

History of Nizamuddin Dargah: The Dargah contains the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a famous Sufi saint or ‘Pir’. Hazrat Nizamuddin, born in 1238, is considered to be of the same spiritual lineage as Moinuddin Chisti, of the Chisti order of Sufism. He had followers across faiths and classes, and his devotees included both rich and poor people. The emperor Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was one of his devotees, and erected the mausoleum where the saint is buried. More on history of India.

Highlights: You enter the Dargah complex through the big doors that are perpetually open, and find yourself in a large space. All around, are verandahs topped with marble arches that remain open to the sky.

Main tomb – The main tomb area is intricately decorated with golden pillars and intricate lattice work or ‘jaali’. On the jaaliwork you often find red thread tied by devotees as a ‘mannat’ or prayer for a heart’s desire to be fulfilled.

Tomb complex – The tomb complex houses the bodies of several famous personalities apart from that of Hazrat Nizamuddin.  Aamir Khusrau, the noted poet of the Mughal court and Nizamuddin’s lifelong friend, is buried here. Mirza Ghalib’s tomb is also in this complex. Another luminary of Akbar’s court, his minister and a renowned poet, Abdul Rahim also has his final resting place here. Besides, Shah Jahan’s daughter  is buried here as well as the prince Dara Shikoh. A few other structures worth noting inside the tomb complex are Jama’at- Khana Masjid and Kalan-Masjid.

Urs celebration: Nizamuddin Dargah is open all the time, but it comes into its own on two special days.  These are the Urs or the day of passing of Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusrau. Urs or the day of passing is a matter not for mourning, but celebration according to the Sufi faith. The Dargah is very crowded on these days and celebrations continue whole night.

Thursday qawwali sessions: Thursdays are also a special time at the dargah. Chisti Nizamuddin composed a phenomenal body of songs or ‘bandish’ which have become a part of North Indian classical music. ‘Bandish’ is something that binds, and each of these songs binds around a central theme. Celebrating the musical legacy of the Sufi master is a part of the tradition at the Dargah. Each Thursday, the tomb complex comes alive to the sound of quaawalis in which quaawals or singers from many surrounding regions also participate. Music flows, and entry is free, so just enter, sit in the courtyard and soak in the rich musical atmosphere that tells you how it must have been many, many centuries ago. Twinkling lights all around add to the peaceful atmosphere, as the qawwalis flow into late evening.

Here are a few points that can help you make the most of your visit to the dargah.

• The tomb is located in the eastern Nizamuddin area, tucked inside Old Nizamuddin Bazaar. It is closest to the Nizamuddin Metro station.

• Quawaalis happen every Thursday once the evening prayers are over. Check local sunset timings before you visit, to time your visit right, so that you can catch the musical session right from the beginning. Usually a good time to get in is around 7 PM, in order to be there early before the crowds swell.

• Anyone can enter the dargah, however the main tomb chamber is barred to women.

• Follow the decorum at the dargah. Open your shoes and cover your head before you enter.

Address: Boali Gate Rd, Nizamuddin, Nizammudin West Slum, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi, Delhi 110013
Phone: +91 98117 78607
Website: https://nizamuddinaulia.org
Opening times: Monday to Friday 5 am to 10.30 pm.

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Visiting India

India Travel Health Guide

Many travel enthusiasts often think of India as a must-travel destination. However, before you pack your bag and grab your airplane ticket, there are a few travel rules that you should familiarize yourself with.

Not checking the weather

One of the biggest mistakes that you are prone to make when visiting India is not researching the weather. As every travel enthusiast that has visited India before knows, the weather changes quite a lot, depending on the season. If you want to have a great time and you plan on visiting a big part of the country, you should plan your trip somewhere between October to March.

If you want to travel on a budget, and you want to visit the country off-season, you should expect to find many guest houses that are closed. For instance, in Goa, all beach shacks and most beach huts are taken down every monsoon. So, there is a high chance that you will end up paying more for accommodation as you will have to check-in at a hotel that is over your initial budget.

Moreover, during the off-season, many restaurants, especially the popular ones run by foreigners are likely to be closed, as many owners usually go on vacation or they return home to visit their families. Similarly, many local restaurants are also closed as there are not enough customers to turn a profit.

Also, traveling off-season is problematic because you might not get to take part in outdoor activities such as canyoning or rafting. If you plan on learning reiki or yoga, you should also keep in mind that most artists and spiritual leaders are generally away during this part of the year.

Not keeping your belongings safe

Traveling to India is a wholesome experience, but it also comes with a couple of risks, as there is a high chance that you will get robbed if you don’t keep an eye on your bags.

To stay safe while using local transportation such as trains, metros, and buses, it is also recommended that you dress accordingly so that you won’t draw too much attention to yourself, especially if you travel alone.  If you want to take a bathroom break, it is always a good idea to take your belongings with you.

Not packing accordingly

When it comes to packing, there are two mistakes that you can make, you can either pack too much, or you can underpack. To avoid this, you should plan the type of clothing that you want to take with you depending on the areas that you intend to visit.

For example, when visiting areas such as Kerala or Goa, you can wear pretty much whatever you want. However, in smaller cities and rural areas you should cover up more, as people are more conservative.

Plus, keep in mind that there are many clothing items and accessories that you can buy in India, and, thus, you should not bring from home. For instance, in India, you can find scarves, Ali Baba pants, and sarongs at a budget-friendly price.

One essential thing that you should not ignore is getting travel insurance. There are many insurance packages that you can acquire, depending on your needs and the duration of your visit.

This way, you will be covered in case of an emergency hospital visit. Do not worry, the medical treatments that they provide are of good quality. In other words, you won’t have to pack an endoscope in your bag.

Not getting a VISA

Imagine this: you’ve just arrived in India, you got off the plane and you are forced to go back home because you don’t have the right VISA. You can avoid this situation by simply visiting the India Visa Center for Cox and King website.

Here you can find info regarding the type of VISA that you need as a tourist in India. The process of actually getting the VISA can take some time, so be sure to start the formalities in due time. However, once you get it, the VISA is only valid for six months from that point on, not from the time you actually get to India.

To encourage travelers to visit the country, in 2014, the Indian Government has launched a new program called the eVisa. It can be obtained by travelers from 160 countries of the world. If you plan on staying in India for a short period, you should consider applying for this type of VISA instead.

Renting a car and driving

Traffic in India can be a problem since it is very dense, as you would expect for such a big country but the rules sometimes seem to be mere guidelines and not a universal code that drivers adhere to.

If you are not an experienced driver and want to enjoy your trip to India as you should, we advise you to go for other options such as a radio taxi or if you are a fan of exercise you can choose to explore this beautiful country by kick-scooter and reading this guide will help you choose one that fits you and your needs best.

But there is something special about walking. You can enjoy the sights and take your time exploring the cities, while also have a snack or even learn more about the history. If you don’t want to do all that by yourself, you must know that there are planned tours and some of them are even free of charge.

Fishing in India - Top Destinations to Cast Your Spinning Reel

India is one of the most fascinating countries in the world, with a culture of its own that you cannot truly comprehend unless you walk barefoot on one of its well-known Ashrams, wander the streets of Mumbai, and get to know the locals and their customs. And, while there are thousands of things to do here, not many foreigners truly exploit the fishing potential of this country.

Benefiting from the waters of the Arabian Sea, Laccadive Sea, and the Indian Ocean, the country has a huge fishing potential, providing enough food to feed the poor, and export at the same time. If you’re looking for the adventure of your lifetime, put on your light wool fishing pants and head to one of these picturesque destinations for a fishing trip.

Jim Corbett National Park

Ranking number one in many professional anglers’ tops, the Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936. It is the country’s first national park and one of the most beautiful places you can visit in terms of wildlife in India.

The Ramganga River flows through the park and is home to numerous fish species, including brown trout, golden mahseer, and the goonch catfish. The place is also a great spot for seeing some of the rarest species of tigers in the world, as well as hundreds of species of birds, insects, and flowers.

You will require a fishing license from the Divisional Forest Officer to fish in the waters of the Ramganga River but you can easily get one with the help of your hotel staff.

If you’re an outdoorsy person, you won’t get easily bored in the area, even after you’re done fishing for the day. You can take a jungle safari and watch some of the most majestic wildlife creatures in their natural habitat, visit the historical Corbett Museum or the famous Garjiya Devi Temple. The best time to visit the area is between November and March.

Pabbar Valley, Himachal Pradesh

The river Pabbar is another famous fishing destination you wouldn’t want to miss the next time you visit India. It has created an astonishing valley that can only be reached from two nearby towns, Rohru and Theog.

This secluded location is best known for its fishing spots but you can also enjoy the majestic lofty mountains, visit the nearby temple of Hatkoti or wander through its famous forests of deodar, oak, and apple orchards.

However, the place is mainly known as a fishing destination, so bring your best game to fish for trout, carp or Golden Mahseer. You will require a fishing license for trout and shouldn’t bring anything else but a rod and reel in the trout waters.

You can visit Pabbar Valley anytime between October and April, where temperatures are warm enough and you can enjoy a fulfilling fishing experience.

Bheemeshwari, Karnataka

The fishing camp in Karnataka is known as the Angler’s Paradise as you can fish for the famous mahseer almost all-year-long. The camp is located on the Kaveri river which offers a wide array of outdoor activities apart from fishing.

It is a popular destination for kayaking, zip-lining, and rappelling, so you won’t have too much time to get bored if you choose this area. The camp is also a great place for nature lovers who want to see over 200 bird species, including the grey-headed fish eagle and the pied crested cuckoo. You can even spot sambar deer, jackals, elephants, and even leopards.

Karnataka is a true family destination that offers log huts, cottages, and tents where you can camp, as well as a restaurant, and hammocks for the lazy mornings when you don’t want to wake up early to go fishing. However, bear in mind that you are not allowed to take the fish with you back home. Book your visit anywhere between June to August or September to February for the best outdoor adventure.

Elephant Lake, Munnar, Kerala

The hill station Munnar is a popular tourist destination and a great spot to try out fishing. The lake provides a wide variety of fish, including mackerels, sardines, tuna, and pomfrets.

If you want to enjoy a native fishing experience, ask one of the locals to teach you one of the many fishing techniques used in the area. You’ll be surprised by how inventive fishermen became in order to provide for their families throughout the years.

The best time to visit Elephant Lake is October to March so you can also go for an elephant safari or visit the Tea Museum.