Islamic Pilgrimage Tours – In remembrance of “Allah”
Islam, the term means ‘submission to the will of God’ and the religion means ‘peace, mercy, forgiveness and faith in one God who is above all, who is eternal’. Being the second largest spread religion, Islam is all about having faith in one God and his several messengers or prophets spread the words of the Almighty. These words carry the whole essence of the beautiful world gifted by God, Allah, along with the preaching on how muslims should lead their lives.
There are five pillars that are the most important Muslim practices that draw the ground of the Islamic religion. Shahadah, which means reciting the prayers from the bottom of one’s heart, Salat which is reciting the prayers five times each day, Zakat, which means doing charity to help the poor and needy, Sawm which is fasting during Ramadan and Hajj which is doing the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
India, being a nation that embraces vibrant colors of almost every religion, it is one of the best countries to experience Muslim pilgrimage. Although Mecca, which is located in Saudi Arabia, is regarded as the main pilgrimage site, India also has several pious Muslim destinations. Every year these Muslim pilgrimage sites are thronged with devotees. The best part is that it is not just Muslims who pay homage at these pious places, people from different religious backgrounds come and bow their head down. These destinations offer the visitor a peace they always wanted. Along with this, they also get a chance to connect with the history of Islam, which further enlightens their soul.
Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
On the left bank of Dal Lake lies the most peaceful and holy place of Jammu and Kashmir the Dargah Hazratbal. This shrine holds a very high reputation by all Muslims in India. It took approximately 11 years to complete the Mosque and it is the only domed Mosque in Srinagar. It offers such an enchanting vista of the lake and mountains that it looks so serene. Even the entrance looks spectacular with a view of Nishat Mughal Garden. Hazratbal is an epitome of love and respect for Prophet Muhammad by Muslims.
Ajmer Sharif – The Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti in Ajmer
The Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti is known as Ajmer Sharif and is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It encapsulates the mortal remains of the famous Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The Dargah is a living example of Mughal Architecture and their faith. The daughter of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had established a prayer room especially for the woman followers. This shrine is visited by people of all religions, cast and creed. It is believed that people who visit the shrine and pray with a pure heart and soul often get their wishes granted.
Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai
A mosque constructed on the sea with a thin path bringing the devotees to the Dargah, Haji Ali Dargah is positioned 500 yards into the water. It is located in the southern part of Mumbai in Maharashtra. It was erected by an affluent Muslim merchant who later became a sage namely Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. A beautiful example of Indo-Islamic structural design, it has the tomb of saint Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Many people from different castes and religions visit the Dargah.
Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi
Situated in Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin is the Dargah of Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya. Inside the dargah complex, one can find the tombs of poet Amir Khusro, Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum, and Inayat Khan.
Piran Kaliyar Sharif in Haridwar
Located in the south of Haridwar, Piran Kaliyar is claimed to have a mystical power that fulfills all the wishes of devotees who visit here. Piran Kaliyar is the dargah of the 13th-century saint of the Chishti order, Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari, who was also the successor to Baba Farid , and the first in the Sabiriya branch of Chishti Order. The dargah was built by Ibrahim Lodhi, an Afghan ruler of Delhi.
