Nizamuddin Dargah

Overview

The marble-and-lattice shrine of the 14th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, one of the most significant Sufi sites in South Asia. Qawwali devotional singing sessions take place every Thursday evening in the courtyard.

Highlights

• Thursday Qawwali: Ecstatic Sufi devotional music performed live in the candlelit courtyard after Maghrib prayers.
• Tomb Chamber: An intricately latticed inner sanctum draped in rose petals and chadar offerings.
• Adjacent Tombs: The graves of poet Amir Khusrau and Mughal princess Jahanara Begum lie in the same compound.

History

Nizamuddin Auliya (1238–1325) established his khanqah here, making it a center of the Chishti Sufi order. The current dargah structure dates from various periods between the 14th and 19th centuries and draws pilgrims of all faiths.

Visitor Tips

• Thursday evening: Arrive by 6 PM for the best qawwali experience.
• Dress modestly: Cover head and shoulders; scarves sold at stalls nearby.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.