Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah - Females Are Not Allowed To Enter The Main Shrine

HAZRAT NIZAMUDDIN DARGAH

AT

DELHI

Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is located in the Nizamuddin West Area of Delhi. It is one of the most popular attractions in Delhi.Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is a famous dargah dedicated to Nizamuddin Auliya (1238 - 1325 CE) who was one of the world's most famous saints of the Sufi Chishti Order. He was a spiritual successor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. 

The dargah was built in 1325, the year the saint died. It was renovated and decorated by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, as well as by later rulers.The present structure was constructed by a nobleman named Faridun Khan in 1562 AD.

The structure consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, which are pierced by arched openings. The dome on top of the tomb is decorated with vertical stripes of black marble and is crowned by a lotus-cresting. This grand tomb has lattice screens, marble arches and courtyards. Devotees tie red threads to these screens with a belief that their wishes would be granted. Inside the tomb, the shrine is covered with scented dark green cloth. Devotees offer prayers, shower rose petals and light incense sticks before the shrines. 

The tombs of poet Amir Khusro and Mughal Princess, daughter of Shah Jahan, Jahan Ara Begum are also located within the Nizamuddin Dargah complex and Inayat Khan's tomb is just around the corner. Jama'at- Khana Masjid was built in 1325 to the west of Hazrat Nizamuddin's tomb. Built with red sandstone, it is the oldest structure in the complex. It consists of three bays and low domes.

 Chini Ka Burj was built during the era of the Lodis. Chini-ka-Burj means tower of tiles. The Tomb of Jahan Ara is located to the south of Hazrat Nizamuddin's tomb. It is simple structure without any roof and covered by earth as per the wish of the princess. Some of the other structures inside the mausoleum complex are the Ataga Khan's Tomb, Chaunsath Khamba, Khan-I-Khanan's Tomb, Lal Mahal and Barakhamba.

The dargah is visited by thousands of Muslims every week, and also attracts large number of Hindus and people from other religions. One can visit the Dargah any day, but every Thursday, special Qawwali programs are organized here. Islamic festivals including Urs and the death anniversary of the Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro are grandly celebrated here. Females are not allowed to enter the main shrine. Visitors need to remove shoes and cover their head before entering the Dargah.

One of Delhi's greatest treats is hearing devout Sufis sing qawwalis, ecstatic devotional Muslim songs with a decidedly toe-tapping quality. Evenings from around 5 to 7, especially Thursday, the followers of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia often gather to sing in front of his dargah (tomb); this is one of the best places to catch a performance

Jama Masjid - It Is A Pride Of Hyderabad And Also Whole Of Telengana

JAMA MASJID

AT

HYDERABAD

The Jama Masjid is situated at a very convenient location of the city and it is surrounded by many other tourist attractions like the Charminar, Golkonda and the Mecca Masjid. The magnificent white towers make a wonderful sight even from a distance. Whether you are a tourist, a history lover or a religious person, you will surely love the place

Hyderabad is the city of historical monuments and royal palaces. It is is the home to some of the old and celebrated religious places in India. The Jama Masjid - Hyderabad is one such great site, which is visited by millions every year. Located near the famous Charminar of the city, the Jama Masjid was built by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah in 1597. The mosque was built after the completion of the construction works of the Charminar. The Jama Masjid in Hyderabad is the oldest mosque of the city and the pride of the whole state of Andhra Pradesh.

The ruins of an old Turkish bathing place adds an archaeological value to the Masjid. Previously a monastery and a school were also the part of the Masjid premises. Everyday during the prayer time and especially during the festive seasons, the Jama Masjid is crowded by numerous Muslims who come here and offer their prayers.

Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah who was the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built Charminar in 1591 shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is today known as Hyderabad. He built this famous and unique structure to commemorate the elimination of a plague epidemic from this city. He is said to have prayed for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a masjid at the very place where he was praying.

By Air

Hyderabad the capital city of Telengana is well connected by air from all the important cities of the country and has recently started with international airport facility.

By Train

Hyderabad has got its own railhead with well equipped facilities and is connected with all the major cities within the state and outside.

By Bus

Regular bus service connect Hyderabad with all the important places within the country. For city transportation city buses, taxis, and auto rickshaws are also available.

Katra Mosque - It Is Famous For Film Shooting Of Bengali Cinemas

KATRA MOSQUE

AT

MURSHIDABAD

Katra Mosque is located 3km to the east of Murshidabad; a historical city located some 200 kms from the capital city of Kolkata. The mosque was built by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan between the years 1723 and 1724 and was an important centre for Islamic learning. The mosque was almost completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1897. 

The word ‘Katra’ means a market and the name was given to the mosque owing to the fact that the place had a large market around the mosque during that time. It is believed that the Katra Mosque was built as a copy of Kartalab Khan's mosque located in Dhaka, built in 1700-1704 AD. The mosque is also the final resting place of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan who lies buried in a tomb under the 14 flight of steps leading to the courtyard. 

The main gate leads to a giant courtyard which was used for reading the Namaz and could hold up to 2000 Namaz readers. Beyond the courtyard is the main mosque. The mosque had a big central dome surrounded by two domes on each side. The central dome and its adjacent ones fell during the earthquake leaving the place in ruins but even then the space under the fallen domes was used as Madarsas (Islamic centres for learning). Each of the domes had three Mihrabs that are semi-circular niches in the wall pointing towards the Kabba in Mecca. 

The Mosque was built on a square plinth and is surrounded by a row of double storied domed cells which could accommodate 700 Quran readers at any given time. The Mosque when built had 4 octagonal minarets 70 feet in height with winding steps leading to the top but two were destroyed in the earthquake. The minarets have small loopholes which were used for musketry against any approaching danger. Even though destroyed, they still have glimpses of magnificence that were once associated with them. 

The mosque has two Persian inscriptions; one above the central mihrab and another over the central entrance in the eastern façade with the former praising Prophet Muhammad and the latter revealing the date of construction as 1137 AH (1724-25 AD).

Nizamat Imambara - It Is Shaped Into Three Large Quadrangles

NIZAMAT IMAMBARA

AT

MURSHIDABAD

The Nizamat Imambara is a Shia Muslim congregation hall in Murshidabad, India. The present Nizamat Imambara was built in 1847 AD by Nawab Nazim Mansur Ali Khan,. It was built after the old Imambara built by Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah was destroyed by the fires of 1842 and 1846. 

This Imambara is the largest one in India and Bengal.ConstructionOld Nizamat ImambaraThe old Nizamat Imambara was built by Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah in the Nizamat Fort Area. He bought bricks and mortar, and laid the foundation of the building with his own hands. However, the old Imambara was primarily made up of wood. 

The plot where this Imambara had been built was dug to a depth of 6 feet. It was refilled with soil which was brought from Mecca so that the poor members of the Muslim community could have an experience of Hajj.DestructionThe old Imambara which caught fire for the first time in 1842 and was partly destroyed. But it was completely destroyed by a fire on 23 December 1846. 

That day the Nawabs along with the Europeans threw a party to celebrate the weaning ceremony of five-year-old Hassan Ali Mirza. The Imambara caught fire at midnight due to the fireworks left off and was completely burnt down. Nothing survived except the old Madina Mosque.

The original Imambara was wooden and went up in flames initially in 1842 and was ruined in part. Subsequently, it was devastated again once an inferno gutted it entirely on December 23, 1846. On that day, the Nawabs together with the Europeans were rejoicing the weaning rituals of Hassan Ali Mirza who was just five years old at that time by a gathering. During the middle of the night, the Imambara was conflagrated as a result of the firecrackers left over and was fully destroyed. Not a single object could be protected other than the Madina Mosque.

The erstwhile Madina Mosque was left in its position where it remained in the previous Imambara. In addition, a new masjid was built inside the newly built Imambara. You can still view the previous Madina Masjid, situated amid the Hazarduari Palace and the Imambara, close to the Clock Tower and the Bacchawali Tope (cannon- 18 foot in length and 16880 pound. In Bengali “Baccha” means baby.

It was believed that the cannon produced such a deafening sound that pregnant ladies gave birth to their babies when the sound reached their ears—hence the name “Bacchawali Tope—tope is hindi for cannon). The place is popularly called as Madina, its previous name. As a result of this, visitors get puzzled between the new and old one. Check out the Nawabs’ pleasure ground Roshni Bagh as well in Dahapara.

Sadeq Ali Khan was the overseer of the new Imambara which was constructed in 1847 AD. The principal gateway is south facing and lies just opposite to the northern side of the Hazarduari Palace. The craftsmen just required eleven months for completing the building since over and above their remuneration, they got food as well which enabled them to labor round-the-clock.

The length of the current Imambara is 680 feet. Nonetheless, the widths differ. The middle portion which houses the Madina has a length of 300 feet. The section was constructed marginally few feet away from the location of the earlier edifice to the north. The Imambara lies on the riverbanks of the Bhagirathi. The difference between the coasts of the river and the western fence of the shrine is just 2-3 feet.

By Air

The nearest airport is NSC Bose Airport, Kolkata. Murshidabad is around 182 km from Kolkata.

By Train

Berhampur Court is the nearest station and is well connected to Kolkata. It takes around 6 hours from Kolkata to Berhampur via rail route.

By Bus

Berhampur and Kolkata are very well-connected to the rest of India via the country’s road network. Buses ply frequently from Kolkata to Murshidabad and Berhampur.

Hazratbal Mosque - Its Perfect White Marble Style Of Mosque Is Looked As A Significance Of Srinagar

HAZRATBAL MOSQUE

AT

SRINAGAR

Hazratbal Mosque is the most important Muslim Religious place, situated on the western shore of Dal Lake.  Its perfect white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake.

Hazratbal's special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people.

Hazratbal is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar; the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine – mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the Dal Lake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond.

The history of the shrine goes back to the early seventeenth century when the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan's Subedar, Sadiq Khan, laid out a garden here & constructed a palatial building, Ishrat Mahal or Pleasure House in 1623. However, the Emperor, during his visit in 1634, ordered the building to be converted into a prayer House with some additions & alterations.

During the time of Aurangzeb, when Moi-e-Muqqadus (The Holy Relic) arrived in Kashmir in 1699, it was first kept in the shrine of Naqashbad Sahib in the heart of the city. Since the place was found to be insufficient in view of the unprecedented rush of people who thronged the place to have a glimpse of the Moi-e-Muqqades, it was decided to shift the it to Hazratbal, then known as Sadiqabad.

The construction of the present marble structure was started by the Muslim Auqaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1968 and completed in 1979. The "Moi-e-Muqqadas" (Holy Relic of Prophet Mohammad S.A.W) is displayed on Various occasions related with the life of Prophet & his four holy companions.

The Moi-e-Muqqadus (Holy Relic of Prophet p.b.u.h) is usually on public display inside a glass casket on certain sacred and holy days. Tours and travel to the Hazratbal shrine gives you an opportunity to participate in the colorful and vibrant fairs that are held at Hazratbal every year, the most important among these is the Shab-e-Meraj.

Hazratbal lies in Srinagar and the nearest Airport is approx. 25 Km away. This Airport is connected with major cities of India. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300 Kms away and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on this Highway. It Takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountainous road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with India. Regular transport is available from various points in the Srinagar city with nominal charges. Route from Dal Lake can also be undertaken.