For Muslims Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah is the moot important shrine in India, next only to Chishtiyya Shrine in Ajmer. The shrine attracts thousands of Muslims and Hindus everyday. A visit to this place makes for a unique experience - the frenzy and the passion of the visiting mystics and holy men is palpable. This place is rich in history; it is surrounded by scores of smaller tombs of saints and mosques. Amir Khusrau, a poet and the saint's beloved disciple is also buried over here. This locality, known as the Nizamuddin 'Basti', is dotted with several monuments, most of which have been encroached upon. The area however, remains a fascinating place to explore, as it seems to belong to another century altogether.

Muhammad Tughluq built this tomb and to this day, the place is one of the sacred places of pilgrimage. The complex of the shrine also contains several tombs including the tomb of Shah Jahan's beautiful daughter, Jahan Ara Begum and of noted poet Mirza Ghalib.

Nizamudin Auliya, a Sufi Shaikh of the Chishtiyya order, lived the latter part of his life during the reign of the brutal Sultan Muhammad ibn Tughluq (1325-1351), whom he infuriated by refusing to acknowledge his authority, using a Persian expression which has become a byword in India "Hanuz Dilli dur ast" (Delhi is yet far away).

To the west of Hazrat Nizamu'd-Din's tomb lays the rectangular Jama 'at-Khana-Masjid, veneered with red sandstone. On the western wall of the baoli, a mosque called Chini-ka-Burj consists of three compartments, each with an arched opening. To the south of Shaikh Nizamu'd-Din's tomb is situated the unroofed enclosure with perforated marble screens containing the grave of Jahanara, Shah Jahan's elder daughter. The tomb of Muhammad Shah (1719-48) also lies within a small enclosure similar to Jahanara's tomb. Mirza Jahangir, the eldest son of Akbar II (1806-37), also lies buried in an enclosure here.

This place is not just a pilgrimage site but is also a very popular tourist attraction, especially on Thursday when Sufi musicians perform musical odes from about 6.00 to 7.30pm in the honor of Hazrat Nizamuddin. Nizamuddin is a Muslim enclave in south Delhi, near the railway station of the same name. Once you enter its narrow alleys (where you can get superb kebabs and other Muslim dishes) just follow the stream of people heading for the shrine, which lies down several long and twisting passage-ways.

Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah