Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya
The Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is one of the most revered Sufi shrines in India, located in the Nizamuddin West area of Delhi. As the final resting place of the 13th-century Chishti saint Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325 CE), this sacred site has remained a timeless center of spiritual guidance, communal harmony, and cultural convergence for over 700 years.
The Saint: Nizamuddin Auliya
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was born in 1238 in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, into a Syed family with ancestral descent from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). On July 25, 1257, he embarked on a transformative pilgrimage to Ajodhan, traveling nearly 500 kilometers to seek guidance from the venerable Sufi Master Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar, who immediately recognized his exceptional spiritual potential and accepted him as a disciple. As the fourth spiritual successor in the Chishti Order in the Indian subcontinent, he established his khanqah (Sufi lodge) in Delhi around 1270 CE, where it became a center for spiritual learning and service.
His teachings emphasized that the path to Allah lay through service to humanity, and his philosophy of love, tolerance, and philanthropy attracted followers from all strata of society. For over six decades, his hospice served as a sanctuary for spiritual seekers, the oppressed, and the marginalized. The saint passed away in 1325 (some sources cite 1324 CE) during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Architecture and Structure
The main mausoleum structure was built by Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1325, following Nizamuddin’s death. Firuz Shah Tughlaq later repaired the structure and suspended four golden cups from the dome’s recesses. The present dome, approximately 6 meters in diameter, was built by Faridun Khan in 1562.
The dargah consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, which are pierced by arched openings, while its roof is surmounted by a dome springing from an octagonal drum. The dome features a white exterior ornamented by vertical stripes of black marble and is crowned by lotus-cresting. The tomb itself is surrounded by a marble patio and covered with intricate jalis (trellis walls), while the complex also includes a wazookhana (ablution area).
As you approach the dargah, you are greeted by a beautiful gateway adorned with intricate lattice work and Persian calligraphy. The complex also houses the tomb of Nizamuddin Auliya’s beloved disciple, the legendary poet Amir Khusrau, as well as the graves of Jahanara Begum and Mohammed Shah, all of which are listed as Monuments of National Importance.
Spiritual Practices and Traditions
The dargah is renowned for its evening qawwali devotional music sessions, with special performances held every Thursday night attracting approximately 1,500 visitors. Regular qawwalis occur every evening after the Maghrib prayer, performed by multiple intergenerational darbari qawwals. The dargah also organizes a daily langar (community kitchen), continuing the saint’s tradition of service to humanity.
Hundreds of devotees visit the dargah every day throughout the year to pray and pay their respects, with millions of devoted pilgrims visiting annually from around the world. The shrine symbolizes the saint’s legacy of unity, compassion, love, peace, and humanity.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya’s vision of the world was marked by a highly evolved sense of religious pluralism and kindness. His influence on the Muslims of Delhi was so profound that 14th-century historiographer Ziauddin Barani claimed it effected a paradigm shift in their outlook towards worldly matters, inclining people towards mysticism, prayers, and spiritual contemplation. The dargah has remained an important site of historical memory, intellectual discourse, and India’s syncretic tradition for centuries.
The khanqah continues to serve as the primary source for Sufi learnings, practices, teachings, spiritual guidance, and treatments, spreading the light of guidance and satisfaction to souls, minds, and hearts. It stands as a testament to the enduring message that love of God implies love of humanity, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking to understand Delhi’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Mehboob-e-Ilahi Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (R.A)
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was born in 1238 CE in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh into a Syed family claiming descent from Imam Ali. His father died when he was five, leaving the family in such poverty that he later said: 'We have not seen two meals on the same day until Allah granted us the company of dervishes.' At age 20, he traveled to Ajodhan (Pakistan) barefoot to become murid of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganjshakar. His spiritual training was severe - Baba Farid once ordered him to perform chillah (40-day retreat) hanging upside down in a well. After receiving khilafat in 1257 CE, he walked to Delhi and established his khanqah in Ghiyaspur (later named Nizamuddin). He lived through seven sultanates but never visited royal courts, maintaining strict poverty. His kitchen fed thousands daily. He trained 700+ khalifas including Amir Khusro. He predicted his death and passed away reciting Quran on 18 Rabi al-Thani 725 AH. Emperor Akbar later renovated his shrine.
Adab (Etiquette):
Enter from southern gate with right foot, reciting Bismillah. Cover head with cap or cloth. Offer red roses or rose ittar at the entrance. Recite Surah Fatiha (1x), Surah Ikhlas (3x), and Durood Sharif (11x). Visit Amir Khusro tomb first as adab. Do not turn back to tomb when leaving - walk backward three steps then turn. Women must cover heads; men encouraged. Thursday evenings have special qawwali from 6:30-9:00 PM.
His central teaching was ISHQ-E-HAQIQI (Divine Love). He famously stated: 'The Wilayat of a lover is greater than that of a scholar because the scholar is occupied with creation while the lover is occupied with the Creator.' Five core teachings: (1) Ishq as the path - 'When the lion walks, why follow the foxes?' (2) Khidmat-e-khalq (service to creation) - his kitchen never closed. (3) Sama (spiritual music) as legitimate worship - established Thursday qawwali. (4) Sulh-i-kul (peace with all) - disciples were Hindu and Muslim. (5) Faqr (spiritual poverty) - refused royal patronage saying: 'One should be fanafillah while living in the world.' He taught murids to see the Beloved in every face and remain in perpetual dhikr.
(1) The Qutb Incident: He fed a starving man who turned out to be the Qutb-ul-Aqtab (spiritual pole of the age), who declared: 'This young man is the Beloved of God (Mehboob-e-Ilahi).' (2) Yamuna Miracle: When flood waters threatened his khanqah, he struck the river with his staff saying 'Stand back!' - the waters receded and never crossed that boundary again. (3) Kashf (Unveiling): He regularly knew visitors' inner thoughts. Once he told a man his three hidden sins before the man spoke. (4) Post-death: During 1857 Mutiny, British soldiers fired on shrine but guns jammed mysteriously; several later became devotees. (5) Healing miracles continue - barren women conceive, chronic illnesses vanish, especially on Thursdays.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) → Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A) → Hasan Basri → Abdul Wahid → Fuzayl ibn Ayaz → Ibrahim Adham → Abu Bakr Shibli → Ahmad Ghazali → Abu Najib Suhrawardi → Shihabuddin Suhrawardi → Baha-ud-Din Zakariya → Jalaluddin Surkhposh → Ghulam Jilani → Baba Farid Ganjshakar → Nizamuddin Auliya
Did not author books (oral tradition). Discourses compiled as: 'Rahat-ul-Qulub' (Comfort of Hearts) - malfuzat compiled by Amir Khusro; 'Fawaid-ul-Fuad' (Benefits of the Heart) - conversations; Poetry in Persian and Hindavi including the famous 'Aaj Rung Hai'.
Amir Khusro (poet-saint), Shaikh Nasiruddin Chirag-e-Delhi (khalifa), Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz (khalifa), Jahanara Begum (Mughal princess, murid), Baba Farid's son
- Address
- The dargah is located at Boali Gate Road, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi - 110013, opposite The Lodhi hotel area.
- Best Time to Visit
- The ideal time to visit Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is during the cooler months from October to March, when the weather is pleasant with minimal rainfall and lower humidity levels. Winter temperatures range from 8°C to 28°C, making it comfortable for visitors to explore and participate in spiritual activities
- Opening Hours
- The shrine is open daily from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Nearest Airport
- The Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is located approximately 20 kilometers from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi,
- Nearest Railway
- Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station is the most convenient rail terminus, located just 1-2 kilometers from the dargah. New Delhi Railway Station is located approximately 7-8 kilometers from the dargah. 3rd Old Delhi Railway Station (also known as Delhi Junction) is located approximately 9 kilometers from the dargah.
Who is the saint at Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya?
The shrine is dedicated to Mehboob-e-Ilahi Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (R.A), associated with the Chishti Order (Nizami branch) order.
When is the best time to visit?
The ideal time to visit Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is during the cooler months from October to March, when the weather is pleasant with minimal rainfall and lower humidity levels. Winter temperatures range from 8°C to 28°C, making it comfortable for visitors to explore and participate in spiritual activities
How do I reach the shrine?
It is located in Delhi. The nearest airport is The Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is located approximately 20 kilometers from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi,. The nearest railway station is Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station is the most convenient rail terminus, located just 1-2 kilometers from the dargah. New Delhi Railway Station is located approximately 7-8 kilometers from the dargah. 3rd Old Delhi Railway Station (also known as Delhi Junction) is located approximately 9 kilometers from the dargah..