 |
| Hazarat nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi . www.delhidilli.com |
 |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah, Delhi.mapio.net |
Sufism has been around in India for more than 1,000 years. After the advent of Islam in India in the early 8th century, Sufism became more popular and visible during the 10th and 11th centuries of the Delhi Sultanate. Islam was very much propagated by the several dynasties of Muslim rulers in Delhi who had originally come from Afghanistan, Turkey and Persia.
Classical Sufi scholars have defined Sufism as "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God" Alternatively, in the words of the Darqawi Sufi teacher Ahmad ibn Ajiba, "a science through which one can know how to travel into the presence of the Divine, purify one's inner self from filth, and beautify it with a variety of praiseworthy traits." Sufi thought and approach created a good impact on the presence of Islam in India and ultimately it led to the consolidation of Sufi preachers, merchants and missionaries in coastal Bengal and Gujarat through maritime voyages and trade. No doubt the Sufi teachings of divine spirituality, cosmic harmony, love, and humanity as applicable to common man had considerable acceptance in the society. Sufi culture is well rooted in contemporary India. Sufi tradition teaches humanity and love and the Sufi saints follow the traditions set by their mentors. The Delhi and its neighborhood have innumerable pretty old Muslim monuments that show the influence of Persian or Turkish style of architecture along with the Indian designs.
Nizamuddin Dargah located in the Nizamuddin West area of Delhi is being visited by thousands of Muslims every week. Hindus and Christians do visit this holy place. It is the Dargah (mausoleum) of one of the world's most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya (1238 - 1325 CE), Muslim spiritual preacher who dedicated his life for the benefits of common people. Also on the Dargah premises are the tombs of famous poet Amir Khusro, Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum and Inayat Khan. Humayun's Tomb, Chausath Khamba, Mirza Ghalib's tomb, Barakhamba, Sabz Burj (Blue Gumbad) at the Nizamuddin Circle and Lal Mahal are other monuments in this area and large number of people visit them daily. The main railway station is in Nizamuddin East, a suburb of Delhi.
 |
| the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya . .www.daytripagra.com |
Above image: Situated in Nizamuddin area of Delhi, the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is among the popular Sufi mausoleums in the country.
The great Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya represented the Chisti order of Sufism in Delhi, India and his mausoleum, as it exists today, was built in 1562 by a rich merchant by the name of Faridu'n Khan because way back the original structure of the Sufi saint's tomb was destroyed. The main tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin, an ornate square marble structure with perforated jali screens and architectural features occupies the main part of the tomb and the artistic designs and the ambiance inside the Mausoleum enhance the glory and sanctity of this place of veneration. The lotus cresting on the central dome and black marble inlay works are quite impressive and they were done with meticulous care. This Dargah commemorates the memory of a great Sufi saint who took keen interest in the service of people, thus emphasizing the fact that "service to the needy people is service to the Almighty." This Dargah also goes by the name of Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Nizamuddin.'
Nizamuddin Auliya, a native of Uttar Pradesh came to Delhi along with his mother after his father's death. When he was 20 years old he went to Pakpattan, now in Pakistan and became the disciple of Baba Farid, who before his demise, announced that Nizamuddin would be his successor. Nizamuddin had already gained considerable proficiency in Urdu and was fond of singing Quali music - Muslim devotional songs. His well known disciple was Amir Kushro, Urdu poet of great repute. He liked Amir so much that he expressed his desire to have Amir's body buried after his death in the same place where he would be buried. Since early age Nizamuddin Auliya had developed a passion for Sufism, which is not a religion in the strict sense and it is more than a religion. It is a spiritual revelation that takes the Sufi followers near to the divinity. Among the well known Sufi saints of Chisti order Bakthiyar Kaki, Amir Kushro, et al the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin is widely visited by people of many faiths. Normally people who visit the Ajmir Dargah of Chisti will never fail to visit this Dargah at Delhi
Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nizamuddin_Dargah
.jpeg)
