"A tranquil tribute to a revered saint"
The Nizamuddin’s tomb or Dargah belongs to Nizamuddin Auliya whose name is enlisted in the list of the world's most famous Sufi saints. The Indian subcontinent experiences large following of the Sufi Chishti order of which the famous Sufi is Hazrat Nizamuddin. Having succeeded one of the other widely famous spiritual Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, he was honored with several names like Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Mehboob-e-Ilahi. However, his full name was Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya. Being considered to be the fifth amongst the top five Sufi’s of the Chisti order in India his lifetime ranged between 1238 to April 3, 1325.
The popularity of this Dargah is to the extent that it is being visited by large masses every week and the visitors belong to various different religions including Hindus, Christians etc., apart from the Muslims. This tomb also encloses the tombs of famous poet Amir Khusro as well as Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum. There is also a tomb of Inayat Khan situated at one of its corner.
The main chamber of the Dargah is square in shape and has verandahs enveloped around it that are perforated by arched openings. Lattice screens have been installed in the tombs which have been a favorite of other Muslim architecture as well. This place holds a belief that if someone ties a red thread to the screens, then their wish gets fulfilled. And, after the wish fulfillment, one has to come back and untie any thread, which will lead to wish fulfillment of another devotee who must have tied it. Visitors also engage in offering prayers, showering rose petals, and lighting incense sticks. The best day to visit the Dargah is Thursday as it is on this day special Qawwali performed and also the Dargah is decorated as a bride and adorned with the jewels of lights.
Neighborhood
The significance of this SUFI saint is such that the area around his tomb has been named entirely on him. Following which the neighborhood has been bifurcated into two parts namin Nizamuddin West along the Mathura Road and Nizamuddin East holding the residents of upper-class which is exactly located between Humayun's Tomb and the Nizamuddin Railway Station.
The dargah complex as well as a market widely influenced my muslim vendors lies in the Nizamuddin West. The Humayun's Tomb, Chausath Khamba, Mirza Ghalib's tomb, Barakhamba, Sabz Burj (Blue Gumbad) at the Nizamuddin Circle and Lal Mahal are some of the other historical hot spots located in the legendary area of Nizamuddin.
Two of the very popular Bollywood songs which are composed by A. R. Rahman have been dedicated to the Nizamuddin Auliya. The songs are soft tracks Arziyan, a Qawwali in the film Delhi 6 (2009) and Kun Faya Kun from the movie Rockstar (2011). The Rockstar film also stars Nizami brothers who are the traditional quwwals of Nizamuddin Auliya.
