Most Visited Holy Places of Islam in India

Did you know that, after the middle east countries, some of the most visited holy places of Islam are in India, home to different castes and religions. Islam, being the second largest community in India, has many Islamic holy sites in India including, but not limited to, wonderful mosques, religious shrines and Dargahs of great religious significance.

Each Muslim mosque and monument is famous for its intricate architecture, historic significance and pride. Ajmer Sharif, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri and Hazratbal shrine are few names where millions and billions of devotees throng to seek the blessings of saints and prophets.

Here’s looking at some holy places of Islam you can visit in India:

Hazratbal Shrine at Srinagar

Nestled on the western shores of Dal Lake, Hazratbal Shrine is the most important Islamic site in Kashmir. Its pristine white marble beauty is reflected in the waters of the Dal Lake. The main significance of Hazratbal Shrine lies in the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Mohammad.

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That’s the big reason Hazratbal Shrine counted in most religious places of Muslims in India. Other than these occasions, Friday prayers are also offered at Hazratbal and also attended by throngs of people.

Religious Importance of Hazratbal Shrine

Its association with the great Prophet Mohammad is the main reason that authorities allow the devotees to view the relic only once a year. During this occasion, visitors see huge number of pilgrims to this shrine.The festival attracts thousands of pilgrims all around the world irrespective of caste, creed and religion who join the celebration with an open heart and complete devotion.

History of Hazratbal Shrine

The history of the Hazratbal Mosque dates back to the 17th century when Sadiq Khan, a famous Subedar of Shahjahan, laid out a garden at the bank of Dal Lake and constructed a luxurious building by the name of Ishrat Mahal.It was constructed in 1623 and later converted into a prayer house with some minor changes. The Shrine not only attracts people for its glorious heritage but also for its scenic beauty.

How to reach Hazratbal Shrine

Srinagar Airport / Station could be best option to visit this sacred place of Kashmir. There are regular flights Operate between Srinagar to other part of India.

Best Time to Visit Hazratbal Shrine

Pleasant climate of Kashmir always ready for your welcome but according to whether condition we recommend you only April to October. Because in this time you will visit most religious Islamic site of Kashmir without facing any problem like heavy snowfall etc.

Jama Masjid at Delhi

Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India which is located in old Delhi. The carvings made in the mosque make it more exceptional. This Mughal monument is a typical structure with hundred domes & pillars and built in yellow sandstone.

The main specialty of this mosque is that none of the domes are of similar height; each dome is different from others. Easily one of the most significant holy places of Islam in India.

Religious Importance of Jama Masjid

It was customary for the emperor and his courtiers to visit the mosque every Friday for attending ‘Jumme ki Namaz’, the congressional prayer. There is a dress code for certain people visiting the mosque. The head should be covered and everyone should wear a lungi. People should enter barefoot only.

History of Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1650 with the aid of 5000 workers over the period of 6 years. Shah Jahan has also built the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Red Fort which stands opposite to the Jama Masjid.

The mosque has three gates, four towers and two 40 meter high minarets, which are constructed with the strips of red sandstone and white marbles. The mosque has been designed by Ustad Khalil, who was known to be the great sculptor of his time.

How to reach Jama Masjid

In order to reach Jama Masjid, the best way is to board metro and get down at Chawri Bazaar Metro Station. The other options are buses, taxi/coach on rental, auto rickshaw and Delhi Government Tourist Buses.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Jama Masjid on Muslim festivals such as Eid and Ramadan, when Muslim community observes fast.

Ajmer Sharif at Ajmer, Rajasthan

One of the most holy places of Islam in India is the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is believed that no prayer at this Dargah is unanswered. The Dargah is one of the most revered shrines of the Muslims.

It is a famous pilgrimage center where people from different religious backgrounds come to offer prayers. Devotees come here from all over the world to pay their reverences to the holy saint and reflect on Mughal style of architecture.

Religious Importance of Ajmer Sharif

The shrine of Gharib Nawaz Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti is the oldest and biggest Dargah in South Asia. The father and mother of Garib Nawaz belonged to the 13th generation of Imam Hussain and the 9th generation of Imam Hassan.

Therefore, Garib Nawaz was directly related to the Prophet himself. Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti was also known as Garib Nawaz owing to his benevolence and hospitality towards poor.

History of Ajmer Sharif

Ajmer Sharif is the grave of Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Born in Chisti region in Afghanistan, Saint Moinuddin Chishti was above the material and worldly things. In his process to teach mankind the highway of living, he came to India and settled in Ajmer.

There, he attracted large number of followers which also include kings and other people of high rank. In Ajmer, he practiced the Sufi Sulh-e-Kulh that emphasized on Hindu-Muslim unity.

How to reach Ajmer Sharif

It is very easy to reach the popular Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Government run buses are available from every corner of Rajasthan to the Ajmer Central Bus Station.

Best Time to Visit

The Ajmer Sharif Dargah remains open from 5 AM to 9 PM during winters and from 4 AM to 10 PM during summers.

Sheikh Salim Chisti’s Dargah at Fatehpur Sikri

The white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti occupies a prominent position among the holy places of Islam in India. Commissioned by the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar, it is one of the most significant Sufi shrines in the region and considers as a very sacred place among Hindus as well as Muslims.

Every Thursday, thousands of locals visit this shrine to offer their prayer to this great saint. This was built in 1570 and is believed that the childless women here to get the blessings of the saint.

Religious Importance of Sheikh Salim Chisti’s Dargah

The whole atmosphere in and around the Dargah looked divine with hundreds of men & women thronged there for the prayers. Pilgrims, who pray in the Dargah, also offer rose flowers on the tomb. While entering in the Dargah, you are required to cover your head either via cap or piece of cloth.

History of Sheikh Salim Chisti’s Dargah

The Fatehpur City was founded in the Sikri village, by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to honor famous saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. Emperor Akbar came to Sikri in search of the saint to ask for his blessings when all else had failed. The Sufi saint who was Emperor Akbar’s advisor and teacher predicted that the king would father three sons.

The prediction came true, and Akbar’s son Jahangir was named as Salim after the saint, and raised by the Sufi holy man. The saint passed away in 1571. To continue the memory of the saint, Akbar constructed a beautiful mosque in the middle of Sikri complex with its palaces, courts, baths and gardens.

How to reach Sheikh Salim Chisti’s Dargah

The city of Agra is well linked via bus services to other places in the State as well as outside the state and national highways 2, 3 and 11 pass through the city. The state has deluxe and ordinary buses to Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gwalior and Jhansi etc.

For local travel, taxis, tempos, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are also available. For an authentic Indian village experience, do stop at Korai village en-route.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is during the cooler dry weather from November to March.

Char Minar at Hyderabad

Char-Minar a lavish and magnificent landmark that dates back to the glorious days when India was ruled by kings, Charminar which is most famous monument to visit in Hyderabad. The literal meaning of ‘Char Minar’ is ‘Four Towers’ or ‘Mosque of the Four Minarets’. These were apparently created to represent the first four caliphs of Islam respectively.

The mosque is created from granite, mortar and lime and is an unusual mixture of mosque and arc blended together. It is quite an impressive sight to behold amidst the skyline of Hyderabad. So if you are touring to Hyderabad Don’t forgets to visit Char Minar.

Religious Importance of Char Minar Mosque

The religious importance of Char Minar mosque lies in the fact that it was constructed after the prayers of Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah were fulfilled, regarding the suppression of plague. It is indeed interesting to witness the way the present city of Hyderabad has sprung up around the mosque.

It is an important religious emblem attracting commoners and visitors alike from different parts of the country. The mosque has witnessed the growth and prosperity of the city as it changes its form, shape and culture with the rolling of time.

History of Char Minar Mosque

There is a popular tale regarding the creation of Char Minar mosque that it was constructed under the orders of Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah who was the primary ruler of the city at that time.

Upon observing the plight of the common people, he prayed for their well-being hoping for eradication of plague. After the fulfillment of his prayers, he had ordered the construction of this mosque at this place.

How to reach Char Minar Mosque

Char Minar Mosque is located between the states of newly created state Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is nestled on the east bank of Musi River.

Best Time to Visit Char Minar Mosque

Char Minar mosque open from 9 Am to 5:30 Pm every day so now depends on you that which day is best for you to explore this historical & religious site of Hyderabad.

Dargah Qutub Sahib at Mehrauli

Dargah-Qutub-Sahib Located near Gandak ki Baoli in the Mehrauli village, around 400 meters away from the Adham Khan’s tomb, lays the Dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kalki. It is held in high esteem and has been highly regarded for centuries, as he was disciple and spiritual successor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer.

Religious Importance of Dargah Qutub Sahib

The saint was held in high esteem by different rulers and several of them lie buried in the various enclosures around his grave. Some popular people buried here are Bahadur Shah I, Shah Alam II and Akbar II. It is believed that one, who truly believes in the saint, makes a wish by tying a thread near the grave.

History of Dargah Qutub Sahib

Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, also known as Qutub Sahib, is held in high esteem and has been highly regarded for centuries because he was the disciple and spiritual successor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti of Ajmer. He was born is Ush in Persia and came to India in the late 12th century during the reign of the Iltutmish, the ruler of Slave Dynasty.

How to Reach Dargah-Qutub-Sahib

Dargah-Qutub-Sahib is well connected from transporation facility. If you want to visit this Muslim pilgrimage sites of Delhi just catch public transport bus from any region of Delhi Or hire Car, Auto rickshaws etc to reach Dargah-Qutub-Sahib.

Best Time to Visit

It is opened on all days but you will visit between Sunrise to sunset. But if you heart demand for something more just plan in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal which is special month in Islamic calander.

Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai

Haji Ali Dargah is located on an islet in Southern Mumbai. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea, this religious Dargah is amongst the most notable attractions of Mumbai. Thousands of Pilgrims visit Haji Ali irrespective of their religions.

Erected upon the rocks, Haji Ali has the tomb of Muslim Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. And besides the tomb stands a magnificent mosque. The mosque is built in Mughal architecture and is ornamented with minars and dome.

Religious Importance of Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is important because it houses the tomb of a great Muslim Saint Haji Ali. The Saint is known to have given up all his worldly possessions and went to Mecca. His selfless love and services towards the people made him a highly revered personality.

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More than 40,000 pilgrims visit this shrine to offer Chaddar and sincere prayers. During URS (Death anniversary of the saint) and Eid-E-Milad-un-Nabi, special Islamic rituals are performed.

History of Haji Ali Dargah

The saint Haji Ali traveled the world to preach Islamic lessons. He gave up materialism and then headed for the pilgrimage towards Mecca. While he was planning to leave for Mecca, his health fell drastically.

He asked his followers to cast his body in a coffin in the Arabian Sea when he dies. Soon he left the world and his followers did as they were asked. It is said that the coffin stuck on the piles of rocks, and this is where his Dargah stands today.

How to reach Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah and mosque is located in Southern Mumbai. This is one of the most popular attractions of the city. In order to reach Haji Ali, you can hire a taxi or board a bus. However, you will have to walk from the seashore to reach the Dargah; which is not much of a distance.

 Best time to visit Haji Ali Dargah

Any season is the best time to visit Haji Ali, except monsoon; as the tidal waves become unpredictable and the route gets closed.

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Ashish Gupta

Ashish Gupta is a travel writer by profession excels in writing and uses his skills to market holiday destinations in India on indianholiday.com