The dargah (shrine) is the final resting place of of Nizamuddin Auliya and a handful of other famous mystics, including Amir Khusro, the father of qawwali music. While the biggest draw for most tourists is the weekly devotional Sufi qawwali music performance, it's worth taking some time to explore the beautiful shrine, complete with onion domes and latticed screens. It's a popular stop on walking tours and is often combined with a visit to Humayun's Tomb nearby.
Men and women should cover their heads before entering the shrine.
You’ll be expected to remove your shoes before entering; you can leave them with someone at the gate for a small donation.
Arrive early to find somewhere to sit.
Nizamuddin Dargah is located in the busy Nizamuddin West Neighborhood, just across Mathura Road from Humayun's Tomb and about a 15-minute drive from Connaught Place. If traveling by Delhi Metro, take the violet line to the Jangpura station; from here, it's a 20-minute walk or about a 10-minute rickshaw ride to the shrine.
The best time to visit the shrine is on Thursday evenings, when live qawwali music performances are held inside the main tomb, starting around sunset and usually lasting a few hours. However, this is also the most crowded time, with both local community members and throngs of tourists visiting the shrine. If you're in search of quiet, it's best to come early in the morning.
Perhaps the best known of India's Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya was a Sufi of the Chisti Order who was instrumental in teaching Muslims in India about Sufi philosophy and mysticism. He was also the teacher of Amir Khusro, the father of qawwali music, who is buried in an adjacent tomb. Visitors traditionally visit Khusro's tomb first before paying respects to Nizamuddin.
