Tag Archives: Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah

Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khana restored

NEW DELHI :

The tomb stands within an ensemble of 16th century medieval monuments in the Nizamuddin area of the national capital

New Delhi: 

The tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khana (1556-1627), popularly known as ‘Rahim — one of Akbars navratnas and a military leader — will open for visitors from December 17 here after completion of restoration work by Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and InterGlobe Foundation.

The tomb stands within an ensemble of 16th century medieval monuments in the Nizamuddin area of the national capital.

The conservation project started in 2014, and included a cultural revival of Rahim’s legacy and poetry.

The Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Prahlad Singh Patel is scheduled to preside over the completion ceremony of Rahim’s Tomb on December 17, Rahim’s birth anniversary.

An expression of Mughal architecture, Rahim’s tomb informed the design for the Taj Mahal. Clad in red sandstone and marble, the interiors of the mausoleum are decorated with ornamental incised plasterwork, and decorative motifs such as the six-sided star and lotus medallions.

It stands at the edge of the buffer zone of the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site, within an area of high archaeological significance.

Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is the custodian of the monument of note.

According to the organisations involved in the conservation effort, the physical revival of the tomb included repairs to the major damaged structures on the interior and exterior of the mausoleum dalans, canopies (chattris), dome, facade and landscape, along with the wall and ceiling surfaces.

The landscape around Rahim’s tomb has been restored to original slopes and height. The conservation of the dome has been completed with a symbolic addition of marble cladding.

“Conservation at Rahim’s tomb has been possible with a public-private partnership. Not only has a significant monument been conserved for posterity but dignity has been restored to the resting place of the cultural icon, Rahim. Conservation in the Indian context can benefit from thousands of years of building craft traditions and recourse to an interdisciplinary scientific approach. 175,000 craft days of work has helped restore this grandeur,” Ratish Nanda, CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture said.

The cultural revival efforts also witnessed compilation of Rahim’s literary works and archival research on his life and works by scholars, culminating in an English publication titled ‘Celebrating Rahim’.

A three-day music festival was also held in 2017 to disseminate Rahim’s literary works that saw a confluence of musical renditions, scholarly discussions on the multifaceted personality of Rahim and an informative exhibition.

The tomb was originally built by Rahim for his wife, making it the first ever Mughal tomb to be built for a woman, with the more celebrated Taj having been built later. As with other tombs in Nizamuddin, Rahim was buried here due the close proximity to the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, as it was considered auspicious to be buried near a saint, said AKTC.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by IANS / December 16th, 2020

Thursday Nights at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Dargah Are All About the Magic of Qawwali

NEW DELHI :

Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi is the dargah of one of the world’s most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya. Although any day is a good time to visit the dargah, the Thursday night qawwalis, steeped in Sufi devotional music and sung in an an electric atmosphere, should not be missed!

Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is renowned all over the country for the unique experience it offers – a chance to hear and enjoy Sufi music up close. The qawwali sessions on Thursday evenings are incredibly popular and people from all walks of life come in huge numbers to be swept up in the magic of the devotional soul-stirring music.

The dargah is located in the Nizamuddin area of Delhi, amidst narrow bylanes and rows and rows of hawkers selling knick-knacks.  It was featured in a number of Bollywood films including Rockstar (2011) , Delhi 6 (2009)  andBajrangi Bhaijaan (2015).

On Thursday nights, as the scent of rose petals mixes with the searing aroma of chargrilled kebabs, traders sell chaddars to devotees and incense holders send plumes into the air. The rest is music, and music only.

The Niazi Nizami Brothers at the Dargah
The Niazi Nizami Brothers at the Dargah

Source: YouTube

True to Sufi tradition, love for God is invoked in terms of romance through the music. The lyrics for qawwalis are usually simple, their meaning clear, and the artistes have plenty of room to improvise. The vocalists sit in the front with the harmonium player, the percussionists and the accompanying singers are at the back – there is a convergence of voices, a combined effort that is enchanting to the senses.

The dargah is named after Sheik Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (1236-1325). His grave and a hospice are situated here.

The saint was believed to be a Sufi mystic and was revered amongst the rich as well as the poor.

Pic: ibb.in
Pic: ibb.in

His teachings, his spirit, his contribution to the world and an unshakeable faith in God are celebrated with regular gatherings of people who pay their respects and hold on steadfastly to a tradition as old as time.

The dargah is visited by thousands of Muslims every week, and sees a fair share of Hindus, Christians and people from other religions too.

Source: Saad Akhtar / Flickr
Source: Saad Akhtar / Flickr

Best time to go: The sessions take place twice every Thursday, once at 4:30 pm and the other at 6:15 pm. Go slightly early to explore and get a good spot! The dargah is open on all days – 6 am to 10 pm.

How to get there: The nearest metro station is Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.

Check out their website for more information.

source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Culture> Delhi> Music / by TBI Team / May 03rd, 2016