Nizamuddin Dargah is a hit with DU fuchchas
Delhi University attracts students from across the country every year and as freshers set out to explore the city, Nizamuddin Dargah in Old Delhi seems be their most favourite sight-seeing spot, all thanks to Bollywood. The sufi shrine is where films like Rockstar (2011) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) have been shot and students say that they turn up there because they want to witness the place they have seen in films, first hand. “I am from Ajmer, I have been to Ajmer Sharif Dargah several times so yaha aana to banta hi hai. I believe everyone should visit places like these, once in their lifetime,” says Smita Sharma, who has enrolled in a B.Com (Hons) course in DU.
Even those visiting friends in DU make it a point to visit the dargah. “I am from Karnataka but I am fan of Bollywood. I am visiting my friend who is studying in DU. He and I planned to visit the dargah long before we landed in Delhi. The place is magical. There is a different vibe here and it looks amazing at night. The energetic yet soothing qawwali takes you to an another majestic world,” says Manjunath.
Indeed, the qawwali i a big draw every Thursday, and seniors take upon themselves to initiate freshers into an evening of live sufi music. “Delhi aaye aur dargah na jayein, to kya Delhi aaye. I visit this place every Thursday and I thought of bringing my juniors along. They wanted to hangout and feel the essence of Delhi, and what would be a better place than this?” says Mehul Khan, who was busy taking a selfie, when we met her.
Speaking about the popularity of the dargah among youngsters, Chand Nizami from the gharana Nizami Bandhu, who lives inside the dargah and performs qawwali, says, “I have been living here for more than four decades and everyday, I see people from all religions coming here. Some visit the place to just see how it looks, some for the qawwali and some for the ibadaat (prayers). I have noticed that students in groups are also coming here. They say that they have seen the dargah in movies. I am thankful to Bollywood for promoting this sacred place, specially director Imtiaz Ali. He stayed here for a week during the shoot.”