Indo Islamic Heritage
Nizamuddin Markaz (also known as Bangle Wali Masjid) in South Delhi is well-connected by various modes of transport. The nearest metro station is Jangpura, located approximately 750 meters away, which is about an 11-minute walk. For those traveling by train, the closest suburban railway station is Lajpat Nagar, around 1.4 kilometers away, while the major railway junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin Station (NZM), is about 1.8 kilometers from the Markaz and serves both long-distance and local trains. In terms of bus connectivity, the Lodhi Hotel bus stop is the nearest, just a 5 to 6-minute walk away. Other nearby bus stops include DPS Neela Gumbad, CGO Complex near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and Nizamuddin Extension. For air travel, the closest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), which is roughly 16 to 18 kilometers from the Markaz. It can be conveniently reached in 35 to 45 minutes via the Delhi Metro Airport Express Line by transferring from Jangpura to New Delhi Metro Station.
Nizamuddin Markaz, also known as Banglewali Masjid Markaz, is a prominent Islamic center located in the Nizamuddin West area of New Delhi, India. It serves as the global headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat, a Sunni Islamic missionary movement founded in the 1920s by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi. The Markaz was established as the central hub for this movement, which emphasizes the importance of personal piety, regular prayers, and spreading the teachings of Islam among Muslims through peaceful preaching and missionary work. The mosque gets its name “Banglewali Masjid” from a woman who used to live there and sold bangles, giving the place a distinct historical identity. Situated near the famous Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, the Markaz is not just a place of worship but also a center for religious training, Quranic study, and the organization of missionary groups known as “jamaats.” Thousands of followers from India and abroad visit the Markaz regularly for spiritual learning and to participate in missions that range from three-day outreach programs to forty-day journeys (chillahs). It plays a key role in organizing international congregations and dispatching groups to different regions for religious revival work. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nizamuddin Markaz came under intense scrutiny after it hosted a large religious gathering despite government warnings. The event led to a significant spike in COVID-19 cases, and many attendees, including foreign nationals, tested positive. This incident triggered widespread media attention, legal action, and debates around public health and religious freedom. While the organizers faced criticism and legal challenges, several courts later dismissed cases against many participants due to lack of evidence or procedural errors. Despite the controversy, Nizamuddin Markaz continues to hold religious importance and remains a vital center for the Tablighi Jamaat. Although access to the site has been restricted at times due to administrative orders, the Markaz continues its efforts to restore normal activities and reassert its role as a peaceful, non-political spiritual hub. The center maintains strong connections with other Tablighi Jamaat institutions across the world, such as Raiwind in Pakistan, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Dewsbury in the UK, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of global Islamic missionary work.
Year of Built: 20th Century
Address: 268 A, Basti Hazrat Nizammudin, opposite Markaz Nizamuddin, Nizamuddin, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi, Delhi
Country: India
State: Delhi
District: South Delhi
Pincode: 110013
Longitude: 77.2434
Latitude: 28.5919