A Guide to Planning Your Umrah Pilgrimage From India 2024

There is nothing more fulfilling or rewarding for a devout Muslim than to travel to the house of Allah to perform the sacred pilgrimage of Umrah. It is a remarkable opportunity to seek blessings and forgiveness of sins from the Almighty, enabling them to lead holier, more meaningful lives.

Like from any other part of the world, Muslims from India embark on this divine journey of faith in the thousands each year, hoping for a fresh start. Knowing a bit about how to plan the voyage, what the requirements are, and other travel arrangement intricacies will help Indian Muslims have a blessed experience.

So, before you reserve that Umrah package from India you’ve been desiring, take a quick look at the following guide to ensure a fail-safe trip.

Umrah Guide for Pilgrims from India: Visa, Cost, Flights, Hotels, and More

When is the Best Time for Umrah from India?

Generally, any time outside of the Hajj season is considered apt for Umrah, as crowds are fewer and costs much less. But the perfect time to undertake this holy journey depends on individual travel preferences, budget, and other vital aspects. For a less-crowded time, visit during the more tranquil month of December. There are fewer pilgrims at this time, allowing for a hassle-free trip.

If weather is a deciding factor for you, consider the spring months of February to May, as these are the most pleasant months in the region. Summers are best for families hoping to take advantage of school holidays. Ramadan is a popular time to perform the Umrah, as it is believed the rewards are greater when the rituals are done during this holy Islamic month of fasting.

Umrah Visa Requirements and Validity

It is advisable to reach out to a reliable, efficient, and legitimate booking agency to avail the crucial Visa to embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy land in KSA. Note that pilgrims from India must meet certain criteria to be eligible for an Umrah Visa, as per the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. These include:

• A valid passport - at least 6 months from the date of application
• Confirmed air tickets to and from the Holy land
• Clear photographs with a white background
• Essential vaccination certificates
• Women and children travelling to Makkah must do so along with their husbands or father

Indians can stay for up to 90 days from the date of Visa approval. They can visit any region within Saudi Arabia within this stipulated time frame.

Standard Duration for an Umrah Trip from India

While you can perform the pilgrimage itself in approximately 4 to 6 hours, there are critical holy sites to see in the blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah as part of your journey. To ensure you see everything you desire to on your voyage to Makkah, plan at least a week-long trip.

Many Indian Muslims choose to stay back longer, around 10 to 15 days (or more), as it gives them enough time to indulge in other memorable activities in the region, such as trying the local cuisine and shopping for superior souvenirs like prayer mats, pocket Quran, and other incredible things.

Are All Inclusive Umrah Packages Affordable?

Yes, they are! The best thing about booking all-inclusive Umrah deals is that they combine all your travel elements into a single economical price tag. As such, you can expect to pay upfront for your flights, accommodation, meals, transportation, laundry, and any other service you want included into the package.

Many packages also include Ziyarat tours, making it even more convenient for first-time travellers to Saudi Arabia to know which important holy sites to visit during their stay. These deals help Indian pilgrims budget wisely and prevent overspending, making them better-prepared to handle their finances during the journey.

Places to Perform Ziyarat

When you leave for Umrah from India, remember that visiting holy sites and landmarks in the two blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah is an indispensable part of your journey. You can travel through a reliable agency, enabling them to craft a personalised itinerary that features all the sacred places you wish to visit during your sojourn in Saudi Arabia.

Ziyarat places to visit in Makkah:

• Jannat-Ul-Mu'Alla
• Cave of Hira
• Mina
• Arafat
• Jabal E Rehmat
• Masjid Nimra
• Cave of Sour
• Muzdalifah
• Devil Place
• Masjid Jinn

Ziyarat places to visit in Madinah:

• Masjid E Qiblatain
• Jabal E Uhud
• Masjid E Quba
• Beer E Ghars
• Seven Mosques
• Salman Farsi Dates Farm

You can pick ground transportation and Ziyarat as part of a bespoke package from India customised to meet your specific requirements for a trouble-free time travelling around in Saudi Arabia.

Overall Cost of Umrah from India

The exact cost of your Umrah trip from India will depend on the hotel choice, travel season (off-peak or peak), number of travellers in the group, airline, and more. Nevertheless, when you rely on a dependable and customer-friendly agency, even a 4-star package including flights and featuring the best hotels in Makkah and Madinah can begin upwards of a reasonable amount, such as INR 85,000 (perhaps less!) for a week.

The final price will change depending on the choice of hotel, amenities, package type (such as all-inclusive or standard), Ziyarat, number of air tickets and passengers, and the length of stay.

Key Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Saudi Arabia

It is important that those going for Umrah from India and elsewhere follow a basic sense of decorum and decency when in Saudi Arabia, ensuring a pleasant and trouble-free trip. Here are a top few things to remember:

• Expect large crowds during your trip and prepare yourself likewise; avoid pushing others and causing a ruckus, which may well lead to a stampede.
• Be courteous and respectful toward fellow pilgrims, the locals, and Saudi authorities.
• Ensure culturally sensitive behaviour, and prevent wearing revealing and other inappropriate clothing.
• Avoid getting into disagreements, fights, and other unpleasant behaviour that might cause you to be evicted from your hotel, or even deported from KSA.
• Do not use curse words and other foul language or gestures for any reason whatsoever.
• Enter mosques and other sacred sites with reverence and a humble attitude.
• Watch your children carefully, ensuring they are entertained and well looked after, so they do not cause disturbance to other pilgrims.
• Keep your belongings safe, especially when wading through vast crowds.

 Picking an Umrah Agency

Choosing a legitimate Umrah booking agency in India is paramount, regardless of the city you are travelling from, whether Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, or Mumbai. Check if they have the appropriate licences, competent agents, affordable all-inclusive packages, and other essential details before trusting them with your crucial Islamic voyage.

Additionally, a good agency should be able to personalise any deal of your choice to your liking, ensuring it includes all the essential and add-on elements for an unforgettable spiritual journey.

Ultimately, the experts you trust can largely influence the kind of trip you have. So, pick wisely.