Qadian
Qadian (Punjabi (Gurmukhi): ਕਾਦੀਆਂ, Hindi: कादियां; also known as in Urdu: قادیان دارالامان, Qadian Dar-ul-Aman) is in Gurdaspur, a district in the Punjab, India. It is the birthplace of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The history of Ahmadiyyat is a major part of town and is deemed to be holy by Ahmadis all over the world.
Understand
Demographics
Though this town has a major connection to the Ahmadiyya Community, most of its residents are non-Muslim: 52% being Hindus, 31% Sikhs and 13% Muslims.
Talk
The major tongue of the populace is Punjabi, though it is not rare to hear Urdu being spoken or see Urdu signs across the town, especially in the Ahmadiyya neighbourhood. Most people in the town can also fluently speak Hindi and understand English.
Get in
Tourists and pilgrims usually visit Qadian during December, when the annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Community, the Jalsa Salana (Urdu: جلسہ سالانہ), is often held.
By rail
- See also: Rail travel in India
Pilgrims from Pakistan tend to cross over the Wagah border and use the railway station to get to Qadian from Amritsar, though during notable occasions a direct bus line is also provided.
- 1 Qadian Railway Station (IR station code : QDN), Railway Rd, Partap Nagar. A line runs from Amritsar and ends at Qadian.
| Train Number | Train Name | You may board at | You may alight at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 74691 | DEMU Express Special | Batala, Jaintiupura, Kathunangal, Verka | Amritsar (60 km) |
By plane
The nearest airport to Qadian is the Amritsar International airport. Due to the distance, another mode of transport will be required to reach Qadian, though it makes the town accessible from international destinations:
- 1 Raja Sansi International Airport (Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport ATQ IATA) (About 11 km northwest from the city centre.), ☏ +91 183 2214166, fax: +91 183 2214358, apdasr@aai.aero. A modern airport in the heart of Punjab. It is approximately 70 kilometres from Qadian, and most flights are usually from and to Delhi although the airport also has traffic from international destinations, such as Doha (Qatar), Sharjah (UAE), Birmingham and London (UK).
By taxi
See
Mosques, and major monuments
- 1 Darul Masih (Abode of the Messiah). The residence of the founder of Ahmadiyya, which comprises of the rooms with historical significance, such as the room where he was born, all in the original structure of the time.
- 2 Mubarak Mosque (The Blessed Mosque). The first Ahmadi mosque in history who's foundation, is believed to, have been laid after divine guidance. The mosque also has other several parts such as Bait-ul Fikr, Bait-ud-Dua as well as Gol Kamra each with their significance.
- 3 Aqsa Mosque (Masjid-e-Aqsa Qadian). Built by the father of the founder of Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza in 1876, and expanded multiple times to increase its capacity, now at 15,000, a mosque where the tradition of Jalsa Salana originates.
- 4 White Minaret (Minaret-ul-Masih). Known as the Minaret of the Messiah, the White Minaret is believed to signify the second coming of the Messiah in the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, as per a prophecy. It is located inside of Aqsa Mosque.
Museums
- 5 An-Noor Exhibition (Kothi Dar-us-Salam). Located inside of Kothi Darus Salam after, the abode of the first caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, after being renovated and turned into the an-Noor exhibition centre
- 6 The Holy Qur'an Exhibition (al-Qur'an numaish). Exhibition centered around the holy book of Islam.
- 7 Makhzan-e-Tasaweer Exhibition (next to the Holy Quran Exhibition). A gallery of the archives of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Do
Parks
- 1 The Heavenly Gardens (Bahishti Maqbara). Located in the Qadian Park with historical monuments to see and discover, such as Makaan Hazrat Amma Jaan. It is also the burial site of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community and his companions and other spiritual beings, established after receiving revelations of his demise.
Buy
Sleep and Eat
- 1 Dar-ul-Ziafat (Langar Khana), Langar Khana Rd, Ahmadiyya Mohalla, Qadian. Cares for visitors and seekers after truth, both Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis, who come to Qadian, where adequate arrangements are made for board and lodging. Also has a Langar Khana where food is provided to guests.