Spiritual Travel
Hajj 2024: Pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah after concluding prayers in Arafat
More than 1.8 million Hajj pilgrims from around the world are heading to Muzdalifah after gathering at Mount Arafat on Saturday, where they stood in prayer from noon until sunset on one of the most important days of the Islamic calendar.
The rocky areas of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah are a few kilometres east of Makkah, where pilgrims have been gathering to perform the sacred rite of the Hajj pilgrimage, which culminates with Sunday’s Eid Al Adha holiday.
In Muzdalifah pilgrims will gather pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual that begins on Saturday, which is also the start of the Eid Al Adha feast of sacrifice marked by more than 1.5 billion Muslims globally.
At Arafat, pilgrims combined their noon and afternoon prayers at Masjid Nimrah. At sunset, they combined both the maghrib and night prayers before making the 13-kilometre walk to Muzdalifah.
Throughout Saturday, pilgrims stood in vigil from noon to sunset to offer supplications and seek repentance, from where it is believed Islam’s Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon. The ritual at Arafat is the most sacred day of Hajj and is considered compulsory for a successful pilgrimage.
The Hajj, one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, is among the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims able to do so are required to make the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime.
The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the Hill of Mercy, is often the most memorable for pilgrims, who stand shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet, asking God for mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health. The mount is about 20 kilometres south-east of Makkah.
“Despite the scorching heat, we feel very blessed to have reached this point in our life,” Khalifa Al Hammadi, a pilgrim from the UAE, told The National.
“It feels like we’ve lived all our life to reach this point and all we can do is pray for forgiveness from God Almighty.”
Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings on earth. The rituals officially started on Friday when pilgrims moved from Makkah’s Grand Mosque to Mina, a desert plain just outside the city filled with air-conditioned tents.
Saudi authorities expect the number of pilgrims this year to exceed two million, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
As Muslims around the world mark Eid Al Adha, they do so sombrely with no prospects of a ceasefire in Gaza.
While Palestinians in the coastal enclave were not able to travel to Makkah for Hajj this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May, those who evacuated before the final border closure were able to travel under Saudi Arabia‘s King Salman’s invitation.
“We thank the leadership and the people of Saudi Arabia for this generous initiative to alleviate our suffering by inviting us on this pilgrimage journey. Perhaps this will help us find some solace,” Abdullah Hassan, a Palestinian pilgrim, told The National.
He is one of a group of 1,000 family members of Palestinians who were killed or wounded in Gaza invited to Saudi Arabia by King Salman to perform the Hajj this year.
Under the initiative, 2,000 pilgrims received the king’s invitation.
During the day in Arafat, many of the Muslims will also attend a sermon at the Namirah Mosque. The sermon will be delivered by well-known Saudi cleric Maher Al Muaiqaly, and interpreted in 50 languages.
“The number of languages for interpreting the sermon on the Day of Arafah due Saturday has increased to 50 to impart moderate Islam and promote affinity, fraternity and co-operation among humanity. The interpretations target about 1 billion people across the globe,” said Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais, the head of the Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
After Saturday’s worship in Mount Arafat, pilgrims travel on foot and bus a few kilometres to a site known as Muzdalifah to collect pebbles that they will use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. They are staying overnight in Muzdalifah in the open air until Sunday.
Pilgrims then return to Mina for three days, coinciding with the Eid Al Adha holiday, when Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute meat to poorer people, if they are financially able to do so.
After visiting Mina, the pilgrims return to Makkah for a final circumambulation, known as the Farewell Tawaf.
On Saturday President Sheikh Mohamed inquired about the conditions and wellbeing of UAE pilgrims during their performance of the Hajj rituals in the holy sites, Wam reported.
In a telephone call, Sheikh Mohamed spoke to Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat and head of the UAE Pilgrims’ Affairs Office.
The UAE President praised efforts by Saudi Arabia and the facilities it provides to ensure the comfort of pilgrims, enabling them to perform their rituals with ease, peace of mind and safety, Wam reported.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited, the omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have announced the expansion of their spiritual portfolio across key pilgrimage destinations in India and the subcontinent, catering to both group and customized tours.
Traditionally, Indian spiritual pilgrimages have often been perceived as challenging and uncomfortable —marked by long journeys, limited connectivity and infrastructure. Recognising these challenges, Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel have designed tours by introducing aerial darshans, guided tours, VIP access for darshans and more.
Rooted in the philosophy that ‘India is a Pilgrimage’, the tours have been designed to cater to the spiritual aspirations of a broad spectrum of travellers – from GenS (seniors) who value time-honoured traditions, multi-generational families to millennials and GenZ travellers seeking spirituality as a path to mindfulness, wellness and cultural discovery—seamlessly blending sacred journeys with unique local experiences.
Key highlights:
- A curated portfolio of 11 iconic pilgrimage sites across India’s vast geography, covering temples, shrines and sacred rivers across India and the Indian subcontinent
- Certified local tour experts who offer deep insights into the history and cultural significance of each site, while facilitating seamless access and VIP/escorted darshans at key pilgrimage locations
- Special aartis, pujas and spiritual rituals conducted with accompanying pandits for a personalized spiritual experience
- Pure Vegetarian/Jain meal options to align with travellers’ religious and dietary preferences
- Premium aerial darshans (via helicopters) at select pilgrimage sites for faster, more comfortable access to remote & high-altitude spiritual circuits
Top group tour pilgrimage circuits
- Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath) — The Himalayan spiritual circuit of great reverence via aerial darshans
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — A sacred journey to the abode of Lord Shiva via aerial darshans
- Kashi Prayagraj Ayodhya Bodh Gaya Yatra — Sacred sites along the river Ganga, steeped in mythology and history, rites and rituals.
- Dwarka Somnath Yatra — Gujarat’s twin pilgrimages celebrating Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva
- Tirupati to Trivandrum — South India’s iconic temple circuits for spiritual fulfilment
- Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra — Spiritual wellness on the banks of the Ganges
- Ujjain Omkareshwar to Bhimashankar Grishneshwar Yatra — sacred Shiva circuits in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra
- Kashi to Kathmandu To Muktinath To Janakpur – Bharat Nepāl Mahayātrā covering spiritual landmarks across both nations
- Puri Jagannath Yatra – a cornerstone of India’s Char Dham circuit and key spiritual landmark in Odisha
- Ramayan Yatras Covering India, Sri Lanka and Nepal
- Short Getaways to Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Shirdi, Rishikesh, Mathura, Velankanni, etc.
In addition, we also offer a wide range of customised pilgrimage tours tailored to individual preferences and requirements.
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Spiritual tourism is no longer limited to a season or festival – it has become a year-round experience.
“India’s vast spiritual landscape offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its deep-rooted spiritual ethos, while also immersing themselves in the country’s rich heritage and culture.
“With an intent is to inspire not just seniors and families but also young India’s millennials, working professionals and groups of friends, we have expanded our spiritual tours at key spiritual sites coupled with unique local experiences like river-rafting and kayaking in Rishikesh, paragliding in Vaishno Devi, cuisine trails in Varanasi and Haridwar.
“This initiative strengthens our domestic and spiritual travel segment, offering travellers a meaningful way to connect with the soul of India,” Kale added.
S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited said, “We are witnessing strong demand for our Darshans portfolio, with destinations like Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar ranking among the most sought-after pilgrimage sites.
“There is also significant interest in Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Ujjain. This is gaining momentum not just from India’s metro cities, but also from regional mini-metros and tier 2–3 cities.
“To enhance comfort and convenience, we have introduced premium aerial darshans to select sacred locations via helicopters.
“Furthermore, address the challenges of spiritual travel in India, we’ve curated end-to-end tours that offer our customers assurance and ease—covering transport, accommodation, VIP/escorted darshans, guides and more.
“Our meaningful TravSure assurance programme covers select pilgrimage sites ensuring a safe, smooth and hassle-free experience with comprehensive travel insurance and on-ground support,” Nandakumar added.
Spiritual Travel
Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel deepens focus on Spiritual Tourism Leveraging strong demand with a diverse range of pilgrimages across India & the Subcontinent
Mumbai, August 7, 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have announced the expansion of their spiritual portfolio across key pilgrimage destinations in India and the subcontinent, catering to both group and customized tours.
Traditionally, Indian spiritual pilgrimages have often been perceived as challenging and uncomfortable —marked by long journeys, limited connectivity and infrastructure. Recognising these challenges, Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel have designed tours by introducing aerial darshans, guided tours, VIP access for darshans and more.
Rooted in the philosophy that ‘India is a Pilgrimage’, the tours have been designed to cater to the spiritual aspirations of a broad spectrum of travellers – from GenS (seniors) who value time-honoured traditions, multi-generational families to millennials and GenZ travellers seeking spirituality as a path to mindfulness, wellness and cultural discovery—seamlessly blending sacred journeys with unique local experiences.
Key highlights:
· A curated portfolio of 11 iconic pilgrimage sites across India’s vast geography, covering temples, shrines and sacred rivers across India and the Indian subcontinent
· Certified local tour experts who offer deep insights into the history and cultural significance of each site, while facilitating seamless access and VIP/escorted darshans at key pilgrimage locations
· Special aartis, pujas and spiritual rituals conducted with accompanying pandits for a personalized spiritual experience
· Pure Vegetarian/Jain meal options to align with travellers’ religious and dietary preferences
· Premium aerial darshans (via helicopters) at select pilgrimage sites for faster, more comfortable access to remote & high-altitude spiritual circuits
Top group tour pilgrimage circuits
· Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath) — The Himalayan spiritual circuit of great reverence via aerial darshans
· Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — A sacred journey to the abode of Lord Shiva via aerial darshans
· Kashi Prayagraj Ayodhya Bodh Gaya Yatra — Sacred sites along the river Ganga, steeped in mythology and history, rites and rituals.
· Dwarka Somnath Yatra — Gujarat’s twin pilgrimages celebrating Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva
· Tirupati to Trivandrum — South India’s iconic temple circuits for spiritual fulfilment
· Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra — Spiritual wellness on the banks of the Ganges
· Ujjain Omkareshwar to Bhimashankar Grishneshwar Yatra — sacred Shiva circuits in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra
· Kashi to Kathmandu To Muktinath To Janakpur – Bharat Nepāl Mahayātrā covering spiritual landmarks across both nations
· Puri Jagannath Yatra – a cornerstone of India’s Char Dham circuit and key spiritual landmark in Odisha
· Ramayan Yatras Covering India, Sri Lanka and Nepal
· Short Getaways to Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Shirdi, Rishikesh, Mathura, Velankanni, etc.
In addition, we also offer a wide range of customised pilgrimage tours tailored to individual preferences and requirements.
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Spiritual tourism is no longer limited to a season or festival – it has become a year-round experience. India’s vast spiritual landscape offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its deep-rooted spiritual ethos, while also immersing themselves in the country’s rich heritage and culture. With an intent is to inspire not just seniors and families but also young India’s millennials, working professionals and groups of friends, we have expanded our spiritual tours at key spiritual sites coupled with unique local experiences like river-rafting and kayaking in Rishikesh, paragliding in Vaishno Devi, cuisine trails in Varanasi and Haridwar. This initiative strengthens our domestic and spiritual travel segment, offering travellers a meaningful way to connect with the soul of India.”
Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited said, “We are witnessing strong demand for our Darshans portfolio, with destinations like Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar ranking among the most sought-after pilgrimage sites. There is also significant interest in Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Ujjain. This is gaining momentum not just from India’s metro cities, but also from regional mini-metros and tier 2–3 cities.
To enhance comfort and convenience, we have introduced premium aerial darshans to select sacred locations via helicopters. Furthermore, address the challenges of spiritual travel in India, we’ve curated end-to-end tours that offer our customers assurance and ease—covering transport, accommodation, VIP/escorted darshans, guides and more. Our meaningful TravSure assurance programme covers select pilgrimage sites ensuring a safe, smooth and hassle-free experience with comprehensive travel insurance and on-ground support.”
For further details, click here: Thomas Cook | SOTC
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