First Umrah Guide: Complete Step-by-Step for Indian Pilgrims (2026)

Before You Leave India

Getting Your Saudi Umrah Visa

Your Umrah visa is issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah through approved agents. For Indian pilgrims, the process is entirely online.

Documents required:

• Valid Indian passport (minimum 6 months validity from date of travel)
• Recent passport-size photograph (white background, face clearly visible)
• Confirmed return flight ticket (booking reference is sufficient)
• Hotel confirmation in Makkah
• Meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate
• For women: No Objection Certificate (NOC) from husband/guardian

Processing takes 5–10 business days for standard applications. Express processing (24–48 hours) is available at a higher fee. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure to allow for any corrections.

Booking Your Package

An all-inclusive Umrah package from India covers:

1. Return airfare from your departure city
2. Saudi Umrah visa
3. Makkah hotel (ideally within 500m–1km of Masjid al-Haram)
4. Madinah hotel (near Masjid Nabawi)
5. Airport and intercity transfers
6. Optional guided Ziyarah tours

Hotel proximity matters. Choose a Makkah hotel as close to Masjid al-Haram as your budget allows — walking distance saves enormous time and energy, particularly if you plan to pray multiple times daily at the Haram.

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What to Pack

See our detailed Umrah Packing List for a complete checklist. The essentials:

| Category | Items | |---|---| | Ihram | 2 sets of white unstitched cloth (men), modest loose clothing (women) | | Footwear | Comfortable, non-slip sandals that slip on and off easily | | Documents | Passport, visa copy, vaccination certificate, hotel vouchers, flight tickets | | Health | Prescription medications (with doctor's letter), paracetamol, ORS sachets, hand sanitiser | | Money | Mix of Saudi Riyals cash and an international debit/credit card | | Prayer | Pocket Quran, prayer beads (Tasbih), dua book |

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Entering the State of Ihram

Ihram is the sacred state a pilgrim must enter before performing Umrah. For men, it consists of wearing two seamless white cloths (one wrapped around the waist, one over the shoulder). For women, Ihram is a state of intention — they wear their normal modest clothing.

Steps to Enter Ihram

1. Perform Ghusl (ritual full-body bath) — ideally at home before leaving for the airport
2. Men: Wear the two Ihram garments. Avoid perfume after this point.
3. Make the Niyyah (intention) for Umrah: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah"
4. Begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk la shareeka laka Labbayk, Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la shareeka lak"
5. Enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat. For Indian pilgrims on direct Jeddah flights, the cabin crew will announce the Miqat crossing.

While in Ihram, avoid: cutting hair or nails, using perfume or scented products, sexual relations, hunting, or covering the head (men).

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Arriving in Makkah

Upon reaching your hotel, rest briefly — Umrah is physically demanding and you want to be in good condition. Then proceed to Masjid al-Haram.

Best times to visit the Haram (for first-timers):

• Avoid 12:30–1:30 PM (midday prayer crowds)
• Early morning (2–5 AM) offers the most space for Tawaf
• Weekday mornings are generally quieter than weekends

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Performing Tawaf

Tawaf is the act of circumambulating the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).

Step-by-step

1. Face the Black Stone with your right shoulder toward it. Make intention: "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar"
2. Walk counter-clockwise, keeping the Kaaba to your left
3. At the Yamani Corner (southwest corner), touch it if possible, or gesture toward it
4. Complete 7 circuits. Each circuit ends when you pass the Black Stone line
5. After completing Tawaf, perform 2 Rak'ahs behind or near Maqam Ibrahim (if crowded, anywhere in the Haram)
6. Drink Zamzam water

Tips:

• Stay on the outer edge of the Tawaf area if the inner lanes are very crowded
• Use the Masjid al-Haram app to track which circuit you are on
• If performing Tawaf on upper floors, the Black Stone level is extended via a line on the floor

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Performing Sai

Sai is walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, commemorating Hajar's (Hagar's) search for water for her son Ismail (Ishmael).

Step-by-step

1. After Tawaf, walk to Safa
2. Face the Kaaba direction and make dua
3. Walk toward Marwa — this counts as the 1st lap
4. At Marwa, face toward Safa and make dua, then walk back
5. Complete 7 laps total (Safa→Marwa = 1, Marwa→Safa = 2, and so on, ending at Marwa on lap 7)
6. Men should jog lightly between the two green light markers in the middle section (this is Sunnah)

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Halq or Taqsir — Completing Umrah

After Sai, men must either:

• Halq: Shave the entire head (preferred)
• Taqsir: Trim hair from all parts of the head by at least a fingertip's length

Women perform Taqsir only — they cut approximately a fingertip's length from the ends of their hair.

After Halq/Taqsir, you have exited the state of Ihram. Your Umrah is complete. All previous restrictions are now lifted.

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Visiting Madinah

Most Umrah packages include 3–5 nights in Madinah. The city is approximately 450 km north of Makkah (4.5 hours by coach or 2 hours by Haramain High Speed Railway).

Key visits in Madinah

| Site | Significance | Notes | |---|---|---| | Masjid Nabawi | The Prophet's Mosque | Open 24 hours; the Rawdah requires a Nusuk app permit | | Rawdah | Area between the Prophet's home and pulpit | Apply for permit via the Nusuk app weeks before travel | | Jannat ul-Baqi | Historic Islamic cemetery adjacent to Masjid Nabawi | Open at specific times; modest dress essential | | Masjid Quba | First mosque built in Islam | Sunnah to pray 2 Rak'ahs here | | Masjid al-Qiblatayn | Mosque of Two Qiblas | Guided Ziyarah tours typically include this |

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Tips for Indian Pilgrims

• Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR). Carry a mix of cash and international card.
• SIM card: Purchase a Saudi SIM on arrival at Jeddah airport. Zain, STC, and Mobily all offer pilgrim packages.
• Food: South Asian restaurants are abundant near Masjid al-Haram. Biryani, dosa, and haleem are widely available in the Old City area.
• Weather: Makkah is extremely hot June–September (40–46°C). November–February is most comfortable (18–28°C).
• Safety: Keep passport and documents secure in a money belt. Leave valuables at the hotel safe.
• Groups: If travelling in a group, agree on a meeting point inside the Haram before separating.