Accommodation in Makkah

      All the accommodation is hired as per the norms laid down by the Haj Committee of India in consultation with the Government of India and as per regulations of the Government of the Saudi Arabia. The hiring is done through an elaborate procedure involving member of the State Haj Committees, Central Haj Committee and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah. The pilgrims should therefore feel reassured that the accommodation is in strict accordance with the norms and procedures. As such every pilgrim get 3.5 sq meter which is actually quite less but this can not be changed as more that 2 million pilgrims come and stay in limited space of  Makkah and thus the Saudi Government has made these norm. Till last year the space norm was 3.0 sq meters per pilgrim which has increased to 3.5 sq meter this year so the pilgrims visiting this year would surely have more comfortable stay.

      All the pilgrims would have to share the bathroom and kitchen facilities that they should do in the spirit of brotherhood and adjustment. A little patience on part of pilgrims can solve a lot of hassles and problems. It is therefore very important to emphasize this.

      All the pilgrims are provided with metal frame beds in the rooms along with mattresses, pillows and bed sheets. Beds are enough to keep some luggage under it however hoarding of lot of stuff should be discouraged as the space in the rooms is limited.  Each bathroom would have a bucket, a mug and provision for the hot water.

Pilgrims should try to go out of the building much before the prayer time as exactly at prayer time they will find a lot of rush for the lift in which case they may even miss prayers. Overcrowding of lifts results in break-downs and can cause accidents. In case a lift breaks down every effort will be made to repair it forthwith. However it may kindly be understood that during peak periods the demand for lift technicians and the traffic conditions in Makkah may lead to some inadvertent delay.

       Pilgrims should avoid wasting water or using too much water. During the peak Haj period if water finishes in a building due to excessive use, water tankers cannot bring water due to restrictions on movement. For washing of clothes, utensils, bathing and cooking purposes, economising on the use of water is essential. If there are leaking taps or toilets, pilgrims must immediately bring this to the notice of the caretaker of the building (Haaris) and the building supervisor deputed by the Consulate. Most buildings in Makkah have western style commodes. It is essential that pilgrims are in advance acquainted with their use.

      Pilgrims must not allow visitors inside buildings or rooms. They should be met outside the building. Friends, relatives and extra persons are not to be kept in rooms. The rooms should not be cluttered with excess baggage since space is at a premium.

      Every day each building will be visited by a building supervisor who will check with the Haaris about any problems that need rectification. Pilgrims can either inform the Haaris about problems they confront or record a complaint in the Complaint Register kept in their own building for this purpose. Complaints can also be lodged with the branch office of the Indian Haj Mission which is overseeing their building. Map of the branch office and the telephone number are available on the ground floor of every building.

        As regards food in Makkah, there are many restaurants and eating places which sell cheap food including roti, rice, dal,  vegetables and chicken at nominal prices. Roti or bread are very cheap and fruits are also available in plenty. Given the foreign exchange component given to our pilgrims, it is very much affordable and perhaps cheaper if pilgrims make arrangements and eat in groups. The suggestion is that for breakfast they can have fresh fruits, bread, eggs and milk or fruit juices and for lunch and dinner they can have normal meals with rice, roti, vegetables and non-vegetarian dishes. 

        It is good to drink  plenty of water during the course of the day. The zam-zam water is available free of cost all around the Haram Sharief. At other places water can be bought. Besides, Maktabul Zamazima delivers zam zam to pilgrims @1litre per pilgrim in their buildings after 10^th Zul Qada.

The kitchen space in the buildings is limited and adjustments for cooking timings will need to be made. It is not possible for all pilgrims to cook their food as they do back home in India.  Electric cookers cannot be used in the rooms for fear of fire. Kerosene stoves as well as gas stoves can be used in kitchens. However, pilgrims have to pay for the refill of gas cylinders.  

All the pilgrims should also read the various instructions and advices pasted by the Indian Haj Mission or the Moallims. These are usually pasted at the prominent places in the buildings.