Shopping and Packing
It’s time to start preparations for the journey. The preparations required are two fold, first, the religious matters and second the traveling matters. Following is a (non-exhaustive) list of items one should have during this journey. These can be purchased either from local market or Haji camp as convenient. These can also be purchased from Saudi Arabia (except for 1x ahram) but may be expensive as compared to your local market.
- Important Items
| Quantity | Item | Remarks |
| 02 or 03 | Ihram + Belt (for belongings, preferably rexine) |
|
| 1x | Pocket sized book with Hajj procedures and issues | |
| 02 or more | Namaz caps | Not to be used while in ahram |
| 01 | Umbrella | Light weight and normal size but strong |
| 01 | Backpack | 1. Normal size but light weight. This one is for Hajj days (Arafat, mina)
2. Smaller back packs with rope to hang are used to carry stuff and water, these are also provide free of charge in Saudi Arabia by some companies |
| 01 | Mattress + Bedsheets |
For misc. use and for Muzdalifa night. |
| 01 | Prayer Rug | Should be travel prayer rug (light weight, foldable) |
| Crockery | 2-3 plates, spoons, plastic glass + cups and if possible frying pan | |
| 02 -03 | Slippers | For male, ones that keep foot bone exposed (you’ll loose at least one pair so better keep spare slippers) |
| 01 | Handheld fan | |
| Medicines | Properly sealed by Haji camp, keep paracetamol, antibiotics (Augmentin), Anti allergy, rash medicines | |
| 3-4 | Soap + Shampoo | Perfume free |
| Cell phone | 1. Preferable with long life battery or battery bank
2. Smart phones should have offline maps and related apps installed. (SmartHajj is a nice app to have) 3. Use only when required as a phone (Avoid taking pictures inside mosque specially during tawaf) |
|
| 01 | Small bag/pouch | For pebbles in Muzdalifah |
| 01 | Pocket Size Quran | Take special care to keep it away from your slippers (most people use back pack to keep slippers and water bottles) |
| Travel iron | ||
| Kettle | ||
| 4-5 | Normal wearing suits | |
| Misc. | Scissor + Knife + nail cutter + Miswak + Body and Hand towel + Rope + Combs + Safety pins + toilet paper + Band aid |
- Optional (but useful) Items
Following is the list of items which should be available especially if you are planning to keep your budget low (if your airline baggage limit is not crossed). These items will be available very close to your hotel in Harmain but may cost you more.
| Item | Remarks |
| Tea stuff | If you are addicted to tea it’s better to get a kettle, teabags, tea whitener and suger with you (enough for complete journey) |
| Refreshment | Biscuits, cakes, packed chips etc |
| Washing powder | |
| Inflatable pillow | |
| Misc. | Shan Masalas (not required at all, however if you plan to cook, it might come handy), Chat masala (for fruits) |
And last but not the least; don’t forget to label your stuff wherever possible.
hajj guide - blog 