Have a Pleasant Weather While Performing Umrah in December

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

An Islamic pilgrimage performed by Muslims from various corners of the globe, Umrah is also known as the 'lesser pilgrimage' or the 'minor pilgrimage'. It involves visiting the holy city of Makkah located in Saudi Arabia from their place of residence. This pilgrimage is not mandatory when compared to the major pilgrimage of Hajj, but it an opportunity for Muslims to benefit spiritually from their journey to the holy Kaabah. This pilgrimage can be performed at any time of the year and this gives prospective pilgrims the option to choose any of the months or seasons to accomplish their dream of performing the lesser pilgrimage.

Performing Umrah in December is preferred mostly by Muslims living in countries located in the northern parts of the European continent. The last week is especially popular owing to the week-long holiday that almost all the people enjoy in several countries, such as the United Kingdom. Almost all the offices and educational institutions are closed during this time of the year, giving the chance for Muslims residing in these countries to accomplish their Umrah. They can also choose to take other members in the family along with them for performing the lesser pilgrimage.

Many of the travel companies or tour operators in these countries specialising in the Islamic religious tours often come up with special offers on packages for this month. They can offer discounted costs on such packages owing to the tie-ups that they have with some of the best hotels in Makkah. Some of the 5-star packages that they offer include accommodations in hotels that are located close to the Masjid al-Haram. Although the 5-star packages are costlier, they would give pilgrims great convenience in getting to the holy mosque and performing all the rituals with complete peace of mind.

One of the greatest benefits of performing Umrah during this time of the year is the pleasant climate that the pilgrims get to enjoy in the holy city of Makkah. This is especially true in case of those arriving in this city from countries of Norther Europe, which experience a harsh winter climate in this month with freezing temperatures. By embarking on their sacred journey to Makkah, Muslims residing in these countries get the chance to escape the chilly weather of their home countries. Their stay in Makkah in the presence of a pleasant weather would also make their time spent in the holy city pleasant and memorable.

It is always a good idea for the prospective pilgrims to book their desired package well in advance for performing their Umrah in this month. However, they must decide their date of departure and the number of days they are willing to spend in Makkah much before they begin their search for packages. Once the dates are decided several months in advance, they can choose a package and book it without any delays to get a considerable amount of discount. The savings that they make while booking the package of their choice at a discount can be utilised during their stay in the holy city.