Najaf's City of the Dead: Ankita Kumar's Haunting Adventure

Ankita Kumar, well-known for her insightful travel documentaries, takes us deep into one of the most surreal and sacred places on Earth, ie, Wadi Us-Salam in Najaf, Iraq. Translating it to the “Valley of Peace,” this cemetery is highly believed to be the largest graveyard in the world, both in size and the number of burials.

Spanning over 1,400 acres, Wadi Us-Salam holds over 8 million bodies, with some locals claiming that the actual count exceeds over 22 million. Burials here happen in every five minutes, totaling to around 200 per day and adding nearly 50,000 new graves annually for more than 1,400 years.

Why This Place Is So Sacred-

Wadi Us-Salam is not just a normal cemetery, it's a strong spiritual site for the Shiite Muslims. Many Shiites across the world wish to be buried here because they usually believe those interred will rise on the Judgment Day alongside the Imam Ali, the first Shia Imam.

Burial costs depend significantly, from about $30 to $2,700, depending on the plot's proximity to the sacred landmarks and also the ease of access.

The Crisis of Space-

Since the 2014 conflict with the ISIS, grave plots are now becoming much scarcer due to high casualties and the continuous influx of the bodies. This sacred land, despite its vastness, is unfortunately running out of room.

Ankita's Viewpoint-

Standing among the tombstones that stretch much endlessly, Ankita calls it the “City of Death”, a very haunting and profoundly peaceful experience.

Her storytelling not only depicts the cultural and religious significance of this majestic site but also raises the awareness about the rational and emotional challenges faced by those who wish to be peacefully buried there.

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