The Sacred Cellar of Samarra and the Habitudes of its Pilgrimage

The Shias of twelve Imams (a.s) believe in Hazrat Hujjat ibn Al-Hasan (a.s) as their twelfth leader who is hidden from the eyes while they are bound to establish a spiritual and affectionate relationship with him. One of the ways to establish such a spiritual relationship with the Imam of the times (a.s) is being present in the places which are related with him; most of these places which are concerned with him, are present on the land of Iraq. Some of these sites are the permanent places of pilgrimage, which have their own specific buildings, being present in which results in more and deeper relationship with the Imam of the times (a.s).
The Cellar of Samarra’, which is also called as the Cellar of Occultation, is one of the places in which Shias believe that the Major Occultation started from that places. The cellar which is present nearby the holy shrine of Imamayn Askariyain (a.s), now, is actually the house of Imam Hadi (a.s) which was built underground and which was constructed in three sections and there is the well of occultation present in its one corners.
There are the specific acts and prayers narrated in the books of prayers for this holy cellar like the Izn-e-Dukhool (the prayer of seeking permission to enter), Namaz-e-Ziyarah (the pilgrimage prayer) and Wudaa` (the farewell) whereas Shias pray for health and appearance of the Imam of the times (a.s) while performing these acts.
This article comprises a brief history, the description of the cause of appellation, the habitudes and the specific acts of sacred cellar of Samarra’.