Jama Masjid: The Largest Mosque in India

Colossal, surreal and elegant, the bewitching grandeur of Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India is a saga in itself. One of the important historic tourist destinations in Old Delhi, it is called the final magnum opus of exquisite architectural endeavour during the era of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, also famous for constructing Taj Mahal.

Experiencing the infectious hustle and bustle of Old Delhi, the very sacred touch of the steps leading to the spacious courtyard of this Friday congregational mosque, endows peace in your soul. Constructed in between 1644 and 1658, it is located opposite to the Red Fort.

Capable of accommodating 25,000 devotees in its courtyard, it was constructed by 5000 artisans. Several old relics are safely preserved in a closest in the North Gate. The antique copy of Quran embossed on deer’s skin is one of them. Other remnants include red beard-hair, sandals and footmark of Prophet Mohammad.

The Jama Masjid has two towering 41m high minarets, four towers and three gateways. It has seven domes, with each having a tower in its middle.

Do not miss to climb the narrow southern minaret for an extra charge for having an incredibly ethereal view of Lutyens Delhi in your Jama Masjid Travel plans. You can see the Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House), Connaught Palace and Jama Masjid in a straight line from the top.

Following are the main tourist attractions of Jama Masjid:

Gates
Entwined with three gates-eastern, southern and northern. General public can enter the courtyard through Southern Gates which has 33 steps. The Northern Gate includes 39 steps and is meant for nobles. The use of Eastern Gate was formally reserved only for the Mughals.

Main Prayer Hall
It is made of marble domes and high cusped arches. An ablution tank made of marble is present in its centre. Marble kiosks and fountain are the main attraction of the ablution tank. Black marble is used to decorate the floor.

Dome
Forming the striking feature of Islamic architecture, a bulbous majestic dome was incorporated in this mosque. Along with endowing an elegant look, it also has cooling properties.

Minarets
The three-storey minarets add grandeur and beauty to Jama Masjid. A projected gallery bisects every storey. 41m in height, these minarets adopt an octagonal planned architecture.

Apart from these architectural attractions of this grand mosque, it is known for ornamentation with floral motifs, inscriptions and Quran verses.

Near-by attractions from Jama Masjid
Tourists must explore the bustling colourful attractions, be it local bazaars, heritage monuments or religious places. Few must visit hotspots include Red Fort (1km), Chandni Chowk (1.2 km), India Gate (6.7 km), Lotus Temple (16 km), Qutub Minar (17km).

Shopping near Jama Masjid
Countless make-shift eateries with tempting aroma and lip-smacking cuisines encircle the Jama Masjid. The Urdu Bazaar facing the first gate, along with the Matia Mahal Side Street has the most of hustle-bustle. The specialities include Ishtu, tikkas, kebabs, biryani, mutton korma and chicken changezi. You can spot food here for every pocket and taste.

Timing
During summers, Jama Masjid opens from 7am and closes an hour before sunset. In winters, it opens at 8am. It remains closed for an hour during prayer time in the afternoon. Tourists are not allowed during the prayer time.

How to Reach
Chandni Chowk metro station is the nearest to Jama Masjid. Entry inside the Masjid is free of cost. 200 rupees need to be paid for photography. It is mandatory to remove the shoes before entering.

It does not matter what your calling is, if history, cuisines and photography pulls you, do indulge in Jama Masjid sightseeing. It’s nothing but the very best.