The Biggest Mosque In India
http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/jamamasjid.html
Near the Red Fort about 500m away is the Jama masjid, the biggest mosque in
India. It was begun by Shah Jahan in 1650 and completed six years later and the
whole cost about a million rupees. It is hard to imagine a building more suited
to evoking the awe of the majesty of Allah in man. The mosque stands on a rocky
elevation. Its huge gateway looks down at you like fastidious connoisseur from
an immense platform which has steps that lead up to it.
Constructed in Sandstone and white marble, Jama Masjid can be entered from both
the directions - North and the South Gates. The eastern gateway is supposed to
remain open in Friday and was used by the emperor himself. Jama Masjid is
cluttered by devotees who offer namaz, especially during Muslim Festival. For
those who don't belong to non - Muslim community, a specified time is mentioned
to enter the mosque.
|
State :
|
1658
|
|
Constructed by :
|
Shah Jahan in Delhi
|
|
Visiting Hours :
|
October to March.
|
|
Number of People :
|
20,000 people
|
|
Eastern gateway :
|
open only on Fridays
|
Beyond the intimidating entrance, is a vast
courtyard measuring nearly 100msq. It is flanked by pillared corridors which run
all along the courtyard and have domed pavilions in the middle on either side.
The prayer hall, measuring 61m by 27.5m, is quite a marvel. It is has a
magnificent façade of eleven arches, the central one being higher than the
others and serving as the entrance. It is topped off by three magnificent domes
which are richly ornamented and have black and white marble stripes – much like
the Nizamuddin Dargah.
[Home] |