Jama Masjid Travel

Introduction

Jama Masjid is a largest mosque of Old Delhi in India situated across the road to Red Fort. This is a must visit for the tourists in Delhi. Jama Masjid is one of the well-known masjid in India with great religious significance of holy Quran written by the hair of the prophet in the antique style of copy written on the deer’s skin. This is a most ancient mosque of India from the Mughal era which is still having the same undamaged structure, where most of the Delhi Muslims offer their prayers (Namaz) every day. Actually, The Jama name derived for Jama Masjid from the weekly prayers Jummah reads on each Friday by the Islam devotees.

History

Jama Masjid is an ancient mosque of India build by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1656 AD. The construction took the costing of 10 lakhs nearly 1 million rupees in today’s time. The attractive work of the masjid was started by Shahjahan which was completed in 6 years of hard labor. More than 5000 architectures were indulged in the creation of this wonderful historical monument of India by using red sandstones and white or black marble. The mosque is supported by 260 pillars with 15 domes at different areas. The main hall is spread in 408sq feet of area with the capacity of holding thousands of people.

Architectures and developments

The architecture of the mosque reflects the unity of best Hindu, Jain and Muslim styles of architecture. At the eastern part of the mosque see a tomb that houses graves of three great Mughal rulers of Gujarat- Ahmed Shah I, his son, Mohammed Shah and his grandson, Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah II. At the north gate of the mosque see the sandals and foot prints of red beard hair of the prophet which are entrenched on marble slab. You will find three gateways; four towers and two minarets in Jama Masjid which was made by the vertical strips of red sandstone and white & black marble alternatively. A special feature was introduced in the construction of the Jama Masjid Mosque that only at certain angle the walls will shift during earthquake so the collision will occur outward.

Sites and structures

The original name of the mosque is Masjid Jahan Numa, which is later on call in the short name as Jama Masjid. Firstly Jama Masjid was known as the Masjid-i-Jahanuma, meaning World Reflecting Mosque in Persian. The mosque is structured over a hillock in Delhi by Emperor Shah Jahan. The whole mosque was completed within the duration of continues 6 years. The overall looks of the building is very simple, because Shahjahan, the ruler wants it to make as a sacred pilgrimage where people can worship and seek peace of mind.

The mosque is situated at the famous Delhi market Chandni Chowk. Visitors can enjoy the immense architectural attractions of this simple mosque in Delhi. The Masjid owns 3 gateways, two 40m high minarets and 4 towers. On the same road, you can view Red fort too, it will save your time to visit at different place. The Red Fort and Red Sand Stone built Jama Masjid will make a best tourist attraction in Old Delhi. The main eastern gate was firmly meant for the entry of the associates of the Royal family. The main prayer hall decorated with many high arches and points is situated on the western side of the mosque is opened on Fridays and on other Muslim festivals only. Thus, you can enjoy the free entry in the wonderful mosque of India.

How to reach

You can see the beautiful mosque at Daryanganj in Chandni Chowk. You can take the road ways, like AC buses or taxies to reach at Jama Masjid from any corner of the Delhi.