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Jama Masjid
Location: Opposite to Red Fort
Located opposite the Red Fort is the majestic Jama Masjid which is
a masterpiece of architecture.
The grand monument of old Delhi is the Jama Masjid or the Friday
Mosque. This is the largest mosque in India. The sprawling esplanade
which separates it from the arterial is a fascinating leisure
ground.
Rewind the tales of history
Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 A.D. by the Mughal
emperor Shah Jahan to compliment his palace at the Red Fort. More
than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete this largest
mosque in India. Every Friday, the emperor and his retinue would
travel in state from the fort to the mosque to attend congressional
prayers.
The exclusive shadow of Mughal Architecture
A fine example of Mughal architecture, the Jama Masjid has three
gateways . The largest and the highest on the east was reserved
exclusively for the emperor. The main courtyard of the mosque is 408
square feet and paved with red stone. In the centre is a large
marble tank in which the devout wash before attending prayers. The
main mosque is crowned by three onion shaped domes made of white
marble and inlaid with strips of black slate. On the north and south
of the complex are two 130 feet high minarets which offer
spectacular bird's eye-view of the city.
It has a flight of stairs which lead to crowded bazaars. It is the
most popular mosque where Muslims offer prayers every Friday and
also on special religious days. The eastern front, with the
ceremonial entrance gateway, is surrounded by shops.
More about the Jama Masjid
Tourists are allowed to ascend the southern minaret from where the
skyline of the city is visible. Women are not allowed to go up the
minaret without a male escort, and during the time of prayer the
minaret is closed. The three-domed mosque is similar to several
other mosques in the city.
Religious Significance of the place
Jama Masjid is not only architecturally beautiful, but also a place
of great religious significance as it houses a hair from the beard
of Prophet and also a chapter of Holy Quran written by him.
Look through the eyes of the Imam
An overwhelming sight of history and religion , Jama Masjid
refreshes the marvelous past. That is how it looks through the eyes
of the Imam, for whom it embodies a turbulent historical epoch. But
if you approach the mosque you discover a whole way of life, a
microcosm of quintessential India in its shadow, on its steps, in
the narrow streets criss-crossing, Meena Bazaar and its famous Urdu
Bazaar.
People around Jama Masjid.
The Jama Masjid area is about people - thousands of them, pavement
hawkers, and petty shopkeepers, zari-workers of Motia Mahal,
booksellers of Urdu Bazaar, hoteliers and rickshaw pullers. It is
they who live history, if not determine it, recalling a bygone era
recorded by court historians and myth-makers.
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