Jama Masjid, Delhi, India

I am not a religious person but whenever in India I visit this mosque in my native area the NCR for its architecture beauty. I visit and write about religious places because I love traveling and see the architectural beauty of different places.

In this case I am taking you to the Jama Masjid in Delhi which is one of the largest mosques in the world located in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, India built in 17th century one of the architectural beauty of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and a place where thousands of Muslims pray every day.

The Jama Masjid originally named "Masjid-e-Jahan Numa" which means the largest mosque in the world in the Arabic language is now now known as "Jama Masjid". The history says this mosque in Delhi is the finest mosque constructed during the Mughal era using red sandstone and white marble in Indo-Islamic architectural style the mosque is 261 feet long and 90 feet wide.

The mosque has three arched gates, three marble domes, four towers, and two towering minarets. It also has a sprawling courtyard that can accommodate more than 25,000 people for prayers at a time. But the mosque is open to anyone irrespective of their religion.

I often go through from the eastern side gate climbing thirty five steps leading to it. This gate is also known as the royal entrance since it was reserved for use of Mughal Emperors.

The gates on the northern and southern sides have several steps and each of the two minarets comprises of five stories with a protruding 130 feet high balcony.

There are 130 steps inside each minaret to climb to the top. The mosque is beautifully designed in black and white marble floor, lavish arches, floral designs, and fluorescent motifs adorn the interiors of this mosque.

Today, this centuries-old mosque is one of the top tourist places in Delhi. Jama masjid is considered the largest mosques in the country as it draws visitors and devotees from all parts of the world including the locals.

During the special occasions the mosque witnesses a huge gathering here to offer prayers or namaz. We see there are two minarets inside the mosque, but only one at the southern side is open to the public at a nominal fee. During the evenings, the mosque is illuminated, that makes it even more beautiful.

Although one must be dressed appropriately to enter the mosque but there is no hard and fast rule when the namaz session is not going on but people willing can be hire such clothes at the northern gate. It was the royal mosque of the emperors during Mughal era but currently, the masjid is open to all.