Â鶹APP

Jama Masjid Delhi photo by Muhammad Mahdi  

Top 10 Unbelievable facts about the Jama Masjid, Delhi

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1650 and 1656 and inaugurated by its first Imam, Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari.

The mosque is in the Mughal capital of Shahjahanabad. It served as the imperial mosque of the Mughal Emperor until the demise of the empire in 1857. The Jama Masjid was regarded as a symbolic node of Islamic power across India, well into the colonial era.

It was also a site of political significance during several critical periods of British rule. It remains in active use and is one of Delhi’s most iconic sites, identified with the ethos of Old Delhi.

Some of the unbelievable facts about the Jama Masjid Delhi include 

1. The Jama Masjid architecture

Shah Jahan built Jama Masjid between 1644-1656. It was constructed by more than 5,000 workers, which is quite a normal deal to make a huge structure.

The mosque’s architecture derives inspiration from Jain and Hindu methods, especially in the western portion of it. There is a huge hall in this wing of the structure and has motifs and patterns that are widely used in other religions, making it an inherently multi-cultural experience.

2. Jama Masjid is the largest mosque

Jama Masjid Delhi photo by Muhammad Mahdi

Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in the world. It can accommodate a whopping 25000 people. Also, its courtyard can hold 85000 people on its premises.

The mosque measures 80 m and 27 m in breadth and houses the main prayer hall with seven arched entrances facing the west, with the traditional mihrab altar for the prayer leader. The walls of the mosque are covered with marbles up to waist-level height. 

The mosque has four watchtowers marking the outer walls as security.

3. Jama Masjid has survived two attacks

The Mosque survived attacks from bomb explosions in 2006 and the firing in 2010. Jama Masjid survived both attacks, and it still holds strong as the prime attraction in the capital.

4. The mosque has 3 sandstones gate

Three sandstone gates can access the Jama Masjid. These are the three-story high eastern gates. Historically, it acted as the royal entrance. It was reserved only for the use of the Emperor and his associates. While the other two entrances are the northern and the southern gates. The two stories are high and were used by the general population. Each gate was accompanied by a three-sided sandstone stairway with white markings to designate the prayer positions.

5. Festivals that took place in Jama Masjid

 There are a lot of Muslim celebrations like the Eid in the Jama Masjid. The celebration is praised great. The sacred month of the Islamic culture is praised in the Jama Masjid. After the dusk in the mosque, the morning supper (iftar) and supper are sorted out 

The celebrations of the Suhoor contain the principal supper of the morning in completion. It is the main supplication of the day called Fajr. The mosque permits the poor individuals from the network to appreciate free dinner at the beginning and the day’s end.

6. The Jama Masjid’s prayer hall

Jama Masjid Delhi Photo by Michael Clarke

The prayer hall has a measure of 61 meters and 27 meters in breadth. It also has 3 marble domes that rise from its roof and features the golden finials. The prayer hall has features of a grand pishtaq in the center, flanked by five smaller, cusped archways on the sides. The prayer hall has some calligraphic pieces above each archway. The interior of the hall bears seven mihrabs on the western qibla wall. It is corresponding to the seven bays in which the hall is divided. The center of the mihrab is decorated and clad in marble, with a marble minbar lying to the right. The hall is floored with black and white ornamented marble that looks like a Muslim prayer mat.

7. The mosque has 2 minarets that measure 4o meters high and 3 domes

Two sandstone minarets flanked the mosque’s domes at the northeast and southeast corners. The minarets are 40 meters high and are longitudinally striped with white marble. Each minaret comprises 130 steps, along with the viewing galleries that occur at the three places. Both minarets are topped with marble chatter.

8. Jama Masjid open courtyard

Jama Masjid Delhi courtyard photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg  

The open courtyard in front of Jam Masjid has an ablution tank with a fountain in the center. The ablution tank has been installed for the rituals to be performed before the Namaz. It has a sandstone platform for the Muazzin, which means the one who gives the call for the prayers in front of the tank. Also has a couple of sundials in the courtyard. 

The main shrine has been divided into halls which have been further split into seven bays of ornamental pillars. The floor of the mosque is beautifully decorated with black marbles and there are 899 marks for devotees.

9. Restaurants near Jama Masjid

Karim is among the most famous eating joints in Delhi. It is located a couple of hundred meters away from the mosque. The place became a street food paradise during the time of Iftar. The opposite lane of the mosque is filled with beef biryani, kebabs, keema samosas, and room afza sharbat

10. Around the mosque there is an incredible destination to visit 

Delhi Jama Masjid photo by Gerd Eichman

In old Delhi, one can see the red fort that was built with red sandstone has 18 to 30 meters in height. It might be among the destination visit when visiting the mosque. Others include the following.

• The lotus temple is between a landscape and people of different religions are allowed to enter the premise to perform the place and worship.
• Jantar mantra is an observatory. The national museum of natural history and the national rail museum are the major places that attract tourist 

The recommended time to visit Jama Masjid is during the festival of Eid. The buzz on the street of Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk multiply tenfold during the month of Ramadan. The best to visit is before 12 o’clock at the noon and between 2 pm to 4 pm.

One is advised when the visiting the mosque has to the leave the footwear outside the mosque, should dress up conservatively, and avoid wearing shorts and shirts, tourists are allowed inside the mosques during the prayer time and travelers should hire robes outside the north gate.