Jama Masjid

Quick Facts

Jama Masjid, as it is popularly known, has its real calling ‘the Masjid-i Jahān-Numā’ meaning 'World-reflecting Mosque'. This is the main mosque situated in Chawri Bazar Road at Old Delhi in India. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ordered for its construction 1650 AD had it completed in 1656 AD, it is considered the largest and famous mosque in India.

The popular name - Jama Masjid was given to indicate that it is the place for doing Jummah, the weekly Friday noon congregation prayers of Muslims. Such mass prayers are to be done in a mosque, which places are referred as the "congregational mosque" or "jāmi' masjid", while the courtyard of Jama Masjid can accommodate twenty-five thousand worshippers.

Jama Masjid is also the venue for several relics kept in a closet in the north gate, which includes an antique copy of the Qur’an scripted in the deer skin.\

History

Mughal Emperor Shahjahan initiated the action of laying the foundation of the historic Jama Masjid on Friday, October 19th, 1650 AD, (10th Shawwal 1060 AH) on a hillock in Shahjahanbad. It was constructed by a work force of about 6,000 in number, working over a busy period of six years from 1650 to 1656 AD on a cost of 10 Lakh rupees of those days.

Emperor Shahjahan being a Mughal king having passion for architecture had raised the wonder of the world Taj Mahal at Agra and the magnificent Red Fort in New Delhi. Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 AD (1066 AH) designed with three great gates, four amazing towers and two mammoth 40m high minarets, all of them constructed with strips of red sandstone with white marble amidst.

Jama Masjid has such a large court yard, in which about 25,000 people can sit and pray at a time. The mosque’s is courtyard paved in rectangular shape of 75 metres long and 66 metres width, the whole of its western chamber forming a big hall erected with 260 pillars. All these pillars are carved according to Hindu and Jain traditions, while the courtyard is accessible from the East, the entrance leading also to another enclosure in which the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed Shah is aligned.

What to See

It is during the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha that this mosque draws thousands of devotees coming to offer prayers. Many Muslim festivals are celebrated here, the entire courtyard is occupied by religious assembly giving a carnival type of look. This mosque situated in an urban locality is particularly overcrowded during special occasions such as Id.

All the three gates of Jama Masjid, two minarets – each of 40 meters height and the amazing four towers are the exciting features that visitors admire. The minarets have been made of red sand stone and white marbles with black colour stripes in between. The visitors to the mosque are offered with the traditional ceremonial clothes kept available for them at the northern gate for wearing at their option.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Old Delhi, where Jama Masjid is situated houses many tourist attractions, such as Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, Salimgarh Fort, Raj Ghat and St James Church and tourist groups swarm the entire region to visit these places as they visit Jama Masjid.

Nearby Restaurant to Eat

For a gourmet, the area around Jama Masjid offers wonderful eating spots which include

• Karims, the famous kebabs joint
• Ghantewala, the popular sweet shop
• Moti Mahal of Darya Ganj
• Flora Restaurant for different flavours of food items
• Peshwari Restaurant for local delights
• Natraj Hotel for traditional Indian meal
• Chor Bazaar Broadway hotel for Kashmere cuisine
• Paranthewali Gali.

Nearby Shopping Markets

Delhi City by itself known for famous market places, Old Delhi houses still important marketing outlets one of them being Chandni Chowk, often called Silver Street selling variety of silver utensils and Silver jewellery. Apart from this, the place is known for embroidered clothing, wonderful food joints and exciting curios shops, not to speak of the antique Gramophone sets and traditional photographic gadgets.

Besides Chandni Chowk, the avid shopper has the spots like Chatta Chowk for handicraft and contemporary jewellery items, Chor Bazaar where electronic goods will be available and Nai Sarak, the wonderful place for rare books.

Visitor’s Information

Address: Meena Bazar, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, DL 110006

How to Reach Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid being a popular location and landmark in Delhi, taxis and auto rickshaws from any point of the city will easily take the traveller to this place without confusion, while there a number of Buses ply to this place, which start from Interstate Bus Terminus either at Sarai Kale Khan or Kashmere Gate, with Delhi Metro too has a station to take people to Jama Masjid, the nearest station being Chawri Bazaar.

Jama Masjid is situated at a distance of 2 km from Old Delhi Railway Station and 21 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport.