Welcome back to another episode of Incredible India. In the previous episode, I talked about an old observatory,Jantar Mantar. Whereas in this episode we will visit one of the largest Mosque in India, Jama Masjid.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid or Masjid-i Jahān Numā is one of the largest Mosque in India. It was built by the famous Mughal emperor Shah Jahan from 1650-56^[source]. Shah Jahan also built the nearby Red Fort (more in a future episode) and the famous Taj Mahal in Agra.

Jama Masjid, Delhi

View from top of the left minaret

If you look closely, you can see the walls of the Red Fort in the backdrop.

How to reach

Jama Masjid is situated in Old Delhi, India near the Red Fort. It is located near the Chandni Chowk.

One can land at the IGI (Indira Gandhi International) Airport and take a private cab/taxi from there. It will likely be an hour journey, less if you can dodge the traffic.

Alternately, you can take the metro, the metro station is even named after the Jama Masjid and is one of the best ways to reach there.

Architecture and Design

Like some of the other structures from this period. Red Sandstones and white marbles are heavily used in the construction. And the style is a great example of Indo-Islamic architecture of that time. There is a huge courtyard to accommodate thousands of devotees. The mosque has 3 entrance gates, all using the arched design.

Eastern Gate (Main Entrance)

The Gate is the main entrance gate to the mosque. Jama Masjid has a higher elevation than its surrounding area. Stairs lead up to the entrance gate.

Jama Masjid is one of the biggest attractions in the City. So expect some faces. I tried as much as possible to avoid people but it is practically impossible to do that.

Anyways, you can see the Mosque through the arched gateway.

There were some of the biggest gates you would see. They might not be as old as the Mosque itself. But still looks cool.

Eastern gate from outside

As you can see it is a three-storied structure with a beautiful balcony. The Red sandstone is beautifully carved to make intricate designs.

Eastern gate view from the side

Balcony on the eastern entrance

View of Eastern entrance gate from the courtyard

Other Gates

There are two more gates to enter the Mosque, one from the northern and the other from the southern side. But the most prominent is the already discussed Eastern gate.

Northern gate

Prayer Hall

Janamaz (prayer mat) shaped surface

Design on walls inside the prayer hall

Lotus flower (hindu motifs) is used on the pillars

Three white marble domes are pointing out from the prayer hall.

Courtyard

The courtyard is a paved with Red Sandstones and can accommodate 25,000 worshipers ^[source]

Courtyard (view from left minaret)

Lamp in the courtyard for lighting

Minarets

There are two minarets standing tall on the northern and southern sides. If you enter from the eastern gateway, you will see two minarets one on your left which is open for visitors and the other on right. You need a ticket to go up there but the rest of it is free with no tickets.

One can get to the top of the minaret, consisting of more than a hundred steps but the view is great from the top.

Red Sandstone minaret with vertical white marble stripes

Circular staircase inside the minaret

View from top of the minaret

Southern minaret

Walls

Exterior Wall

Let me know what are your thoughts about the place. I loved it. Would you like to visit this place when/if you come to Delhi? Constructive criticism is always appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Namaste 🙏

Stay tuned for more episodes...