Jama Masjid Delhi

Towering over Old Delhi, the magnificent Jama Masjid stands as the reminder of the Mughal architecture which was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Basically the name Jama Masjid is derived from the word Jummah which is referred as a congregational prayer observed by the Muslims on Friday. Considered as the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid is built from red sandstone and white marble and stands tall dominating the skyline of the busy Chawri Bazar in Central Delhi.

Visiting the mosque, visitors come across the view of the courtyard standing on more than 30 steps higher than the street, giving the mosque a commanding view of the surrounding area that fills the atmosphere with sanctity. Not just this, but the visitors are sure to get impressed at the first glimpse of the mosque as it is the austere grandeur that makes it a must visit place in Delhi.

Facing towards the west, Jama Masjid is oriented towards the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The eastern gate of the mosque is the largest which is served as the Royal entrance which remains closed on the weekdays. Capped with three marble domes, the roof of the mosque visitors could see the beautiful calligraphic inscription in Persian.

Being of the holy places in Delhi, Jama Masjid is deeply revered by the city people and tourists coming from across the globe. It is here that thousands of people gather to offer their prayers and to conclude their fast during Ramadan days. Having a wide space, the courtyard of the Jama Masjid can accommodate 25,000 people at a time.

History of the Attraction

Built by more than 5000 artisans between 1644 and 1656, The mosque was designed by architect Ustad Khalil and was inaugurated by Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari, a mullah from Bukhara (now Uzbekistan), on 23 July 1656, in the presence of Shah Jahan. The total cost included to build the mosque came up to be INR 1 million at that time. The cost to build the mosque was 1 million rupees at the time.

Visiting Timings

One can visit Jama Masjid between 7:00 AM to Noon and then between 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Tourists are not allowed to visit during the prayer hours.

Entry Fees

The entry to Jama Masjid is free of cost.

Best Time to Visit

Although Jama Masjid can be visited at any time of the year but it appears to be more vibrant during the festival of Eid. Visiting during the months of Ramadan i.e., between May and June, one could find the buzz on the streets of Jama Masjid. Other than this, planning a visit during the winter season i.e., between November and February can help you better explore Jama Masjid as the weather remains cool and pleasant.

Top Things to Do & Places to See Nearby

Right from shopping, eating to sighting, Jama Masjid will help you make the most out of your Delhi sightseeing a memorable one.

• With a number of restaurants nearby, Jama Masjid is quite a bliss for people looking for street food in Delhi. Al-Jawahar, Qureshi Kabas, Aslam Chicken Corner are some of the options to try food at.
• Located at a distance of 750 m, visit Red Fort which is yet another popular tourist destination in Delhi.
• Visit Zafar Mahal which is an ideal place for the history buffs which is located at a distance of 17 km away from Jama Masjid.
• A visit to the Khas Mahal which is at a distance of 2km would take you to the place that served as a Mughal emperors private residence in Delhi.

How to Reach

Visitors needs to get down at Jama Masjid Metro Station on Heritage Line (Violet) or can also get down at the Chawri Bazaar Metro Station (Yellow Line).