Jama Masjid in Delhi

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Gloomy day at the Jama Masjid
Photo by: Saad.Akhtar, Creative Commons

The Jama Masjid is located in Delhi (the capital city of India). Jama Masjid is the biggest mosque in Asia. The construction of the Jama Masjid was ordered by the emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1656, which was also the year the Taj mahal was built (one of the seven wonders in the world). The Jama Masjid courtyard can occupy at least twenty five thousand people at a time. The unique feature of the Jama Masjid is the Quran which is written on Deer’s skin.

About 5,000 workers were involved in the construction of the Jama Masjid, taking about six years. The cost involved in the construction in those times was about 10 million rupees in today’s economy. In addition, several other mosques were built near Ajmer, Agra, Delhi and Lahore.

The mosque has seven domes each having a tower in the middle. In addition, there is a hall where prayers are offered, the length of the hall is about 61 meters, where there are 11 entrances to the prayer hall. The mosque has two huge minarets which are about 41 meters high, and there is 130 steps built with red stone and marble. In addition there are four minor minarets to the back side of the mosque.

There are several different ways to reach the mosque’s courtyard, which includes the north, south, and east directions containing steps which are built of crimson stone. There are 39 steps from the north gate,33 steps from the southern gate and 35 steps from the east gate which is the main entrance to the mosque. In the evening times, the steps of the mosque are converted into stalls, book stalls and eatable places. The western side of the mosque is converted into poultry where birds and meat are sold. In the southern part of the mosque books are sold.

Traveling
The Jama Masjid being located in the heart of the Delhi City. Delhi being the capital city of India is well equipped with all means of transport. People traveling there can choose their way of transport according to their interest.

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