In India, mosques are magnificent architectural works of art that are more than just religious symbols. The majority of mosques in India were built by the former Islamic monarchs to showcase the grandeur and strength of the country they ruled. India’s cultural and societal diversity can be attributed to these ancient times, when multiple kings of various faiths ruled over the country.
Famous Mosques in India
Although all mosques in India share the same religious imagery, such as domes, arches, and minarets, the main feature that sets the country’s big mosques apart is that they are accessible to everyone, except during prayer hours. These magnificent architectural wonders that inspire a sense of simplicity and tranquility are accessible to people of all faiths.
1. Jama Masjid, Delhi
Located in Delhi, the nation’s capital, this mosque is the biggest in the nation and can hold 25,000 people during prayer. The king who constructed this architectural marvel was also the one who created the marvel, the Taj Mahal. With numerous enormous minarets, arches, domes, and doorways, the Jama Masjid is one of Delhi’s most visited tourist destinations and historic sites. The mosque has three sizable gateways and four imposing towers.
The mosque’s minarets are composed of white marble and sandstone, and its ornate interior walls have been preserved in immaculate condition. There are 39 stairs at the north gate of the mosque, 33 at the south entrance, and 35 at the east gate, which was built for the villagers. The mosque’s floor is composed of marble that has been adorned in black and white to mimic an authentic Islamic prayer mat. With these many specifications, Jama Masjid has been placed first in the list of top 5 most famous mosques in India.
2. Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad
This magnificent mosque is situated in the heart of the historic landmark area next to Chowmahalla Palace, Laad Bazaar, in Hyderabad. From the top terrace of Hyderabad’s renowned Charminar, the mosque is visible. Built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth king of the Qutb Dynasty, this enormous mosque is also among the oldest in the nation.
According to mythologies, the mosque’s bricks were transported all the way from Mecca, the Saudi Arabian holy city of Islam. At the main prayer hall, this magnificent edifice stands 75 feet high, 220 feet wide, and 180 feet long. It is reported that 8,000 laborers toiled diligently for 77 years to build the majestic mosque.
3. Taj – ul – Masjid, Bhopal
The name of this enormous mosque, which is located in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, roughly translates to “The crown of all mosques.” The mosque is regarded as one of Asia’s tallest. Although Nawab Shah Jahan Begum, the ruler of Bhopal (1844–1860), had first constructed it, the finishing touches were added in 1985.
It is reported that the mosque’s entry gate features antique elements that were derived from Syrian mosques. The mosque’s pink facade is topped with eighteen storey-high, octagonal minarets that date back to approximately 1250. The Quibla wall is decorated with eleven arches and exquisite engravings that display trellis work.
4. Bara Imambara, Lucknow
This is the largest unsupported structure in India and a marvel of architecture. Located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the mosque is regarded as an engineering marvel all over the world. The fourth Nawab of Awadh constructed the mosque for a noble cause. Nawab Asaf-Ud-Dowhala Bara Imambara, also known as Asafi Imambara, is the name of the mosque.
This mosque’s construction, which started in 1784, took 14 years to finish. The building, which is entirely constructed of unique little Lakhnawi bricks, has some intriguing, eye-catching features. There is not a single girder or beam supporting the enormous roof that forms the arch in the center hall. Within the mosque complex is a labyrinth that has 489 similar doorways, many stair cases that run up and down, and 1000 passageways.
5. Jama Masjid, Agra
This mosque was built in 1648 in Agra as yet another exquisite creation by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his adored daughter Jahanara. The tomb of the great Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti is currently located inside the mosque. The mosque’s inner chambers, which consist of a main chamber and two smaller ones, are decorated with carved mihrabs.
It is housed in a huge rectangular structure and rests on an elevated platform. The mosque is crowned by three enormous domes that are carved with an inverted lotus and kalash finials, a unique decoration that is often found at the top of a mosque’s roof. Ten thousand people can be accommodated in the building at once.
