8 Renowned Mosques in India

The holy Ramadan has started this year and will continue till May 12th. On this auspicious and divine occasion, I would like to trigger your traveller's mind and go for a virtual tour of 8 renowned mosques in India. These spectacular and astounding mosques have been alluring globetrotters from different parts of the world. Devotees often offer their prayers and seek their blessings from the Holy Lord. Besides the architectural beauty of the mosques are worthy of trillions of appreciation; portraying the craftsmanship of the artists from yesteryears.

Jama Masjid, Delhi

The largest mosque and one of the prominent mosques in India, built by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Spread across a huge area of 1200 square meters, it can house 25000 devotees in its courtyard for offering prayers. Situated in old Delhi at Chandni Chowk, the construction of Jama Masjid was carried out for a period of 6 years from 1650 to 1655. The building is an iconic landmark in the city. Comprising of 3 gateways, 3 minarets, 4 towers and a massive dome structure, Jama Masjid is an exemplary replica of the rich Islamic architecture. A flight of 121 steps lead towards the main entrance of the mosque. Made out of sandstone and white marble, Jama Masjid is a pride of Indian architectural grandeur.

Bara Imambara, Lucknow

Constructed in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, the 4th Nawab of Awadh; Bara Imambara is one of the most spectacular mosques in India. Located in Lucknow, the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh, it took 14 years to construct Bara Imambara. The unique artistic creativity of the mosque is its arched roof of the halls at the centre of the mosque. Not a single girder or beam has been leveraged for constructing the roof. Lime plaster and small bricks have been majorly used as materials for construction. The tomb of the Nawab is present at the centre of the mosque. The labyrinth is another interesting part of the mosque. It has 489 simiar doorways and about 1000 passages.

Hazratbal Masjid, Srinagar

One of the holiest mosques in India, Hazratbal Masjid is located in Srinagar, the capital city of Kashmir, at the banks of the picturesque Dal lake. The mosque has a dome structure, unique in the city. The key feature of the mosque is the presence of the relic Moi-e-Muqqadas inside the shrine. Devotees believe that the relic is the hair of the great Prophet Mohammad. Constructed of white marble, it symbolizes the beauty of Islamic architecture. You can observe the scenic views of the lake and the adjacent mountains from the mosque.

Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai

Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, the financial capital city of India, is a floating mosque. Especially since it's located in the middle of the Arabian Sea and you have to walk down a 500 yards pathway to reach the entrance. Being one of the incredible mosques in India, it is visited by millions of people every year. The Dargah houses the the tomb of the legendary Muslim Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (R.A.). It is an iconic landmark in the city, beautifully architected and designed with domes and minarets. Such is its importance and prominence that the mosque has been featured in many popular films of India. The footfall at the mosque is amazing with devotees arriving in large quantities every day to offer their prayers.

Nagina Masjid, Agra

One of the astounding mosques in India, wrapped with white marble. Also known as Gem Mosque, it is distinctively noted because of its artistic arches. Established between the years 1631 and 1640, it has a prayer chamber, elaborate domes adorned by the inverted lotus. The facade of the mosque has three arches with one in the middle being the largest. The mosque was originally built to be used by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and especially for the ladies of the royal family. Located near the Agra Fort, it is an example of remarkable architectural beauty.

Jumma Masjid, Bengaluru

One of the oldest mosques in India, it is located in Bengaluru, the capital city of the state of Karnataka. The mosque was built around the year 1790 as a mark of respect to the great king Tipu Sultan. The design and the architecture of the mosque are astonishing; comprising of exquisite motifs, magnificent domes, ornated minarets, and spectacular facade. During important religious festivals, the mosque is elegantly decorated with lights. Devotees arrive in huge numbers to offer their prayers and seek blessings of the Holy Lord.

Taj-ul-Masjid, Bhopal

The name implies the crown of the mosques and is the largest mosque in India. Taj-ul-Masjid is also the second largest mosque in the continent of Asia. Spread across an area of 430,000 square feet, the masjid stands high in Bhopal, the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Established between the years 1868 and 1901 by Sultan Shah Jehan Begum, it looks similar to that of the Jama Masjid of Delhi. The structure comprised of 2 minarets and 3 domes, beautifully architected and designed by red stone. The view from the mosque is also incredible, being present near the banks of the Lake Motia Talab.

Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad

One of the largest mosques in India, it is a treasure and pride of the country. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the king of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty, was instrumental in establishing the mosque between the years 1614 and 1694. The reason it being named the Makkah Masjid or Mecca Masjid, its arch embellishments was constructed from the soil of Mecca, the holy land of the Muslims. The unique feature of the mosque is its three-arched facade. the facade has been constructed from a sole piece of granite stone. The tombs of the Asaf Jahi dynasty rulers can be found near the entrance to the courtyard. The graves are housed inside beautifully arched and canopied buildings, the most attractive feature of the mosque.