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Jama Masjid
The Biggest Mosque In India,
near the Red Fort about 500m away, is the Jama masjid. The construction of the mosque was begun by Shah Jahan in 1650 and completed six years later. The
whole cost of construction was about a million rupees. It is hard to imagine a building more suited
to evoking the awe of the majesty of Allah in man. The mosque stands on a rocky
elevation. Its huge gateway looks down at you like fastidious connoisseur from
an immense platform which has steps that lead up to it.
Constructed in Sandstone and white marble, Jama Masjid can be entered from both
the directions - North and the South Gates. The eastern gateway is supposed to
remain open in Friday and was used by the emperor himself. Jama Masjid is
cluttered by devotees who offer namaz, especially during Muslim Festival. For
those who don't belong to non - Muslim community, a specified time is mentioned
to enter the mosque.
Beyond the intimidating entrance, is a vast courtyard
measuring nearly 100msq. It is flanked by pillared corridors which run all along
the courtyard and have domed pavilions in the middle on either side.
The prayer hall, measuring 61m by 27.5m, is quite a marvel. It is has a
magnificent facade of eleven arches, the central one being higher than the
others and serving as the entrance. It is topped off by three magnificent domes
which are richly ornamented and have black and white marble stripes - much like
the Nizamuddin Dargah.