India is a diverse land and Islam is one of the most followed religions in the subcontinent. The Mosque is the place of prayer for the Muslims. These holy structures speak a lot about the glorious past of the country. Visit these monuments to explore the different architectural detailing and styles. India is blessed with some of the magnificent mosques. Here we are providing you with some of the famous mosques in India.
Jama Masjid, Delhi
Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India and can provide an accommodation of up to 25,000 devotees during the prayer. Jama Masjid is considered as an inseparable part of Delhi tourism. The mosque was built in 1644 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The masjid boasts four grand towers and three huge gates. The 40m high minarets, domes, doors, and arches bring out some impressive detailing. The floor is covered with black and white ornamented marbles and has a strong resemblance to Jama Masjid of Agra.
Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal
Located in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, Taj-ul-Masjid is considered as one of the tallest mosques in Asia. The major attraction is the 18-storied octagonal minarets. The mosque has three domes, a magnificent main hallway with fine pillars and the marble flooring inspired by the Mughal architecture.
Haji Ali, Mumbai
One of the prime tourist sites in Mumbai, the mosque is home to the Tomb of Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. The pristine white marble structure stands tall in the middle of the Arabian Sea. The mosque is a perfect example of Indo-Islamic architecture. The tomb is placed in the main hall of the complex and is enclosed by white marble. Above this, there is a big dome which is adorned with mirror work. The verses from the Holy Quran can also be seen here.
Bara Imambara, Lucknow
The Lucknow tour is incomplete without visiting the Bara Imambara. The shrine was built by Asaf-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh in 1784. The structure consists of two imposing gates, a step well, a labyrinth, and the Asfi Mosque. Bara Imambara houses the tomb of Asaf-ud-Duala. One of the most interesting facts about the whole structure is that it does not have any beam supporting the main ceiling. This makes it one of the largest arched constructions in the world.
Jamia Masjid, Srinagar
Located at Nowhatta in Srinagar, Jamia Masjid was built in 1400 AD by Sultan Sikandar. The mosque is designed in Indo-Saracenic architectural style and has a beautiful courtyard and 370 wooden pillars. The compound of the mosque is set with a square-shaped garden enclosed by wide lanes on all the four sides.
Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad
One of the most famous tourist places of Hyderabad, Makkah Masjid was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. It is said that the bricks used for building the mosque’s central arch were made of soil and were brought from the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This architectural genius consists of five passageways, four minarets, arched galleries and octagonal balconies.
Hazratbal Masjid, Jammu, and Kashmir
The beautiful Hazratbal Masjid is situated on the left bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir. The pristine white mosque boasts a dome and a minaret. The shrine has a hallowed relic called the Moi-e-Muqqadas. It has been believed that the relic has the hair of Prophet Muhammad. The beauty of the mosque increases, even more, when its reflection appears on the lake.
India has above 300,000 active mosques. If you are planning to go for a family trip, then you can certainly include these places in your list. These hallowed structures not only provide you with a spiritual experience but also tell you a lot about their historical significances.