Jama Masjid
Delhi Cathedral Mosque, considered one of the largest in India. Located in the old parts of Delhi. The full name is Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa - “The Mosque Reflecting the World”. Its other name, Jama Masjid, which means "Friday Prayer", is more famous. Impressive in its size, majestic and beautiful historical monument, still in use today. The temple is made in the architectural style of the Great Mughals.
Construction began in 1644 and completed in 1656. The Jama Masjid was built by the famous Shah Jahan, who gave the world the legendary Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The palace-mausoleum of the Taj Mahal was built by the ruler as a sign of great love and is dedicated to his wife, and the mosque was built in honor of their daughter Jahanara Begam. Over 5 thousand people built a huge structure for 8 years.
In 1857, the British colonialists suppressed the uprising and captured the Jama Masjid mosque. Initially, they even wanted to demolish it to the ground in order to punish and frighten the inhabitants. Fearing a new wave of protests, they limited themselves to placing soldiers in the mosque building. The building of the madrasah, located on the south side of the temple, was destroyed by the British.
Architecture of the Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is surrounded by high red sandstone walls with a tower in each of its 4 corners. The temple courtyard can be accessed from three sides by climbing the steps and passing through the gate. Always open south and north. The third - eastern - were intended for rulers and imperial persons. Now they are plowed open for everyone on Friday and holidays.
Behind the gate in front of the mosque, a huge square is paved, accommodating 25,000 parishioners. A gallery consisting of numerous arches runs along the perimeter of the walls from above. There is a font for ablution in the courtyard.
Above the Jama Masjid, there are 8 domes lined with white and purple stripes of marble. On the sides are two 40-meter minarets. The walls of the minarets are built of red sandstone and white marble, which alternate with vertical stripes. Tourists are allowed to climb only the southern minaret through a steep spiral staircase with 130 steps. The tower offers a magnificent view of Delhi. The floor inside the mosque is made of marble with black and white ornaments. For convenience, the floor is divided into 899 squares, the size of a prayer rug.
In the inner structure of the northern gate, an ancient handwritten Koran is kept, the pages of which are made of deer skin. It is believed that the manuscript was dictated by the Prophet Muhammad himself. Among other Islamic relics, Mohammed's slippers, a stone impression of his foot, hair from his beard are kept in the mosque.
Before entering the Jama Masjid, everyone takes off their shoes and puts on special prayer clothes. During prayer, people of other confessions are not allowed to enter the mosque.
