Experience the Majestic Mosque

Jama Masjid,  otherwise known as Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, is the major mosque located in Old Delhi, India. This voluminous mosque creates a gigantic awe which is clearly felt without any doubt. The spiritual spirits from this mosque rise to million high and touches each and every heart. Jama Masjid, otherwise known as Masjid-i-Jahan Numa is one among the largest class buildings situated in India. This Mosque was constructed at million costs in less than 6 years (between 1650 and 1656 AD) when Shahjahan transferred his capital city to Delhi from Agra. The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa name means, ‘mosque which commands the world’s view’ and Jama Masjid name refers to weekly congregation which is followed every Friday at mosque. In spite of various proportions of mosque, there is a perfect blend of multiple component parts in effortless homogeneity and perfect harmony resulting in this outstanding monument of elegance and great grace. This mosque also contains amazing collections of various relics in specific closet located near north gate, the more special one being the Holy Quran copy scripted on the skin of deer. One should never miss an opportunity to see this holy mosque. The history gets unfolded in front of eyes before one gets indulged in the shopping markets situated in Jama Masjid.

Architecture of Jama Masjid

• The central courtyard of this mosque can easily be reached from south, north and east direction by 3 steps, all constructed on red sandstone.
• There are 389 steps in the mosque northern gate
• There are 500 steps in the mosque southern side
• There are 774 steps in the rural entrance located in eastern direction of this mosque
• They make use of these steps for shops, house food shops and also street entertainers
• During morning time, they convert the eastern space of this mosque into a shopping bazaar for birds and poultry in general.
• The mosque itself faces southern direction. The free sides of this mosque is surrounded with open chrophyll, carrying a hefty gateway in the form of tower at its centre
• The length of this mosque is about 6876.5928 m ( 22561 feet  ) and its width comes around 78717.0384 m (258258 feet) whereas the roof of this mosque carries 8 domes with alternating stripes of white and purple marble and its bottom part is surrounded with loads.
• The domes are flanked on both sides by 2 lofty huge minarets of 41 m (130 feet ) high, containing approximately 130 steps which is decorated with alternative red sandstone and white marble.
• These minarets are classified into 3 types of projecting galleries which is then surmounted by 12 open –sided dome shaped pavilions
• Below these domes of the mosque, there is a big hall carrying 7 arch shaped entrances towards its west and the mosque walls till the height up to one’s waist and decorated with the marbles.
• Moving further from this spot, there is prayer hall measuring about 61 m X 27.5 m, carrying elevated arch shaped entrance. Among them each arch is lofty and wide in the shape of huge gateway carrying slimmed minarets in each of its corner along with the regular octagonal shaped pavilion that surmounts it.
• Above these arch shaped entrances are located tablets made of white marble with the dimension of 760 mm (2.5 feet) wide and 1.2 m (4 feet) length, carrying inscriptions of black marble
• Right from the terrace pavement, this mosque stands in a 1.5 m (5 feet) platform with 3 flight steps leading to mosque interior from south, north and east direction
• The mosque floor is decorated with black and white marble designed to look like the prayer mat of Muslims. There is a black colored thin marble border to intimate worshippers and it is of one and a half feet width and three feet length.  All together, there are approximately 899 such type of spaces that are marked on mosque floor.

Location, Address and Other Information

Meena Bazar, Daryaganj, Chandni Chowk New Delhi, Delhi 110006
Tel No - 011 23320005

Timings: 7 am to 12 pm and 1.30 pm-6.30 pm
Open on all days but closed for the tourists during the prayer time

Entry: Free
Photography: Rs. 200

Where to Eat

There is no eating place in this mosque. But there are many eateries located on the roadside that takes us to mosque. These restaurants serve non vegetarian dishes mostly.

What to Wear and Carry

• Clothing appropriate for religious sites. Avoid wearing shorts.
• Walking shoes
• Drinking water

Useful Tips for Tourists

One can reach Jama Masjid from any part of the city. Situated in old part of Delhi, one can reach this mosque either through rail or road. With the invention of Metro rail service, this mosque has become very close to heart of this Delhi city. One should keep aside their shoes and for tourists who consider themselves to be differently dressed (empty legs for both women and men) can rent robes from northern gate. Even non- Muslims can visit this mosque during 30 mins before sunset and 30 mins after sunrise but it remains closed on all Fridays for approximately 2 hours at the time of mid-day prayer session.  The gateway located in the eastern direction is opened on Friday for public whereas on festival days, there will be normal entry either through southern or northern gate.