This is the Jama Masjid, India’s largest Islamic mosque. It’s located in Old Delhi on Chandni Chowk street and was the end point of our rickshaw ride through Old Delhi. This mosque took six years to build by 5,000 workers and was completed in 1656 and is made from a combination of red sandstone and marble. It has many broad steps up leading to a two-story gateway to get inside since it was built on a small hill or section of high ground. Once inside, the enclosed courtyard holds 25,000 people. It has a square ablution tank in the center for the washing of feet. We saw people washing parts other than their feet as well. The mosque features an onion-shaped dome and tapered minarets. The mosque was commissioned and built by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal. It is a Mughal mosque and the principal mosque of Old Delhi. It has three gates, four towers and two 130 feet tall minarets. It also has relics and an antique copy of the Quran written on deer skin.

The first photo is the mosque itself. I took quite a few photos but the air was very dirty in Delhi and the sun was making it difficult to take photos. This one probably came out the best. They are doing some repair work as you can see some scaffolding near the main dome.

The second photo is inside the prayer hall. Again, it was all built with marble and red sandstone.

The third photo was just a few of the worshippers in the mosque that day.