Jama Masjid

Travel tips you can trust

Why the
Jama Masjid of Delhi
is special

This famous, sizeable, 17th century mosque in Old Delhi is simultaneously imposing and magnificent.

Top 5
Jama Masjid
must sees

Courtyard

This huge open-air space accommodates 20,000 worshipers at a time.

Enclosed prayer hall

Prayers in the courtyard face this majestic three-dome prayer hall. It contains the mihrab (a traditional wall niche that points to Mecca).

Minarets

You can climb one of the two 40-meter (130-foot) high minarets for a spectacular bird's eye view of the Jama Masjid and Delhi.

Gates

The East Gate is the grandest and most visually exciting of these red sandstone portals. All three have a broad-beamed flight of steps numbering several dozen.

Relics of Mohammed

Some relics (including what devotees believe to be a hair of the Prophet's beard) are on display in a special chamber.

More
Jama Masjid
tips & insights

Creation

The Jama Masjid was built in 1656 by Shah Jahan, India's most illustrious and extravagant Mughal emperor. He's the same ruler who built or significantly modified three other Hillman Wonder medal winners: Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Agra Fort.

Name

Jama is "congregational" and masjid is "mosque" in English.

Location in India