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Delhi’s Largest Mosque. A visit to Jama Masjid

01 Jama Masjid, Delhi (16)

The great mosque of Old Delhi, said to be the largest in India, has a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 worshipers.  Construction on the mosque was begun in 1644 by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who also built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort; it was to be his last big architectural project.

The mosque adjoins the market area of Chawri Bazar.  It rests atop a small hill has three entry gates, four towers, and two 40 m-high minarets (one of which you can climb for a small fee).  The mosque faces west, towards Mecca.  It is constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble, and more than 5000 artisans worked on it.   The roof of the …

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“Pic of the Week”, January 12, 2018: Pigeons at the Mosque, Delhi

00 Jama Masjid, Delhi (149)

Built more than 350 years ago, Jama Masjid remains the largest mosque in Delhi and is able to accommodate up to 25,000 for prayers.  Situated on a hill in the old city, it’s one of the more popular tourist attractions in Delhi.

One of the people taking care of the mosque also looked after the large population of pigeons that flew around the minarets and dome.  He provided a large amount of grain and water to feed them, and carefully looked after their grain with a hand broom, keeping it in a neat pile.  

Pet-keeper of the mosque, so to speak.  

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance)

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