Jama Masjid in Agra
Travel to India > Agra > Jama Masjid in AgraLocation:
Jama Masjid in Agra is opposite the Agra fort and overlooking the Agra Fort Railway Station in Agra.
Significance:
Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. Built in 1571 A.D, it is the most notable building in Fatehpur Sikri. The mosque contains a vast courtyard. At the corner on the right hand side is the Jammat Khana hall next to which is Zenana Rauza, the Tomb of the Royal Ladies. The Jama Mashjid is also known as the Jami Masjid or "Friday Mosque". It is one of the largest Mosques in India.
Location of Agra
History
Agra was the capital of India at the time of the Moghuls during the 16th & 17th centuries. The Mosque was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 which he dedicated to his favorite daughter, Jahanara Begum. There was a spacious, octagonal in shape Tripolia Chowk which existed between the Jama Masjid and the Delhi gate of the Agra Fort.
Structure
Jama Masjid Mosque is a simply built mosque of red sandstones with little white marble decoration and blue color painted walls and ceilings. It's a huge mosque in the center of Agra enveloped by a great bazaar.
Jama Masjid is beautifully decorated with inlaid stones, paintings, carvings and glazed tiles. The building comprises of pillared Dalan, a beautiful 'Chhajja' and the 'Chhatri' on the roof. The important Iwan of the building is rather built in a simple design and contains a central arch decorated with geometrical designs.
The gateway to the fort, Buland Darwaza is the main entrance to the mosque. The other entrance is Badshahi Darwaza, which is located towards the east.
The Mosque stands on a high plinth ascended by stairs with five arched entrances towards the courtyard. The mosque is crowned with three large sandstone domes distinguished by their zigzag bands of marbles. The mosque is proportionally balanced structure with a courtyard surrounded by cloisters on all its three sides and the prayer chamber towards its western edge. The engrailed arches of the cloisters support the pillars of the building.
Wonderful Sight from Jama Masjid
The mosque is one of the city's main landmarks, and serves as a useful reference point when exploring the crowded bazaars that sprawl from its base. These are laid out in a Mogul plan that's barely altered since ages.
Entry Fee:
The entry to the Mosque is free.
Places Nearby to Visit:
Some other notable places in Agra to visit are as follows:
- Taj Mahal:
Agra is home to one of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural brilliance of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
- Agra Fort:
Built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of wonderful buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-I-Aam, Diwani-I-Khas and Musanman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan died during his imprisonment beside Jahangirs place, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal.
- Itmad-Ud Daula:
This is towards the north of the fort and is located across the river Yamuna is an exemplary of the brilliance of Mughal architecture. The Itmad -Ud -Daula gifted by the Empress Noor Jehan as a memorial to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg , is a beautifully ornamented structure with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens.
- Sikandara:
Sikandra, a suburb of Agra, only 13 km away from the Agra Fort was the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
- Fatehpur Sikri:
Magnificent gateways and simple palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural games are the places for his queens - Jodha Bai, Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect in itself.
Agra is easily reachable by air, railways and bus services. As such, Jama Masjid can be easily accessible by all means of communication. Once you have arrived in Agra, you can take a bus, taxi or any other vehicle to reach this point.