---
title: "Jama Masjid: The Mosque of Delhi"
description: "The Jama Masjid Mosque, born out of a hazy dream of Emperor Shah Jahan, became a reality and became the largest Islamic worship space in the Mughal Empire. History of Jama..."
url: https://laindiaentusmanos.com/en/jama-masjid-delhi/
date: 2023-08-15
modified: 2025-04-11
author: "Isabel"
image: https://laindiaentusmanos.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/jama-masjid-delhi.jpg
categories: ["Delhi", "Monuments"]
tags: ["Sights"]]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Jama Masjid: The Mosque of Delhi

**The Jama Masjid Mosque**, which was born out of **a confused dream of Emperor Shah Jahan**, became a reality and became the largest Islamic worship space in the Mughal Empire.

## History of Jama Masjid

The Masjid-i Jahān-Numā Mosque, popularly known as Jama Masjid, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the imperial city of Shakhahanabad between 1644 and 1656.

Legend has it that one night the emperor dreamed of a beautiful and majestic mosque of which he was amazed but unfortunately did not remember its design when he awoke. A few days later strolling through the narrow streets of Old Delhi he found a beggar drawing on the ground and was surprised to discover that the drawing was the mosque he dreamed of. Thus was born the Jama Masjid Mosque, **the largest Muslim worship center in India** at that time.

For its construction, an area of 1,200 m² was used, and it was built with red sandstone and white marble. The whole complex was built on a rise in the ground, so that **to enter you have to climb 30 steps. From there comes its name which means «mosque that dominates the view of the world »** and I must tell you that from the courtyard of the mosque there is an incredible view of the chaotic Old Delhi.

Shah Jahan spared no expense, the project cost one million rupees and it took more than 5000 workers to erect it.

(https://laindiaentusmanos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/patio-mezquita-jama-masjid.jpg)

The complex has three entrance gates to give access to the believers. The main entrance (Gate 1) is preceded by 35 steps and is the most opulent entrance. The arched roof has a carved honeycomb design. This gate was exclusively for the entrance of the emperor and years later during the British Raj for the entrance of the Viceroy.

**The north gate** of the mosque has thirty-nine steps and was intended for the nobles. On the other hand, the south** entrance** has 33 steps and was intended for the entry of common and unranked men. Today you can enter indistinctly by any of the 3 but I recommend that you enter by the main one as it is the most emblematic.

Once inside, there is **an imposing courtyard that can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers**, keep in mind that the complex holds 85,000 people. In the center of the courtyard is the ablution pool for purification rituals before entering the sacred space.

(https://laindiaentusmanos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/estanque-abluciones-jama-masjid.jpg)

 

The complex has four towers and two minarets of 40 meters high. The two minarets have 5 floors with their respective balconies and 120 steps to reach the top. **The views from the top are spectacular as there is a breathtaking panoramic view of the city (https://laindiaentusmanos.com/chandni-chowk/) :)**.

!(https://laindiaentusmanos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/vistas-minarete-jama-masjid.jpg)

 

**The Jama Masjid Mosque was the emperor's last project before he fell ill and was imprisoned by his own son in (https://laindiaentusmanos.com/fuerte-de-agra/). His last work and one of the most important of the time.

Throughout history the mosque has suffered several incidents such as the explosion of 2006 or the bombing of 2010. Currently, this area is heavily policed.

I have not told you but the Jama Masjid was also used as a military post during several years of British rule, but fortunately it has returned to its original purpose as a religious center.

 

## Visiting Jama Masjid in Delhi

**The Friday Mosque or Jama Masjid is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city so I recommend you to put it on your list of priorities. It is also just 15 minutes walk from (https://laindiaentusmanos.com/fuerte-rojo-delhi/) so you can combine the visit.

#### When to visit Jama Masjid

It can be visited at any time of the year, but in the months of May to June in Delhi it is very hot and a bit oppressive.

Regarding the time of day, **I recommend that you visit the mosque early in the morning** as there are fewer people and the light is better for photos.

Whenever you can, **avoid visiting on Fridays as it is the day of prayer and tends to become a hive of people**. Although maybe that's what you want to experience:)

By the way, **visiting the mosque and Old Delhi during Ramadan is quite an experience**. During the day it is quiet but the moment they break the fast all the establishments offer their delicacies and fill up.

(https://laindiaentusmanos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mezquita-jama-masjid-1.jpg)

 

## How to get to the Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi

**To get there by metro: **the nearest station is **Jama Masjid** and has direct access to the mosque through the main gate No. 2 (purple line). Another option is the **Chawri Bazaar station** (yellow line) which is barely 500m away.

**To arrive by train: **the nearest train station is **ISBT Kashmere Gate**. It is at a distance of 3.5km, best to take a tuk tuk or cab from there.

Another option is to directly take a cab or tuk tuk with Ola Cabs App from your location.

 

## Practical information about Jama Masjid

**Hours:** from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm

**Price:** access to the mosque is free but if you want to climb the minaret you will have to pay 100INR.

**Camera & video:** you must pay a supplement of 300INR to enter with cameras (according to the sign at the entrance).

**Food & drinks:** food is not allowed but you can bring your bottle of water.

**Tripods are not allowed in the resort.

**What to wear:** You must dress decently as you are in a religious place. Women should cover their legs, shoulders and head. Rental robes are available at the entrance. You will have to take off your shoes before entering the complex, I recommend you to bring a bag to keep them but there is also a stand at the entrance to leave them, but you will have to tip the guy who guards them.

**Guided tour:** at the entrance and inside the mosque there are always a lot of very insistent guides. I recommend that you don't use their services and if you want a guide you should hire one in advance as in many cases they are quite annoying.

**Tips: **remember that you are in a place of worship and you must follow the rules and be respectful of the traditions. **Do not miss the visit to the minaret as it is well worth it. You will have to climb about 100 narrow stairs and there is almost no space so be prepared for some friction with other visitors both going up and down...it is a super narrow space. Once at the top you will have the best views of Old Delhi :)

(https://delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/tourist_place/jama_masjid.jsp)