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Jama Masjid
is one of the largest
mosques in India and the final
architectural extravagance of Mughal
emperor Shah Jahan. It's also known
as 'Masjid-i-Jahan Numa', 'Jahan'
means 'World' and Numa means
'Visible'. It is situated some
quarter of a mile from the Red Fort.
It was designed as Emperor
Shahjahan's principal mosque. The
sprawling esplanade, which separates
it from the arterial road is a
fascinating leisure ground.
A Religious
Masterpiece - Jama Masjid
The construction work continued for
six years, ending in 1644. The
structure was placed on a high
platform so that its magnificent
facade would be visible from all the
adjoining areas. It's an austere,
yet, a beautiful building. Just like
other buildings of Shahjahanabad,
this one was also built with red
sandstone. White marble has also
been used extensively, specially in
the three domes and has been inlaid
with stripes of black.
The pulpit is one of its best
features, being carved out of a
single block of marble. Built by a
workforce of 5,000 people, the
mosque's three gateways, four towers
and two minarets are testimony to
the fine architecture of that
period. The slender minarets grace
the facade, one on each side, rising
to a height of 130-feet. The eastern
gate was reserved for the Emperor
when he used to arrive here every
Friday and on Id.
A stadium like courtyard greets
the visitors as they enter this
mosque in the Old Delhi area. Wide
staircases and arched gateways are
the hallmark of this popular mosque.
There is a small shrine within that
houses the relic of the Prophet as
well as the Holy Koran. Its
courtyard has a capacity to hold
nearly 25,000 worshippers and is
also open to the general public.
The Mosque was based on the plan
and design of Ostad Khalil, the then
great Sculptor. Emperor Shahjahan
built Jama Masjid at the cost of Rs
10 crore and it can be called as the
replica of Moti Masjid in Agra. The
premises of the South Minar are
1076-sq-ft wide where 25,000
devotees at a time may sit together
for namaz.
Jama Masjid also comprise of a
great treasure that has been kept in
the northeast corner of the white
shrine- a hair of the beard of
Hazrat Mahmmad, his used chappal, a
chapter of Koran taken from its
original holy book, the canopy of
his tombstone and the foot print of
Muhammad on the stone.
Main Imam -
Jama Masjid
The main imam of this Jama Masjid is
the direct descendent of the
original and first Imam appointed by
Emperor Shahjahan and till now there
is no break in its descendency.
People of other religions are not
allowed in between 12-30-2-00pm. One
is allowed to enter the mosque
bare-footed, head covered and
wearing lungi, - these are the norms
visitors have to follow and are
available on payment. For taking
photographs one has to buy tickets
first.
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Lotus
Temple:
It
is
a
lotus
shaped
structure
made
of
marble,
cement,
dolomite
and
sand.
The
temple
is
located
in
Kalkaji
in
the
south
of
Delhi.
You
can
visit
the
Lotus
Temple
on
your
tour
to
New
Delhi.
The
temple
is
open
to
all
faiths
and
is
an
ideal
place
for
meditation
and
obtaining
peace
and
tranquility.
It
is
a
very
recent
architectural
marvel
of
the
Bahai
faith.
The
lotus
shape
of
the
temple
represents
the
Manifestation
of
God,
and
is
also
a
symbol
of
purity
and
tenderness.
Its
significance
is
deeply
rooted
in
the
minds
and
hearts
of
the
Indians.
In
the
epic
poem
Mahabharata,
the
Creator
Brahma
is
described
as
having
sprung
from
the
lotus
that
grew
out
of
Lord
Vishnu's
navel
when
that
deity
lay
absorbed
in
meditation,
there
is
a
deep
and
universal
reverence
for
the
lotus,
which
is
regarded
as
a
sacred
flower
associated
with
worship
throughout
many
centuries.
Gurdwara
Bangla
Sahib:
This
pilgrimage
center
in
New
Delhi
is
situated
in
a
magnificent
and
spacious
bungalow
owned
by
Raja
Jai
Singh
Amber
who
commanded
great
respect
and
honor
in
the
court
of
Mughal
Emperor
Aurangzeb.
The
eighth
Guru
Sri
Harkishan
had
stayed
here
for
a
few
months
as
guest
of
Raja
Jai
Singh.
Since
then
it
has
become
a
place
of
pilgrimage
for
both,
Hindus
and
Sikhs.
Pilgrims
visit
the
Gurdwara
to
pay
their
respect
to
the
memory
of
Guru
Harkrishan,
nominated
as
successor
by
the
seventh
Guru,
Sri
Har
Rai.
Birla
Mandir:
Birla
Mandir
is
commonly
known
as
Lakshmi
Narayan
Temple.
It
is
 a
famous
Hindu
temple,
constructed
in
the
year
1938
by
Raja
Baldev
Das
Birla
and
Mahatama
Gandhi
inaugurated
it.
You
can
visit
the
popular
pilgrimage
destination
of
Birla
Mandir,
the
shrine
that
is
dedicated
to
Goddess
Lakshmi
and
Lord
Vishnu
and
is
located
in
the
heart
of
Delhi.
People
of
all
religion
and
faiths
can
worship
in
the
temple
but
one
can
enter
the
temple
only
bare
foot.
The
temple
incorporates
numerous
images
and
idols
depicting
several
gods
and
goddess
of
Indian
mythology.
Durga
and
Shiva
are
the
other
major
deities
in
the
Birla
Mandir
temple
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