Jama Masjid: The Great Mosque of Old Delhi | India Purple Travel Guide

(map, reviews, website)

The Jama Masjid (meaning 'Friday Mosque') is the largest and arguably the most magnificent mosque in India. Dominating the skyline of Old Delhi, it stands as the majestic spiritual counterpoint to the Red Fort's imperial power. Visiting this massive structure offers a powerful experience, giving you an immediate sense of scale, spiritual devotion, and history that few other places can match.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

How to get to Jama Masjid from the Red Fort

Once you leave the Red Fort, take a bicycle-rickshaw to Jama Masjid, or walk.
If you take a bicycle rickshaw, make sure to negotiate the price beforehand. They will try very hard to sell you a tour of Chandni Chowk, of next destination after the mosque Jama Masjid, but you don’t need that as we will be going on a self-guided tour of Chandni Chowk in a few minutes.
The way from the Red Fort to the mosque goes through pedestrian-only parts on the fringes of Chandni Chowk, providing a fantastic view of what you will see later.

To set expectations: Jama Masjid is a great mosque, but to get there your bicycle-rickshaw driver needs to navigate narrow, congested pedestrian walkways, and he will suddenly stop at a gate between many food and other stalls. Through the gate you will see a tall staircase that leads up to a large red gate, which looks totally different from everything you have seen on photos. Yes, you are the right place – the photos of the flat wide-open plaza are photos from the inside of the mosque, and not from the outside.

Why You Should Visit

While the Red Fort illustrates Mughal opulence, the Jama Masjid showcases the depth of Mughal piety and architectural ambition.

• Sense of Scale: The courtyard is vast enough to hold over 25,000 worshippers, making you feel dwarfed by the sheer size of the complex.

• Architectural Purity: It is one of the most perfectly proportioned and preserved examples of Mughal religious architecture.

• The View: Climbing the southern minaret provides the single best panoramic view of the chaotic, fascinating density of Old Delhi and a unique perspective on the Red Fort.

• Spiritual Energy: Visiting outside of prayer times still allows you to absorb the atmosphere of a major spiritual landmark that has been in continuous use for over 350 years.

History and Importance

The mosque was commissioned by the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, the same builder of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. It was the final, defining architectural project of his new capital, Shahjahanabad.

• Construction: The mosque took six years and over 5,000 workers to complete, being inaugurated in 1656 by a cleric from Bukhara (now Uzbekistan).

• Significance: It was the Jami Masjid—the congregation mosque—where the Emperor and his court would gather for the Friday noon prayers. It was, and remains, the official royal mosque of Delhi, lending immense religious authority to the ruler.

• National Landmark: The vast scale of the mosque was intended to symbolize the spiritual pre-eminence of the Mughal Empire.

Architecture and Design

The mosque is a masterful blend of red sandstone and white marble, strategically contrasted to create a dramatic visual effect, a signature of Shah Jahan's architectural style.

• Materials and Plan: The entire structure sits on a massive, elevated stone platform, which separates it from the noise and street level of the surrounding city. The entire complex is oriented towards the Holy City of Mecca.

• The Courtyard (Sahn): The colossal courtyard, paved with red sandstone, is enclosed by colonnades (cloisters) punctuated by three imposing gates: the Eastern Gate (historically reserved for the Emperor), the Northern Gate, and the Southern Gate.

• The Prayer Hall: The main prayer hall is adorned with five arched entrances and topped by three striking onion-shaped white marble domes, striped with black marble lines.

• Minarets: Flanking the main hall are two magnificent, tapering 40-meter-high minarets. These towers are constructed from a blend of red sandstone and white marble, ensuring they remain the tallest architectural features in this part of Old Delhi. They are accessed by winding, narrow staircases.

Essential Visitor Information

Visiting the mosque requires adherence to specific protocols, primarily due to its active status as a place of worship.

• Admission Fee : Free for Indian Nationals, but international tourists are charged a ₹500 entry fee.

• Access for Non-Muslims: Non-Muslims are welcome but are not allowed inside during the main prayer times. Visiting is generally permitted from 7:00 AM to noon, and then from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

• Prayer Restrictions: The mosque is closed to tourists during all prayer times, especially the main Friday (Jumma) noon prayer, which can restrict access for several hours. Plan your visit for the early morning or mid-afternoon.

• Mandatory Dress Code: Visitors must dress modestly. Both men and women must cover their shoulders, chest, and legs. Women must also cover their heads with a scarf or shawl. Rental garments are usually available at the entrance, but bringing your own is advisable.

• Footwear: Shoes must be removed before entering the courtyard.

• Photography Fee: We heard that there is usually a small fee levied for carrying and using a camera inside the complex, but this does not seem to apply to cell phones.

• Minaret Climb: The climb up the Southern Minaret is permitted for a small fee, offering the best views, but the staircase is narrow and the ascent is strenuous.

What to See Inside

The primary sights include the architectural shell and the spiritual ambiance, but look for a few specific details:

• The Wazir’s Seat: Just outside the main prayer hall, there is a raised marble platform from which the Wazir (Chief Minister) would give the call to prayer.

• Relics Chamber (Not always open): The Northern Gate entrance is said to house a collection of relics of Prophet Muhammad and the Quran, though access is often restricted.

• Intricate Calligraphy: The walls of the prayer hall and the arches contain detailed inscriptions from the Quran in the Persian and Arabic scripts, acting as both decoration and instruction.

Back to the Day 2 Walking Tour

Where do you want to go now?

Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:

Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later: