Jama Majid: Holy wonder!

A visit to the Red fort will surely take the tourist's eyes to one of the largest mosques of India, which stands across the fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The Mosque, known to be the holy grounds for hundreds of thousands of believers every year is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or "mosque commanding view of the world", the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad.

A calm respite from the surrounding mayhem, India’s largest mosque can hold a mind-blowing 25,000 people. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m high, and is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. The cabinet in the north gate of the Jama Masjid contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.

For a first time visitor, as I was, six years ago, the mosque doesn’t fail to impress with its religious aura and the political impact it had over the Mughal Rule. One cant, irrespective of religion or belief, help but bow down to pay respects to this piece of architectural perfection as it stands towering with the red fort, complete in its glory. The serenity that lies around the mosque is undeniably pacifying as one feels the holy presence of the sultanate and the millions of worshippers who come to the so called Friday Mosque to pray and preach. It is, of course, one of the most beautiful monuments left for eternity by Delhi's history and heritage.