Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid has a popular official name, Taj-ul-Masajid. People often pronounce it as Taj-ul-Masjid or Taj-ul-Masaajid in separate parts of the country. This famous mosque is situated in Bhopal city. During day time, it is used as a Madrasah or religious school for Islam. It is counted as one of the largest mosques of the Asian continent.

It is counted as the most impressive structure of the city. The meaning of Taj-ul-Masjid is ‘the crown of mosques’. The building of the mosque truly represents a splendid spectacle. It is worthy of a visit for all the tourists coming to Bhopal. The mosque is having a miraculous charm due to its white-colored huge domed turrets and pink façade. Jama Masjid, Bhopal has three other huge sized bulbous domes, beautiful marble flooring, eye-catching pillars and airy courtyard which all together add a bit conspicuousness and natural charm to the building.

Things to Do:

You can visit –

• Lower Lake

• Sair Sapata

• Fish Aquarium

• Van Vihar National Park

• Dhai seedi Masjid

History:

Jama Masjid was founded during the reign of Mughal Badshah Bahadur Shah Zafar. The mosque has been constructed with the commissions paid by the third rulers of Shah Jahan Begum of Bhopal, who was the wife of Baqi Mohammad Khan. The construction method continued after her death and managed by her daughter, Sultan Jahan Begum. But sue to lack of money he failed to finish the construction during her lifetime and the war of 1857 started. Finally, in 1971, Allama Mohammad Imran Khan Nadwi Azhari and Maulana Sayed Hashmat Ali Sahab restarted the construction of Jama Masjid, Bhopal, with their joint effort. It got finally finished in 1985.

The eastern gate of the mosque was built again using the ancient motifs on it which were a gift from the Emir of Kuwait

Architecture:

The color of the exterior of the Jama Masjid is reddish-pink. A marvelous façade is flanked by white-colored domes and two 18-storied minarets. Other than these domes, you can notice three other round-shaped domes in the mosque. Its major hallway is designed with marble floorings and good-looking pillars. Altogether it likes the Jama Masjid of Delhi and the Badshahi Mosque of Lahore.

The mosque includes a huge courtyard and a tank in the middle of it. The double-storied gateway is flanked by 9 multifold and 4 archways and it leads to the major prayer hall of the building. The prayer hall includes the Quibla wall that is carved with trellis work screens and 11 carved arches. The ceilings are held by the massive pillars decorated with lavish petal patterns.

Festival:

Jama Masjid organizes a special event every year, named as Alami Tabighi Ijtima. The famous celebration of a three-day-long Ijtima congregation brings a huge gathering of Islamic people here from all over the world, in the quiet premises of the spectacular shrine.

Though, in the last couple of years, due to lack of spaces for the disciples, this event has not been organized here. And, the venue has been changed and transferred to Ghazipura, near the Bhopal city.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Jama Masjid is between October and March. During the winter you can better enjoy visiting the masjid during a call to prayer for Islams or dawn time azans. Remember the mosque allows no entry for the other religious people during the Islamic prayer times i.e. 6.30-7.30 AM, 1-2 PM and 4-5 PM.

How to Reach?

Bhopal city is well connected with all the other parts of India through railways, roadways, and airways. You can take a flight from your city to Bhopal airport, which is only 15 km away from the city. Or, board a train to reach Bhopal Railway station. All sorts of public and private buses are available for reaching Bhopal. From the airport, railway station or bus stop, you can easily hire any public transport to reach Jama Masjid. The mosque is situated in the Loha Bazaar from where you can get all sorts of local transportations easily.

Nearby Attractions:

When you go for visiting Jama Masjid, Bhopal, you can also visit ‘Dhai Siddi ki Maszid’ nearby it, which is known as the smallest mosque of the Asian continent.

So, plan your visit carefully and smartly to enjoy Jama Masjid, Bhopal at its best!