Jama Masjid, the holy Islamic monument, where the Muslims offer namaz and pray seek forgiveness from the almighty, is a center of attraction for anybody who is visiting the capital irrespective of their religious background. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the world. To understand its historic and religious importance, we decided to experience it on our own. We started our journey at 6.30 in the morning via Delhi Metro. As we exited at the Jama Masjid Metro Station, we found ourselves in rather dingy environment. But as we started walking towards the Masjid, we found ourselves in the middle of a beautiful little market with qawwalis playing in little shops attracting the attention of tourists, specifically of those who had come from the other countries of the world. As we climbed the stairs to enter the Masjid complex, we noticed that the main Masjid area was surrounded by wide verandas, guarded by high walls surrounding a huge aesthetically designed door. The grandiosity and quality of the craftsmanship of this monument reflect the advanced art and culture of the Mughal period, which is evident in the structure, mosaic tiles and paintings that decorate the Masjid, where the faithful could be seen offering their morning namaz.
Jama Masjid, right after dawn on a winter morning
The message of Islam as a religion which propagates peace, love and salvation was powerfully conveyed by the scenes we witnessed at the Jama Masjid. We experienced a sense of serenity as we walked around the Masjid. We decided to climb the Minar, so we bought tickets and started climbing the steep stairs. Halfway through, we could catch glimpses of the teeming multitudes settled around the Jama Masjid, as the sun rays scattered over the veranda of the Masjid. The lighting and ventilation of the Minar was really commendable. On reaching the top, we could see a bird’s eye view of the entire town. There wasn’t much space to stand and admire for too long, as there was a crowd of onlookers, so we had to start our downward journey. After reaching the base, we sat beside the pond to soak in the positivity. For a moment, we forgot all the worries and just soaked in the mood conveyed by the qawwali. It was truly blissful.
The royal entrance of the holy monument
By :
Shruti Chawla
Rediscovering Delhi 