About Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid, another favorite tourist attraction is situated opposite the Red Fort in the capital city- Delhi. Built by Shah Jahan, the Jama Masjid exhibits another Mughal architectural splendor. The mosque is known to be one of the largest and oldest in India. The Jama Masjid is open to tourists on all days except the prayer intervals. At the mosque the tourists are requested to open their shoes and cover their feet and arms before entering Jama Masjid. It is done as an act of reverence for the Muslim faith. The Id-ul-Fitr and the Id-ul-Zoha are the two very special events attract tourists and devotees from all over the world.

The Jama Masjid is one of the oldest and largest mosques in India flaunting the Mughal architectural finesse. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1658 to be employed as the emperor's primal worship site. Situated in old Delhi the Jama Masjid imposes the Mughal architectural artifice and introduces the tourists to a distinct expression of the Mughal era' and creates another spot of tourist attraction. The chief architect of the mosque was Ustad Khalil. Jama Masjid is familiarly known as - Masjid-i-Jahan Numa which quintessentially means ‘the mosque that commands a view of the world'. ‘ Jama' means Friday – the holy day for the Muslims and hence the name ‘ Jama Masjid' was coined.

Jama Masjid stands on a raised platform and opens out to the city through the three double storied gates on the north, east and south which leads the tourists into the courtyard of the mosque. The eastern gate which is the largest was used by the royal family. Tourists are permitted to enter the mosque arena through the northern and the southern gates. The mosque is about 80 meters long and 27 meters wide and 130 feet in height. The Jama Masjid faces the west.

The roof of Jama Masjid is designed in white and black stripes of marble and the top is covered in gold. 25000 people can be accommodated in the 100 square meters courtyard.

The prayer hall is decorated with arched marble structures inscribed with detailed history of the mosque. The floor structure of Jama Masjid is similar to that of Moti Masjid in Agra. The northeast part of the mosque is considered to be very holy because of the elaboration of the Quran in deerskin and the relics of Muhammad – the prophet. The southern minaret offers a view of the entire expanse of old Delhi marking the locations of some of the very popular tourist attractions.

Climate

The summer season begins from April and ends in the month of June. During the summers the average maximum temperature is 40°C and minimum temperature is 25ºC. The monsoon arrives the city in early July and continues till the end of September. The winter extends from late November to February. The temperature in winters varies between 21°C to 5°C. January is the coldest month when the temerature drops to a minimum of 0 °C.

Transportation

• Air Delhi has an extensive network of international and domestic flights. All the major airlines in the world fly through Delhi and it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Domestic air links cover Delhi from all the major cities in the country.
• Train The Indian Railway with their modern and organized network connects Delhi to major and minor destination in India. There are three important railway stations in Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India, namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Rly. Station. Trains run from all the parts of the country to Delhi. For nearby places like Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gwalior, Bhopal, Lucknow and Kanpur, the Shatabdi Express is recommended.
• Bus Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport Corporation and Road Transport Corporations of the neighboring States provide frequent bus services through Air Conditioned, Deluxe and Ordinary Coaches. Buses from all the major places in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi. During summer months, air-conditioned coaches are recommended.
• Airports - Delhi has two airports. Indira Gandhi International Airport, is 20km away towards city in the same area. Palam is city bound Internal Terminal Airport. Between the two shuttle coach service is in operation. SBI is the banker of both the terminals, for hotel's booking ITDC and serving the tourists with information is Tourist Booth with round the clock service, besides there are other arrangements. Indira Gandhi links Delhi with the whole world. Flights of almost all Airways of the World come to Delhi besides Air India. IAC, Alliance Air, Vayudoot and such other Airlines serve from Palam to all parts of the country. They have Airbuses, Boeings, Dornier and other planes. From both the terminals, Ex-Servicemen Air Link Transport Service (EATS) brings passengers to city at cheap rate. On the way they stop on request. Delhi Transport Corporation's buses also bring Air passengers to New Delhi, Delhi Jn and Kashmiri Gate bus std. Passenger bus (780) runs from outside the Airport, Taxis (prepaid) is available.

Best Season

For Sightseeing, the best season to visit Delhi is between October to March. Summers in Delhi are very hot and it is not recommended to visit it during May, June or July.