Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

About

History

The Jama Masjid was built by Emperor Akbar as part of the Fatehpur Sikri complex. The place was also known as 'Jami Masjid'. It is said that the mosque took almost 6 years to complete and employed around 5,000 workers. The structure is said to have been built under the supervision of the saint Salim Chisti.

Location

The location of Jama Masjid is Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. It is located right in the centre of Fatehpur Sikri and is close to the western gateway of the Agra fort. One has to enter Buland Darwaza to visit the place. It is very close to the Agra railway station and the Delhi Gate of the Agra Fort.

Architecture

As one enters the place from the grand Buland Darwaza, one witnesses the magnificent Jama Masjid, which is a mosque that is placed on a platform that is elevated. The mosque has five main entrances to the praying area. The walls comprise of delicate and intricate carvings and inscription taken from the Holy Quran. The exterior is built with attractive red sandstone and white marble with detailed finishing. The center courtyard is vast and open, and can accommodate almost 25,000 people at a time.

To the right is the Jammat Khana hall and next to it is Zenana Rauza, which was the tomb of the royal ladies of the court. The main attraction is the tomb of the sacred Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti, who prophesied that Akbar will have a son who will succeed him. The whole architecture is said to be Persian in its make. The interiors are designed artistically and adorned with paintings and floral designs. The attractive three majestic sandstone domes are poised well and add beauty to the structure. The domes comprise vibrant coloured tiles with inscription on it.

Best time to visit

One can visit the place on all days of the week, from 7:00 a.m. in the morning to 6:00 p.m. in the evening. There is no entry fee. It takes around two hours to see the complete structure.

The best time to visit is from October to March. Winter begins in November and can be pleasant during the day time. Nights are quite chilly. Summer begins from March and can get really hot from the months of April to June.

Want to know more about other monuments in Agra and tourist reviews, check :

• Taj mahal
• Agra Fort
• Buland Darwaza
• Itmad-ud-Daula
• Fatehpur Sikri

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