Jama Masjid, Agra

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Sight Address : Jama Masjid in Agra is opposite the Agra fort and overlooking the Agra Fort Railway Station. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Jama Masjid, Agra is opposite the Agra fort and overlooking the Agra Fort Railway Station. The Jama Mashjid is also popularly knowns as the Jami Masjid or “Friday Mosque”. It is one of the larger Mosque in India.Jami Masjid Mosque is a very simple mosque of red sandstone with little white marble decoration and blue colour paint wall and ceilings. It’s a huge mosque in the centre of Agra surrounded by a great bazaar. The mosque was completely empty of any tourist, only one man praying and the little children at the Madrasa (Koran school). The Mosque Stands on a high plinth approached by stairs, and with five arched entrances to the courtyard, the mosque is crowned by three large sandstone domes distinguished by their zigzag bands of marble. It has well-balanced proportions and a courtyard surrounded by cloisters on three of its sides and the prayer chamber on its western side. The cloisters have engrained arches supported on pillars. All the bulbous domes have inverted lotus and kalash finials on the top and have narrow zigzag courses of white marble alternated by broad bands of red stone. There is a fountain with four kiosks in its corners in the centre of the courtyard. Along the wings of the main prayer wall, panels of beautifully inlaid sandstone similar to those decorating the main gateway of the Taj Mahal, add an appropriately feminine touch. Still in use today, the mosque is one of the city’s main landmarks, and serves as a useful reference point when exploring the crowded bazaars that sprawl from its base.

Jama Masjid Agra

HistoryEdit

Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 and dedicated to his favourite daughter, Jahanara Begum. There was a spacious, octagonal Tripolia Chowk which existed between the Jama Masjid and the Delhi gate of the Agra Fort. This Tropolia was destroyed in order to create the Agra Fort Railway Station. The cloisters have engrailed arches supported on pillars. The main entrance is through the eastern side. The prayer chamber has a façade with a broad arched iwan in its centre and is adorned with slender turrets alternated with kiosks. Its dome is the largest and highest of the three domes crowning the sanctuary.
All the bulbous domes have inverted lotus and kalash finials on the top and have narrow zigzag courses of white marble alternated by broad bands of red stone. There is a fountain with four kiosks in its corners in the centre of the courtyard. The interiors of the western wall have a beautiful mihrab and pulpit in white marble. The Persian inscription in white marble inlaid with black stone on the archway of the central portal is in praise of Jahanara and Shah Jehan. The pristine beauty of the mosque must have been awesome as indicated by its comparison with Baitul-Mamur, the fabulous mosque of rubies and pearls situated in the fourth sky. It is said that once surrounded by a market place called Tripolia set in an octagonal (Muthamman) Chowk that was built between the Delhi Gate and the Jama Masjid. But, it was later destroyed in 1871-73 to acquire space for laying down the railway tracks for the city. It required six years and 5,000 workers to finish.It was made by using red sandstone and marble.

Must SeeEdit

Popular

Visiting TimeEdit

6.00 AM to 5.00PM

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

Winter is the best time to visit, days are cool and sunny and ideal for sight seeing.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1-2 hrs.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : Rs.100/-

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : Yes Edit

Guide is not mandatory.But,It is advisable to take a guide.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

Rahi Tourist Bungalow – Agra ; Raja Ki Mandi Rly. Station, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 841421 India ; Ph/M – 1860 500 2121 ; Food Serve – N.A.

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : This place of Agra is well connected by road and is easily accessible by taxis. Local taxis are also available at a reasonable rate.

Bus : Bus services in Agra are provide by Agra Municipal Corporation. UP State Road Transport Corporation does run some air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned low-floor buses within Agra which run on specific routes including M G Road.

Train : Agra is a major railway junction and has several railway stations, with the Agra Cantonment Railway station being the main one. Indian Railways connects Agra with all major and minor cities in India. The hired taxi, tempo, cycle-rickshaw and auto-rickshaw will helps touries to reach her. Prepaid autos and taxis from railway station are easily available.

Air : Agra’s Kheria Airport is located 8 km away from the heart of the city. It will cost about Rs 150 from airport to city by taxi. Agra is connected to Varanasi, Delhi and Khajuraho by air. For other cities, tourists need to take the flight to Delhi. After getting down at Kheria airport taxis and tongas are available at the airport to reach this destination.

Others : Travelling around the town of Agra can be done through a multitude of ways, including electric buses, Tongas, tempos, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.
Cycle Rickshaw:
Cycle rickshaws are available aplenty in the town of Agra. Travelling through a cycle rickshaw can be quite time consuming, although this is a very cheap mode of travel with charges hovering around Rs 5 to 10.
Tonga:
Tongas are horse drawn carriages that run throughout the town. Tonga charges are very low too, and you can opt for a Tonga ride as it is faster than a cycle rickshaw ride. Charges will range around Rs 5 to 15.
Tempo :
Tempos are also available, and these are shared vehicles which can be more comfortable than buses for slightly elevated rates. Tempo rates will vary from Rs 5 to 10. These are a safe mode of travel and can be taken up during night time.

Things to CarryEdit

Carry drinking water, camera, sunglasses & a hat or shades for protection from the harsh Sun.

Safety / WarningEdit

During winters make sure to travel with proper woollen clothes as nights in Agra is pretty chilling during winter.Do not accept any type of food from strangers while travelling on trains and buses.