Jama Masjid
Fatehpur Sikri, India's Unesco World Heritage Site
This sight is located in Agra, India. For travel information about Agra, read the Agra Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to India, read also the India Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
The Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri, also known as Jami Masjid, is one of the largest mosques in India. It was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571, with the supervision of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chishti and his descendants.
To accommodate the multitude of worshippers, a massive quadrangle was built in front of the main building, and bordered by covered corridors. The mosque consists of a central nave with a single dome, two colonnaded halls called hujra on its left and right. These halls are crowned with domes as well.
The quadrangular courtyard of Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid, along with all the heritage buildings in Fatehpur Sikri, was recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site since 1986. There are two entrances to the Jama Masjid. The main entrance is called Buland Darwaza, and is the biggest of the two. The other entrance, called Badshahi Darwaza is the royal entranceway used by Emperor Akbar to enter the mosque.
The tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti is also located within the Jama Masjid complex on the northern side of the courtyard.
The central nave with its domed ceiling
A corridor connects the central nave with the cloistered prayer chambers
A massive wall surrounds the quadrangular courtyard
Corridor along the south west wall of the courtyard
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