India is a land of many different religions, cultures and traditions that somehow beautifully co-exist in the country. These traditions are reflected in the form of festivals we celebrate and our different lifestyles. One way to witness all the heritage is by visiting monuments, buildings and structures that showcase the world of a bygone era.
In this article, we will focus on the stunning mosques present in India that were built by many powerful rulers in the past. These mosques are spread across many regions of our country. So pick a place and visit these stunning structures.
Hazratbal Masjid, Srinagar
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Nestled on the banks of the mesmerising Dal Lake, Hazratbal Mosque is a shrine in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The shrine houses a relic, i.e., a strand of hair that is believed to have belonged to Muhammad. A legend believes that it was brought to India by a descendant of Muhammad, Syed Abdullah.
Some of the other places you can visit in Srinagar include the stunning Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Char Chinar, to name a few.
Nagina Masjid, Agra
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Situated in the magnanimous Agra Fort, the Nagina Masjid is a beautiful mosque that is built completely out of white marble. It is a small structure that was constructed exclusively for the women of Agra Fort's royal family.
Another mosque is built close by called Moti Masjid, which is also a stunning structure that you can visit along with the magnificent Agra Fort. Agra is spread with numerous other places of interest, like Taj Mahal, Khas Mahal, etc., that are definitely worth a visit.
Khirki Masjid, Delhi
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Khirki Masjid literally means masjid of windows. It is built in a quadrangular shape and as a fortress in a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. It was built during the Tughlaq dynasty, between 1351 to 1388, by Khan-i-Jahan Juan Shah who was the prevailing prime minister of the empire.
The masjid has 4 courtyards, towers adorning the corners of the mosque and two floors all built in stone. It is one of the rare mosques in North India built in the Delhi Sultanate period that is mostly covered.
Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad
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Makkah Masjid, often called Mecca Masjid is an ancient mosque that was built by the fifth ruler of Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. The king commissioned for the bricks of the mosque to be exclusively made of the soil from Mecca, which is the most revered pilgrimage place from Islam.
It is a glorious mosque that used to be the heart of the city built by the king. It is located close to Laad Bazaar and Charminar; therefore, don't forget visit these iconic places as well, when in Hyderabad.
Beemapally Mosque, Kerala
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Beemapally Mosque is located near the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The mosque is sometimes referred to as Beemapally Dargah Shareef. Apart from being a place of worship, the mosque houses the tomb of Syedunnisa Beema Beevi.
She was a Muslim woman who was believed to have divine powers. In order to honour Beema Beevi, a festival takes place which attracts thousands of visitors and pilgrims.
Champaner, Gujarat
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The historical city of Champaner in Gujarat is home to the enormous Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a World Heritage Site that is spread across an area of 3,280 acres.
In this site, you can find numerous spectacular looking mosques namely, Jami Masjid, Nagina Masjid, Bawaman Mosque, Kevda Masjid, to name a few. You can also walk through other glorious monuments of Champaner like the Kalika Mata Temple located at the hilltop, Jain temple, etc.