Delhi, NCT The Moti Mosque is part of the architectural legacy of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the son of famed builder Shah Jahan. Like his father, Aurangzeb ruled a great realm that covered most of India, and like his father he endeavored to adorn many of its cities with civic improvements and architectural marvels. Though he did not rival his father in the latter, he did … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2015
JAMA MASJID – DELHI
Delhi, NCT Many cities grew in magnificence under the reign of Shah Jahan, but few benefited as much from his patronage as the city of Delhi. Delhi, which had previously served as a capital during the age of the Sultanate of Delhi, was established as the capital of the Mughal Empire by Shah Jahan in the early 17th century. The city was rebuilt with many new civic buildings and … [Read more...]
JAMA MASJID – AGRA
Agra, Uttar Pradesh The last great Turkic empire to arise in Central Asia was that of the Mughals, which at its height in the late Middle Ages dominated much of Afghanistan, Persia, Pakistan and India. The Mughal Empire reached its peak during the reign of Shah Jahan in the 17th century. Shah Jahan, who was largely responsible for expanding the Mughal Empire into India, made … [Read more...]
JAMA MASJID – AHMEDABAD
Ahmedabad, Gujarat The Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad, also known as the Jumma Mosque, was the largest mosque constructed in India prior to the arrival of the Mughals. Part of a fort complex built in the early 15th century, the Jumma Mosque is arguably the most magnificent mosque of the era. Other than its missing minarets, it is also one of finest surviving examples of pre-Mughal … [Read more...]
JAMA MASJID – SRINAGAR
Srinagar, Jammu Kashmir The Jama Masjid of Srinagar is one of the oldest mosques in India to carry that moniker. Aside from the various Dargahs built for various Sufi saints, it is in fact one of the oldest standing mosques in the country. Located in the extreme north of India, it is among a number of great mosques constructed under the auspices of the Delhi Sultanate during … [Read more...]
NIZAMUDDIN DARGAH
Delhi, NCT The Nizamuddin Dargah, or Shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya, is the oldest Muslim institution in Delhi and among the oldest Muslim shrines in India. Located at the heart of the very old and very busy Nizamuddin neighborhood, this venerable mosque is both a local center and a major destination for hundreds of thousands of Muslims every year. It draws even more visitors … [Read more...]
CHERAMAN JUMA MOSQUE
Methala, Kerala The Cheraman Juma Mosque is believed to be the oldest mosque in India, a claim that is not generally disputed by any potential rivals (although the current building dates from a later period). According to legend, it was established directly by a merchant and follower of the Prophet Muhammad just a few years before the Prophet’s death. Many Muslims honor it as … [Read more...]
CHAUMUKHA TEMPLE
Ranakpur, Rajasthan The Ranakpur Jain Temple, also known as the Chaumukha Temple, is neither the most sacred nor the most visited Jain temple in India. However, it is arguably the most magnificent. This immense, staggeringly beautiful white marble architectural masterpiece, nestled amidst lush green tropical rainforest, is a standout even by Indian standards. Dedicated to … [Read more...]
JAISALMER FORT TEMPLES
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan The Jain temples of Jaisalmer are among India’s more recent major Jain shrines. Located inside the massive and magnificent Jaisalmer Fortress, one of the most touristed places in Rajasthan, the Jain Temples here are among the most visited in India. There are a number of temples here, of which the Parshvanath and Shantinath are preeminent. As part of the … [Read more...]
DILWARA TEMPLES
Mount Abu, Rajasthan The area arount Mount Abu in southern Rajasthan has been a major center of Jain culture since the Middle Ages, and there are number of Jain temples at this ancient site. Among these is a complex of five temples collectively known as the Dilwara Temples. The Dilwara Temples are comsidered by many to be the most beautiful Jain temples in the world, and among … [Read more...]
