Within the chaotic narrow streets of Old Delhi lies the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid, whose enormous courtyard has the capacity to hold 25,000 devotees. Built between 1644 and 1658, this sensational mosque was the last extravagnance commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, whose love for his wife resulted in the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra and zest for beauty and power built the Red Fort of New Delhi.
The Jama Masjid’s spectacular beauty resides in her masterful architecture of various curving archways, gates, minarets, towers and decorative carvings. Jama Masjid’s brilliant red-hued sandstone juxtaposed against white marble is equally as impressive especially on a sunny, bright day. It took over 6,000 workers, mostly slaves, to build the mosque and today it remains one of India’s crown jewels and an important place of worship.
The entrance is rather daunting as it is so vast inside, and it was so hot. It was 120 degrees farenheit that day and the rules of entering a mosque still applied. No shoes and we had to cover up in a rented robe.
Jennifer James and our guide walking towards the mosque on a rug to protect our feet from the burning red sandstone.
The mosque boasts four towers and two minarets reaching toward the sky.
As we approached the mosque and stepped inside, a sense of peace was overpowering as was a deep understanding of beauty.
Beautifully covered Qurʼans were available for those who wanted to pray.
The detail on the walls and ceilings was breathtaking.
The sacred lotus flower could be found engraved throughout the mosque.
The Kings Door.
Water spouts available for purification.
And as you left the peace and tranquility of the mosque, the hum and buzz of Old Delhi brought you back to earth. 
This post was written for this week’s Photo Challenge: Curves. I was in Delhi at the end of May for a social good blogging trip with Mom Bloggers for Social Good. To learn more about our trip, see hashtag #socialgoodmomsindia on Twitter or check out my earlier posts.
Nice set of curves.
Thanks! 🙂
Beautiful details…6,000 enslaved workers. Wow! What a contrast from inside the mosque to the hot city streets.
Yes, that is why I put that last photo there. Isn’t it crazy? Old Delhi is something else.
Wow your pictures are gorgeous!
Thanks!
Lovely photos, Nicole!!!
Thanks Lucy! 🙂
Truly beautiful, Nicole. Your details are exquisite. I really love that pile of beloved Qurans, too. 🙂
Thanks Jo! It was really a beautiful place.
Amazing work, Nicole! Your photos really capture the essence of Jama Masjid.
Thanks Jennifer! It was such a beautiful place!
A reblogué ceci sur invitango.
Thank you for the wonderful tour of Taj Mahal!
You’re welcome! This one is actually the Jama Masjid, made by the same shah as the Taj. 🙂
what a difference between inside or outside the building!
Yes indeed! It is quite a gorgeous place set right inside Old Delhi. What a contrast!
I can’t imagine a mosque so big that it holds so many people! There are a lot of mosques where I used to live in Rhodes (left behind after the Turkish occupation) and also here in Cardiff, and they are very beautiful buildings.
Yes it is huge inside. I wonder what it would be like during prayer?
Gorgeous photos, Nicole – I felt that I was there with you. 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Wonderful photos, Nicole. What a contrast between the peace inside, and the hustle and bustle outside. Your final pic is so interesting to just sit and gaze at. 🙂
Thanks! That is why I put that last one there. I love the contrast and craziness!
Your posts and photography are wonderful for the soul. Thanks Nicole. 🙂
So glad you enjoy them LuAnn! That makes me smile! 🙂
where are the pigeons? 🙂
Oh they are there! You can see them off in the distance. I guess they used them to deliver messages back hundreds of years ago. Pretty crazy!
A beautiful, majestic place to seek one’s faith and self.
Yes indeed. Magical.