Location:
This grand structure is situated on a hill a few hundred yards west of the
Red Fort and towers over the mayhem of Old Delhi's sprawling streets.
History Revisited:
Shah Jehan, the architect of the Red Fort and much of Old
Delhi,
built Jama Masjid between 1644 and 1656. This is the final architectural
piece built by him. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahanuma, or "mosque
commanding view of the world", this magnificent structure is the most
exquisite mosque in India
Impeccable Architecture:
Jama Masjid is India's largest mosque and can hold 25,000 worshipers at
one time. Wide red sandstone steps lead to entrances on the North, South
and East sides of the mosque. The tower is made up of five distinct
storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. Beautiful calligraphy
adorns its adjacent edifices. The first three storeys of the tower are
made of red sandstone, the fourth is made of marble, while the fifth is
made of sandstone again.
The main entrance is through the 54-meter-high Buland Darwaza, the Gate
of Victory, constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat. This
impressive gateway is reached by an equally impressive flight of steps.
Inside is the massive courtyard dominated by two red and white striped
sandstone minarets which cap the main prayer hall on the west side
(facing Mecca).
On Fridays and other holy days the courtyard is filled with devotees
who come in for 'Namaaz'. The majestic architecture of Delhi's Jama
Masjid suggests an awesome monument to history and religion.
Climate:
Delhi has an extreme type of continental climate. The summers in Delhi
are very hot and winters very cold. The temperature range varies from 45
degrees in summers to 4 degrees in winters. The best season to visit
Delhi is During the spring seasons of February to April and August to
November. The bloom season of February and March make Delhi colourful.
Transport And Communication :
» Air: Delhi is well connected with major cities in India
by Indian Airlines. Other private Airlines like Damania Airlines, East
West Airlines, City Link Airlines also connect Delhi with Calcutta,
Bombay etc.
» Rail: Delhi is the headquarters of the Northern Railway
and is the most well connected railhead both on broad guage (New Delhi)
and meter guage (Delhi Main) railway line with all of the major places
in India.
» Road: Delhi is at the intersection of several national
highways and is well connected by regular bus services from Inter State
bus terminal (ISBT), Kashmiri Gate to Agra-203 kms, Allahabad-603 kms,
Almora-373 kms, Amritsar -447 kms, Bhakra-354 kms, Bharatpur-190 kms,
Calcutta-1490 kms, Chandigarh -238 kms, Corbet National Park-297 kms,
Jaipur-258 kms.
