Hyderabad is one of those places in India that has become famous due to the presence of various sites of historical significance. Many of these structures are listed as heritage buildings owing to their uniqueness, which appeals to thousands of travelers. One such historical landmark is the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest and oldest mosques in India.
Built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the mosque got its name from the bricks that were made using soil brought from Mecca, the capital city of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. Makkah is considered to be the holiest city in Islam, and the soil brought from this city was believed to add a sacred appeal to the mosque.
- Location: Old City, Hyderabad (near Charminar)
- Built In: 1614-1694
- Built By: Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (completed by Aurangzeb)
- Timings: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM (varies during prayers)
- How to Reach: Accessible by public transport, taxis, and metro (Charminar station)
- Sightseeing: Architecture, tombs of Asaf Jahi rulers, pond, nearby Charminar and Chowmohalla Palace
Location
The mosque is located in the old city of Hyderabad. It is surrounded by equally iconic historical structures such as Charminar, Laad Bazaar, and Chowmohalla Palace. It stands apart and tall in a central location that is easily accessible by all methods of conveyance. The brilliance of this structure is characterized by an equilibrium of aesthetic appeal in the inner and outer sections, where each section narrates a tale of the efforts that went into creating this grand piece of Islamic architecture.
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History
The construction of this mosque began in 1614, with Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah laying the foundation stone. However, the construction was completed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who conquered Hyderabad. The mosque was opened for the public in 1694. With more than 8,000 workers employed in the construction, this mosque is one of the structures that took more than a lifetime of a normal human being to be completed.
The arched facades are said to have been carved out from a single piece of granite. It took the laborers five years to quarry this stone, with an average of 500 to 600 people working round the clock during this period.
Structure
A distinguishing feature of this mosque is that it can accommodate around 10,000 worshippers at a time in the main hall. The height of the main hall is 75 feet, while its width and length are 220 feet and 180 feet, respectively. The arches and doors of the mosque carry inscriptions from the Quran, thus giving the whole structure a religious appeal.
At the peak, there is an arched gallery, atop which is a dome and a spire. Built between two octagonal columns of granite, the mosque keeps visitors glued to the aesthetic charm in the form of floral motifs. Great attention was paid to the detailing of the interior as well as the exterior part of the mosque, which is evident from the design and the various elements used in the finishing. For example, ramparts made out of granite planks are put upside down on the pedestals, and that is just one detail out of many.
There are tombs at the entrance of the mosque where the marble graves of the rulers of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty are built. A man-made pond stores clean water, and you can sit on the benches next to the pond to relax and gaze at the motionless water or the high-rise mosque.
A bombing incident took place at this site on May 18, 2007. Forensic reports suggested that the bombs were filled with RDX and TNT, both highly explosive materials. The bombing caused severe injuries and deaths, as the bombs exploded during the Friday prayers.
A legend goes that a person who sits on the stone and slab benches at the edge of the pond comes back, only to sit on those benches again. Another legend famous about this mosque is that it houses a strand of hair of the Prophet Muhammad, a famous Islamic leader.
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Preservation
With cities expanding to accommodate the increasing population, places of historical significance start losing their grace due to environmental pollution and lack of maintenance. Mecca Masjid had to face similar consequences. It was given a chemical wash in 1995, and later on, the state government declared it a traffic-free zone in August 2011.
How to Reach
Visitors who are staying in any suburb of Hyderabad during their trip can reach Mecca Masjid through public transport services and private taxis. Hyderabad is well-connected with all the major cities of India by rail, road, and air transport.
Best Time to Visit
Although the mosque is open all year long, the best time to visit this holy place is during the winter season, between November and February. At this time of the year, cool winds will make it a pleasant and memorable experience for you. Summers begin from March and continue until May, during which the temperature soars up to 45 degrees Celsius, thus making it harsh to commute and explore the exteriors of the mosque. During the monsoon (June to September), the rains play a spoilsport, and so do the winds.
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