Jama Masjid

Delhi is the country's largest and perhaps its most magnificent mosque. It stands across the road from Red Fort. The great mosque of Old Delhi is the final architectural extravagance of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. The mosque measures 65m by 35m, and its court forms a square of 100m. Built in 1656, it is an eloquent reminder of the Mughal religious fervour. It's spacious courtyard holds thousands of the faithful who offer their prayers here.t's also known as 'Masjid-i-Jahanuma' or 'Mosque commanding view of the world'. It was designed as Emperor Shahjahan's principal mosque. A sprawling esplanade separates it from the main road. ama Masjid is derived from the word 'Jummah', referring to the congregational prayer observed by Muslims on Fridays.Shah Jahan constructed the mosque, as the central place of worship, after establishing his new capital in Delhi (he relocated there from Agra). It was completed in 1656 by more than 5,000 laborers. Such was the mosque's status and importance that Shah Jahan called an imam from Bukhara (now Uzbekistan) to preside over it. This role has been passed down from generation to generation, with the eldest son of each imam succeeding his father.