Built in 1571, Jama Masjid Agra is located in the heart of the then Mughal capital, Fatehpur Sikri. Commonly known as the Jami Masjid, it is probably the largest mosque in India. Housing the tomb of the Sufi religious leader Sheikh Salim Chishti, it draws several devotees as a pilgrimage site. One of the most traveled tourist attractions in India on your tour to Agra, it is a brilliant example of Mughal architecture.
History has it that Akbar desired for a male heir and his visit to the shrine of Salim Chishti saw him through his dream. In order to celebrate and express gratitude towards Almighty, he built the Jama Masjid. Designed in marble and red stone, the structure stands on an elevated platform and has large courtyards, big enough to hold several devotees at a time. It exhibits outstanding latticework, inlaid patterns and brightly colored tiles adorned with floral motifs of myriad colors, calligraphic inscriptions of different nature, and geometrical designs.
You can enter this one of the finest tourist attractions in India through the huge gateway of Bulund Darwaza. The mosque also houses the Jamaat Khana and the Zenana Rauza specially built for the ladies. In fact the main building is composed of a pillared Dalan, a beautiful 'Chhajja' and the 'Chhatri' on the roof. The main Iwan of the building is rather uncomplicated containing a central arch with geometrical shapes. Although over the years the Jama Masjid has been facing bouts of dilapidation, it still maintains the grandeur of the past in its marbled tombs and sandstone walls and is visited till date by devotees and tourists from all parts of the world.
The best thing about the Jama Masjid is that it is not only a religious site, drawing tremendous influx of devotees and worshippers, but it is also one of the principal attractions on your tour to Agra. An artistic work of art in itself, it exudes a lot of architectural magnificence apart from the religious zeal.
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Log on to www.touristplacesinindia.com which gives online information about Jama Masjid Agra and other major tourist attractions of Agra and other cities of India, booking for India travel tours, tour packages etc.
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