Jama Masjid-The Heart of Old Delhi

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Jama Masjid -The heart of Old Delhi

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• These days, the city of Delhi has been famous for
  a lot of reasons and landmarks. Be it the
  bustling Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, the glamorous
  Connaught Place or the fancy underground Palika
  Bazaar the national capital has always been the
  focal point of attraction for many tourists.
• Not to forget are the national landmarks of
  India Gate, the Parliament and the Rashtrapati
  Bhavan. However, what makes the city a little
  more interesting is its past, particularly
  structures from the Mughal era.

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• Perhaps the most important and appealing Mughal
  structure in the city is Jama Masjid. As the name
  denotes, it is a place of worship which serves as
  an import tourist destination of the city as
  well.
• It is located in the heart of Delhi, and is very
  accessible from the newer part of the city.
• The mosque is said to be one of the biggest in
  the whole of South Asia (India, Pakistan,
  Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal taken together).
• I visited the mosque twice in the year 2000 and
  2010, and I can safely claim that nothing has
  changed ever since.

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Back in Time

• The mosque was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor
  Shah Jahan. The foundation was laid in an area
  then called Shahjahanabad.
• The construction of the complex took six years to
  complete, with the initial construction having
  started in 1650 AD.
• An estimated 6,000 workers were involved in the
  construction

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What to Expect Inside

• You will find a massive courtyard inside with a
  central washing area. On Fridays, the Islamic
  Sabbath, the water fountains are put on display.
• The main prayer hall is located towards the
  western end called the Qiblah.
• You can step inside and look at the magnificent
  chandeliers inside, or you can simply sit on the
  steps and enjoy the cool evening breeze while you
  chat with tourists.

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• Yes, the best time to visit is two hours prior to
  sunset.
• My favourite view is that of the Red Fort, which
  lies exactly opposite, though at some distance.
• Beware of thieves and keep a close eye on your
  footwear. If possible, carry them with you
  wherever you go.

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• Perhaps, the most interesting historical stuff
  you can see around are the relics of Prophet
  Muhammad (PBUH), his footmarks as well as a copy
  of the Quran handwritten by one of his companions

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•  I along with family and friends were shown these
  by a caretaker as we had come to visit Delhi from
  an extremely far-ff region.
• It becomes all the more amazing to witness them
  when you are told that such relics are only
  available in certain other parts of the world
  Istanbul in Turkey and Cairo in Egypt.
• Make sure you insist on these relics when you
  are inside. They might not give in easily, but
  you can insist the relevant authorities a little
  bit without being forceful.

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Something to Shop

• The adjacent areas are food-lovers paradise. You
  can get the highly expensive Tandoori and Mughlai
  items from well-known restaurants such as Al
  Jawahar and Karims.
• The slightly less expensive versions of Biryani
  are also available in the area. Try out the Lassi
  and Jalebi too. 
• The area will be of particular interest for girls
  and women as there are a lot of ethnic wear items
  and bangles to choose from

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•  If you are a book-lover, there are a book shops
  too. Oops, most book stalls here are Urdu stalls
  with many offering English collections as well.
  If you are a foreigner, currency exchange shops
  are available in plenty here.

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How to Reach?

• You can hire an auto from any part of the city to
  reach Jama Masjid. The nearest metro station is
  Chawri Bazar. Accessibility will never be an
  issue.
• The place will offer you a lesson of history with
  spectacular views and spiritual enlightenment.
  The most important factor to keep in mind here is
  to respect local traditions.

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• Women are advised to avoid wearing shorts and
  sleeveless. Modest clothing can also be hired
  from the northern gate. It can be assured that it
  will be a visit you will never forget.
• If you are planning a trip to delhi then book
  your tickets in advance from the top travel
  operators like ABT Travels,Konduskar
  Travels,Hebron Travels,Kesineni Travels,Paulo
  Travels,SVR Travels,Greenline Travels,SRM Travels
  etc.,