Top 10 Largest Mosques in India

Mosques in India are presented not only as religious centers or prayer halls but as grand architectural feasts for the eye of the beholder. From the Ghurid Dynasty to the Mughal period, most of the top famous and largest mosques were built to exert political influence or to display the wealth of the rulers. But there are Islamic religious places in India, such as Bara Imambara in Lucknow, which was built to provide shelter for the hungry. Spacious, mysterious, and, most importantly, very auspicious, mosques in India are mostly open to ordinary people except during prayer times and evoke a relaxed atmosphere in visitors.

Here are the top largest mosques in India:

Makkah Masjid

The Makkah Masjid or Makkah Masjid is one of the top 10 largest mosques in India.  It is close to the historical monuments of Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar. With a capacity of 10,000 people, it is one of the largest mosques in India. The mosque was built in the 17th century and is a nationally protected monument. 

The main prayer hall of this mosque rises about 75 feet above the ground and can seat about 10,000 people at a time. The facade of the prayer hall has five open arches and is flanked by two minarets. Each minaret is topped with a dome and adjoins an arcaded balcony on either side of the prayer hall. 

It is estimated that this impressive mosque took 77 years and around 8,000 workers to build. The complex has been included by UNESCO in its “tentative list”; to be inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014 making it one of the largest mosques in India.

Taj Ul Masjid

Taj Ul Masjid is considered one of the largest mosques in Asia. This mosque was originally built in Bhopal during Nawab Shah Jahan Begum (1844–1860 and 1868–1901). This red stone architecture is located on a lake called Motia Talab in the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal. The mosque received the finishing touches in 1985. 

The entrance to Mosque has been renovated with motifs from 13th-century Syrian mosques donated by the Emir of Kuwait to commemorate his late wife. The entrance gate is designed with antique motifs from around 1,250 Syrian mosques. 

The mosque’s pink façade is topped by 18-story octagonal minarets with marble domes. The two-story portal is connected by four recessed arches and nine multipoint openings leading to the main prayer hall. The qibla wall is decorated with eleven arches and features unique lattices.

 The hall’s massive columns support 27 ceilings spanning narrow arches, of which 16, ceilings are adorned with decorative flower petals. Bhopal is well connected with Delhi and all major cities. The mosque is very well located and a famous landmark of the city. Overall it is one of the largest mosques in India.

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra

Located on the border of Ajmer, Rajasthan, Adhai Din ka Jhonpra Mosque is one of the largest mosques in India.  It is a famous mosque outside the Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti Rahmatullah Alaih. It is believed that these extraordinary ruins got their present form thanks to a huge wall built by Muhammad Ghori in two and a half days. 

The mosque is made of yellow limestone and bears inscriptions from the Holy Qur’an and many floral designs inspired by Arabic architecture. The mosque has 10 domes and 124 columns with beautiful carvings. There are a total of 344 pillars in the building, of which only 70 are in good condition and the rest are in ruins. 

This extended section was decorated with Islamic calligraphy in front of the portico. Interesting rectangular panels carved into the walls of the prayer hall are reminiscent of the furnishings of Persian mosques. It is a wonderful example of Indo-Islamic architecture and also one of the largest mosques in India.  

Nagina Masjid

The Nagina Masjid, or Gem Mosque, is one of the largest mosques in India.  It is located in the northwest corner of Macchi Bhawan on the grounds of the Agra Fort. An architectural marvel, this fascinating mosque was built by Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1640. 

The mosque has a marble-paved courtyard surrounded by walls on the south, north, and east. The prayer hall is on the west side. The main prayer hall of this mosque is made of pure white marble and exudes an immaculate aura on sunny days. With very simple and sober decoration, this mosque rises with three domes at the top and ornate arches.

 Built as a private mosque for the ladies of the royal family, this magnificent structure is 10.21 meters wide and 7.39 meters deep. This architectural feature is known as Bangdarr and is a distinctive feature of this mosque. Moreover, it is one of the largest mosques in India.  

Bara Imambara

Bara Imambara is one of the largest mosques in India.  It is located in this city, it is a historic building with outstanding architecture that even modern architects admire. It is a large mosque complex, the main part of which is a huge hall in addition to the Asfi and Baoli Mosques. 

It houses the tombs of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daul and his wife, Shamsunnisa Begum. The architecture of the complex reflects the maturity of the ornate design of the Badshahi Mosque. Imambara has two major gates. At one end of the gate, you can see the Asafi Mosque, and at the other end, a large baoli. 

It has a total of nine rooms, the largest of which is the central chamber. The central chamber is 164 feet long and 52 feet wide and houses the tomb of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daul. This 50-foot vaulted ceiling is not supported by iron bars, columns, or beams as the hall was intended for prayer and religious ceremonies. 

The space above these chambers has been cleverly used to create a labyrinthine three-dimensional network of interconnected balconies and passageways, accessed via 489 identical doors. This part of Imambara is known as Bhul Bhulaiya.

 It is an important place of worship for Muslims who come here every year to celebrate the religious festival of Muharram. No wonder it is one of the largest mosques in India.  

Jama Masjid

The Delhi Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India.  It is the largest mosque in India and accommodates around 25,000 worshipers during their prayers. Construction began in 1644 and ended up being the last architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.

 Constructed with impressive detailing on the minarets, domes, arches, and gates, this highly decorative mosque consists of four large towers and three huge gates. The Mosque faces west towards the holy city of Mecca. The mosque’s roof is crowned by three marble domes with alternating stripes of black and white marble. 

The domes, on the other hand, are crowned with golden decorations. The minarets are 40 meters high and are made of red sandstone and white marble. The mosque is approximately 261 feet long and 90 feet wide. The walls of the mosque are covered in marble up to the waist. 

Above these arched entrances are slabs of white marble, 1. Measuring 2 x 0.76m, with black marble inscriptions detailing the history of the mosque and extolling the rule and virtues of Shah Jahan. The inlaid interior arches are still impressive today. 

From the air, it offers an impressive panoramic view of Delhi with Connaught Place and Sansad Bhavan in a direct line to Jama Masjid, an element architect Edwin Lutyens incorporated into his design for New Delhi. No doubt it is one of the largest mosques in India. 

Hazratbal Masjid

Located in Hazratbal, Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, Hazratbal Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. It is a sacred Islamic shrine on the left bank of Dal Lake. The construction of the current structure began in 1968 and lasted 11 years. It was completed in 1979. This immaculate white structure, 154 m long and 25 m high, consists of a dome and a minaret.

 The shrine contains a sacred relic called Moi-e-Muqaddas, which many Muslims believe to be a strand of hair belonging to the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi in Wasallam. Set in a scenic spot, this quaint religious building is impressive on a clear day and surprises visitors when its reflection appears on Dal Lake. Overall it is one of the largest mosques in India. 

8. JAMIA MASJID

Jamia Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. It is the largest and most important mosque in Kashmir, known as the holy place of Srinagar. Located in Nowhatta in the Old City, it is thought to date from 1400 AD. The mosque was built by Sultan Sikander and later enlarged by his son Zain-ul-Abideen. 

This mosque was founded by Sultan Sikandar in 1394 AD. and was completed in 1402 AD. This mosque is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture dating back to, which is a mixture of Indian and Mughal styles. The impressive structure of this temple consists of 370 wooden pillars that show architectural perfection. 

It is surrounded by wide paths and covers a huge area 120 meters long and 120 meters wide. At the center of this mosque is a square garden that can be used as a place of prayer. More than 33,333 people can pray in this mosque at the same time. 

These are important mosques in Kashmir. The prime location of the mosque, its impressive architecture, grand size, and historical and religious importance make it a very popular tourist attraction in Srinagar also making it one of the largest mosques in India.

Jamali Kamali Masjid

The 16th-century ruined monument, mosque, and tomb of Jamali-Kamali is one of the largest mosques in India. It is located in Mehrauli, Delhi, near the famous Qutub Minar archaeological site. 

Built between 1528 and 1529, this archaeological splendor is located in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park and includes a mosque and two tombs of Jamali and Kamala.

 Built of red sandstone with marble cladding, this mosque stands within a walled garden and consists of a large courtyard, a prayer hall, and five arches, with the central arch having a dome dating back to. The arches increase in size towards the central arch, which is the largest of the five arches and is adorned with beautiful ornaments.

 The mosque is considered a pioneer of Mughal architecture, particularly the Jhorokha system. The porch surrounding the mosque gives access to the two-storey mosque and the four corners are decorated with octagonal towers. 

The monument is well-preserved and has a very peaceful atmosphere. The preservation of the monuments was carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India as it is also one of the largest mosques in India.

Chota Imambara

Like the Bara Imambara, it is also one of the largest mosques in India. This was done for the funeral of Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother who commissioned the construction. Its interior is richly decorated with glass lanterns and lanterns. It has Islamic calligraphy. 

The canal in front of the main building, the garden next to it, the white mosque on one side, and the expensive chandeliers in the middle are very similar. Many restored sandalwood, wax, and ivory settings made from the more expensive silver are very beautiful and attractive. 

The Chota Imambara is also called the “Palace of Light” because it was richly decorated during the celebrations. The chandeliers involved in this monument were imported from Belgium. At the same time, the moon consists of a dome, that is, the sun rises on the lap. 

At the same time, there is a fish on the door near the canal, which indicates the position of the air. The tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah and other members of his family are in the Imambara. This structure serves as a mausoleum for the tomb of Nawab Janab Asiya Begum Sahib, daughter of King Mohammed Ali Shah, and two other tombs. Moreover, it is one of the largest mosques in India.

Conclusion

As for the final say, these are some of the top largest mosques in India. These mosques were constructed centuries ago and are still standing still beautifully. Thousands of people visit these mosques to pray and to learn about the great architecture of these mosques.