Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid, officially the Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, is the great congregational mosque of Old Delhi and one of the largest mosques in India. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it between 1650 and 1656, and its red sandstone courtyard can hold around 25,000 people at Friday and Eid prayers.

Jama Masjid was the last major building of Shah Jahan, who also built the Red Fort across the road. It stands on a raised platform, reached by broad flights of steps to three great gateways, and the design mixes red sandstone with white marble on the three domes and the two 40 m minarets. The mosque remains a busy place of worship, and on Eid the courtyard and the steps fill completely.

What to see

• The vast courtyard and its central ablution tank
• The prayer hall with its marble domes and arches
• The climb up the southern minaret for rooftop views
• The eastern gate, facing the Red Fort
• The Meena Bazaar and street life on the steps

What to wear

Jama Masjid has a strict dress code: shoulders, arms and legs covered for everyone, and women should bring a headscarf. Robes are available at the gate for those who need them. Shoes come off before the courtyard; the stone gets very hot in summer, so wear socks or visit early. In Delhi you will see women in salwar kameez and sarees and men in kurta pyjama, especially at festivals and weddings.

Local food to try

The lanes beside Jama Masjid are the centre of halal Mughlai food in Delhi. Karim's, in the lane off Gate 1, has served mutton korma, burra kebab and nihari since 1913, and the stalls around it sell seekh kebabs, biryani and phirni. Nihari is a slow-cooked breakfast stew. For vegetarian food, walk to Chandni Chowk for paranthas and jalebi.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; morning or late afternoon, avoiding Friday midday
• Open daily to tourists outside prayer times
• Free entry; separate fees for cameras and the minaret climb
• Allow 45 minutes to an hour
• Jama Masjid metro station is a few minutes' walk; about 6 km from Connaught Place
• Be respectful of worshippers; some areas may be closed to visitors

Nearby places

The Red Fort is a 10-minute walk east, and the lanes of Chandni Chowk begin just north. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is about 5 km south-west.