Makkah Masjid

The mosque Makkah Masjid, is a top tourist destination in the Indian city of Hyderabad, capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. This religious shrine, is the largest in the city. It is located in the old Hyderabad, only 100 meters from another memorable landmark - Charminar.

Makkah Masjid is the oldest mosque in the colorful nearly 6 million-Indian town. It astonishes with its dimensions. The building was designed and constructed so that it can accommodate about 10, 000 pilgrims at a time.

The construction of this religious temple began in 1617, at the initiative of the then ruler Mohammad Quli Qtub Shah. After more than 70 years of construction, Makkah Masjid acquires its final outcome under the management of Aurangzeb. It is believed that around 8000 people were involved in longstanding construction of the largest mosque in Hyderabad.

Before beginning construction, the desire of the ruler of the dynasty Qtub Shah is part of the mosque to be built with soil from Mecca -holiest place in Islam religion. So with bricks made from specially brought soft ground from Mecca, was built the central arch of the memorial mosque.

Hence, the name of the mosque was to be Mecca Masjid (Makkah Masjid).

In the courtyard is a small religious shrine room, which is believed to have preserved many ancient relics, including part of the hair of the Prophet Mohammed. Back in the courtyard of the mosque are also made tombs of rulers like Asaf Jahi.

The religious temple is built of 15 arches that rise above the base of the mosque. It towers high and their elegant finish gives a majestic look to the religious shrine. Three of the walls forming the main room, have 5 soaring towers.

The hall of worship is high 75 meters, wide as much as 220 meters and 180 meters long. Remarkably, the three arched facades were carved from one huge piece of granite, which took five years to be separated from earth rocks.

In the religious temple have been exquisitely painted many scenes, from the sacred book of Muslims - the Quran. Makkah Masjid brings a sense of profound peace and humility, no matter what religion the visitor professes. The territory of the Hyderabad mosque is created for the people, and a small lake whose crystal blue waters cleanse the spirit and consciousness of locals and guests. Around it are located benches. Residents of Hyderabad believe that once you sit on them, then inevitably you will return again in the Indian city.

In the history of Makkah Masjid are kept some sad memories. In 2007, the mosque suffered an unfortunate incident with a bomb. The blast was triggered by mobile phone from militants. Victims of the destructive event’s official figures stands at 14.

Today, local underground expression of Christianity does everything possible to ensure security, peace and comfort of tourists.

And since the mosque is part of the national cultural heritage of India, the country in the face of government in 2001 decided to protect the building from further pollution and destruction.

So the area around the biggest mosque in Hyderabad today is just pedestrian. The lack of traffic around the temple is even more beneficial for visitors seeking peace and quiet.

Undoubtedly, this religious place to this day remains a kind of magnet, attracting thousands of people from different nationalities and religions.