Delhi can be the undoing of even the hardiest traveller, so Jama Masjid is a welcome oasis of spiritual calm in the heart of the city. The eastern gate was originally only for imperial use, but today, everyone is welcome into the mosque’s gorgeous courtyard, a sanctuary from the madness of Old Delhi.
The Jama Masjid follows the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort as the final extravagance of Shah Jahan, who made sure the mosque and its pulpit sat higher than his residence and throne.
Like many buildings from Mughal architecture’s ‘golden era’, it is made entirely from red sandstone and white marble – but it is the beautiful decorative patterns that will take your breath away.
Once you’ve regained your senses, head to the southernmost minaret, climb all 121 steps, and trust that what awaits you will be worth the effort.
From the top, Chandni Chowk’s markets – with all their noise, smells and colours – look like a peaceful ocean. Cast your eye further and you will see out to Connaught Place and Sansad Bhavan, with Delhi laid out in all its glory.
Jama Masjid is a way to extract yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city, and to see the bigger picture. Certainly, from the top of the minaret, you’ll understand why Shah Jahan originally called it Masjid e Jahan Numa – ‘a mosque that commands a view of the world’.