Delhi is known to be the hub of heritage and culture. You can find the proof of it almost in every nook and corner of the city in the form of some ancient building or monument. As we celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr today, which marks the end of Ramadan, the 30 days fasting period, we thought we’ll bring you closer to this heritage. So we got in touch with Anas Khan, a Delhi-based photographer. He shared some amazing shots of Dargahs and mosques in the city which would definitely leave you in awe!
1. Quwwat-ul-Islam
Did you know that there’s a mosque in Qutub Complex? Quwwat-Ul-Islam is this beautiful mosque which is located right next to the Qutub Minar. It is built of red sandstone, gray quartz, and white marble, and is probably inspired by the iron “Pillar of the Law” that stands on the site. How about watching the full moon at the oldest mosque of the Indian subcontinent?
2. Jamat Khana Mosque
Built by the son of Alauddin Khilji, this mosque is the oldest functional mosque of Delhi and is located within the Nizamuddin complex. The central bay and the entrance are embellished with bands of exquisite geometric motifs and Quranic inscriptions, which looks simply stunning!
3. Begumpur Mosque
Lying in ruins near the Hauz Khas metro station, this mosque dates back to the Tughlaq dynasty. After Shah Jahan’s Jama Masjid, it is Delhi’s largest mosque and it looks more like a fort than a mosque. Go visit it someday, as it is quite an experience.
4. Jami Masjid of Feroz Shah Kotla
This mosque also dates back to the later Tughlaq times and acted as the Friday prayer mosque for the 5th city of Delhi, Feroz Shah Kotla. Today, this area is believed to be the abode of Djinns! It’s very close to the famous Feroz Shah Kotla cricket ground.
5. Bada Gumbad Mosque
Built during the Lodhi period, Bada Gumbad Mosque is outlined by excellent calligraphy citing the verses of the Holy Quran. It is located in the Lodhi Garden. The dome and the mosque are constructed of red, grey and black stone, including grey quartzite (rock) and red sandstone which makes it look magnificent!
6. Jama Masjid
The largest mosque of India and the most well known in Delhi, Jama Masjid was built as the Friday mosque for the residents of the Red Fort by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Today, the courtyard of Jama Masjid is where Ramadan can be witnessed at its best in Delhi. The mosque is considered as the best among all mosques built during the Mughal Empire and the architecture is just amazing! It has the best mixture of marble and limestone.
7. Qutub Sahab ki Dargah
The first Sufi shrine of Delhi, this dargah is a relatively lesser known shrine located in the heart of Mehrauli. It also houses the largest grave that one can witness in Delhi. Also, the darbaar shrine of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki has been the venue of the annual Phoolwalon-ki-sair (its a festival of flower-sellers) in autumn.
8. Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya
We cannot talk about the religious sites of Delhi without mentioning the Nizamuddin Dargah. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is believed to rule over the hearts of the people of Delhi and is still referred to as Sultan ji. One can find people from all religions, praying here together. The Qawwali here is particularly very popular.
9. Chirag Dilli Dargah
This is the mausoleum of the last prominent Sufi saint of Delhi and the successor of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya- Hazrat Nasiruddin Mahmood. He is popularly referred to as Chirag-e-Dehlvi (The Lamp of Delhi) owing to his mystic powers using which he lit a lamp with water! This shrine is extremely quiet and peaceful as opposed to the Nizamuddin Dargah which is always bustling with people.
Wishing you all Eid Mubarak!
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/unzip_delhi)
