Hyderabad

Mecca Masjid

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About Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid, which is located on the south of the Musi River, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in India. It is one of the heritage sites, located in the old city, very near to Charminar, an iconic symbol of Hyderabad city. A preferred destination of Lakhs of Muslim pilgrims, the mosque was commissioned in 1614.

Legend states that Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah invited devout religious leaders for the foundation ceremony of the Mecca Masjid with a caveat that he alone, who never missed his prayers, will be eligible to lay the foundation stone. As no one showed up, Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah himself laid the foundation of Mecca Masjid. It is said that the emperor never missed his midnight prayer from his 12th year onwards.

The construction got temporarily abandoned after the death of the emperor Quli Qutub Shah.The massive construction continued under the rule of Abdullah Shah and Tani Shah till 1687. Aurangazeb, who conquered the Golconda kingdom in 1694, completed the construction of the Mecca Masjid.The monument is a visual treat to the novice and an architect student to appreciate and admire the pagodas, marble mausoleums, water bodies, vast arches, and black benches.

The Mosque contains an enormous prayer hall and graves of most Asaf Jahi rulers.Visitors passing through the gateway leading to the entrance of the court come across a huge pond, a cascading water fountain, and 2 black stone benches. Locals have an interesting story to narrate about the magic effect of these benches. They state that whosoever sits on these benches will return one day to sit at the same spot again.

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Mecca Masjid Other Essential Information

- Location: Laad Bazaar Road, Khilwat, Charminar, Hyderabad, Telangana.

- Price: Free

- Timing: Open 7 days a week between 4:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

History of Mecca Masjid

The construction of the historic Mecca Masjid began in the year 1614 by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the 5th leader of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty. The massive construction was supervised by chief mason Rangaiah Choudhary and engineer Mir Faizullah Baig.

This majestic mosque is named after the Grand Mosque in Mecca, as the bricks used for its construction were manufactured from the soil, which was brought from the sacred Mecca city.It is also believed that a hair strand belonging to Mohammed Prophet was enshrined in a room in the mosque’s courtyard.

A large contingent of masons numbering 8000, worked day and night to complete this gigantic monument. 500 – 600 laborers toiled for 5 years to quarry the single piece of granite, out of which 3 arched facades were carved out. It took 77 years to build the mosque. It was completed in 1694 during the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s regime

The canopied building inside the mosque houses the tombs of all Asif Jahi rulers (Nizam rulers) except 1st and the last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Architecture of Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid depicts the distinctive Indo-Islamic architectural stamp with its intricate minarets, pagodas, arched facades, and floral motifs, etc. It bears resemblance to the architecture of the Golconda fort and adjacent Charminar.

A most revered place for the Muslim fraternity, the humungous prayer hall which measures 75 ft in height, 180 ft in length, and 220 ft in width accommodates more than 10,000 worshippers at the same time. The roof of the hall is buttressed by 15 elaborately designed arches. While 3 sides of the hall have 5 arches each, the 4th side of the wall has a Mihrab.

The 2 columns, which are in octagonal in shape, that robustly support the mosque are carved out of single granite stone.The doors and arches display the inscriptions of the holy Quran. The Belgian crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the mosque increases the charm of the interiors multifold.

Importance of visiting Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid is the oldest and largest mosque in India. Apart from its impressive and imposing structure and equally elaborate designs, it is one of the most preferred cultural and religious places for the Muslim community. The sand from the holy Mecca used in its construction and belief that the hair strands of Mohammed Prophet along with other relics enshrined in the mosque make this place even dearer to Islamic society.

Tombs of all most all of Asaf Jahi sovereigns entombed in the mosque make it a historical site. Declaration of the mosque as heritage building signifies the archeological importance of the monument.

Places to Eat near Mecca Masjid

1. Hotel Shadaab (0.8 km): The legendary restaurant takes visitors on a gastronomic journey with its mouth-watering cuisines such as Mutton Biryani, Boti Kebab, Seekh Kebab, and Mutton gravies. Delicious Qubani ka Meetha as a dessert to sign off the scrumptious dinner.

2. Pista House (0.6 km): The Pista House is popular for the preparation and distribution of Haleem, which is the most sought after food during Ramadan festival. Qubani Ka Meetha is another specialty of this hotel.

3. Shah Ghouse: One of the oldest eatery in Hyderabad that dishes out delicious Khichdi with Keema Khatta / Char-Koni Naan with Nihari / Goat entails for breakfast and Hyderabad Biryani for Lunch and Dinner.

4. Govind Dosa (0.8 km): This street food vendor is prominent for Govind Dosa. The thin crispy paper-like dosa fried in loads of butter & coated with Rava (semolina) is served with spicy masala and sliced tomato. Tawa Idli and butter Idli are also worth trying.

5. Hotel Ruman (0.8 km): Situated near Chowmahalla palace, this restaurant remains open from 7:00 a.m. to Midnight serving traditional Hyderabadi breakfast, Irani chai (Tea) and Biryani & Tala Hua Gosht (beef) for dinner.

6. Nimrah Bakery: This bakery is very famous for its Chai-Biscuit. Crispy Osmania Biscuit, with its buttery–sweetness initially and salty tinge taste at the end, is a treat to the connoisseurs’. The other types of biscuits to try out are Tie-biscuit, Chand biscuit, and Khopra biscuit.

7. Bilal Ice cream: Bilal Ice Cream near Clock Tower, Mozzam Jahi Market is famous for seasonal specialties such as Mango, Chikoo, Sitaphal, and its signature dessert, Pan.

Tips for visiting Mecca Masjid

The following are tips for people visiting Mecca Masjid:

1. Visitors should wear long trousers and shirts.

2. Head should be covered at all times as a mark of respect

3. Since it is a religious place, tourists are requested not to talk loud or disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the place.

4. People are advised not to hurt the sentiments of the followers.

5. Women visitors are not allowed to go inside.

6. Mobile phones are not permitted to be taken inside the Mosque.

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How to Reach Mecca Masjid

-Tourists can reach Mecca Masjid from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, either by Bus, Cab or private taxi. The road distance between Airport and Mosque is 23 km.

- APSRTC Airport cruiser transports passengers from Rajiv Gandhi International airport to Mecca Masjid in 1 hr 30 minutes. The fare ranges between Rs. 250 – Rs. 490. APSRTC plies ordinary public buses from shamshabad to Mecca Masjid.

- Online Cab services are the fastest mode of transport and ferry passengers in 20- 30 minutes. They charge Rs. 350 onwards depending on the type of vehicle and no. of passengers.

- Visitors can travel from the airport to Mecca Masjid by engaging private taxis too. The tariff is between Rs. 550 - 750. The time of travel is 20 -30 minutes.