Lahore is an example of extraordinary mix of large number of new, old, and ancient mosques. This city has a culture that mixes the old and the new with superb ease.
1. Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore
Grand Jamia Mosque is a mosque located in Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan. It is the third largest mosque in Pakistan. It was inaugurated on Eid-ul-Adha on 6 October 2014. It can accommodate 25,000 worshipers indoors, while the courtyard and corridor leading to the main halls of worship can accommodate a total of 70,000.The architecture is influenced by Badshahi Masjid, Wazir Khan Mosque and Sheikh Zayed Mosque, while its construction costs over 4 billion rupees (or approximately Turkey and over 50 chandeliers imported from Iran.
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| Grand Jamia Mosque world's 7th Largest Mosque |
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| Over a 100,000 people at Bahria Town Jamia Masjid |
Indigenous masterpiece of Pakistani architecture grand jamia mosque inaugurated in Lahore by Asif Ali Zardari for Eid-ul-Adha prayers. The building was completed at the cost of rs.4 billion having capacity of accommodating 70,000 people which makes it to be the world’s 7th largest mosque. The mosque has become the proud entity of Bahria Town Lahore.
The structure comprises of 4 minarets, each standing tall at 165 ft. and a Grand Dome in the center, which is surrounded by 20 smaller domes. The most fascinating feature about this masterpiece is that the exterior consists of 4 million, 2.5 inch handmade Multani tiles made from special Multanimitti and hand placed by the craftsmen. Placing these tiles alone took 4 years to complete. The total capacity of this magnificent piece of Islamic architecture is 70,000 making it the worlds 7th Largest mosque. It has an indoor capacity of 25,000, labeling it Pakistan’s Largest Mosque. There are dedicated praying areas for women, a school and an Islamic Art Gallery.
2. Badshahi Mosque
The Badshahi Mosque (Urdu: بادشاہی مسجد) or "Emperor's Mosque" was buil in 1673. It is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world. Epitomising the beauty and passion of the Mughal era, it is Lahore's most famous landmark and a major tourist attraction. It is located in Iqbal Park in Lahore, Pakistan which is one of the largest urban parks in Pakistan.
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| All architectural elements in symmetrical harmony |
Badshahi Masjid is one of the famous locations where Qari Basit (1927-88), a widely acclaimed Egyptian Qur'anic Recitor, recited the Qur'an.
What to see at Badshahi Mosque
The exterior is decorated with stone carving as well as marble inlay on red sandstone, specially of loti form motifs in bold relief.
The skyline is furnished by beautiful ornamental merlons inlaid with marble lining adding grace to the perimeter of the mosque. In its various architectural features like the vast square courtyard, the side aisles (dalans), the four corner minarets, the projecting central transept of the prayer chamber and the grand entrance gate, is summed up the history of development of mosque architecture of the Muslim world over the thousand years prior to its construction in 1673.
Out of the seven compartments, three double domes finished in marble have superb curvature, whilst the rest have curvilinear domes with a central rib in their interior and flat roof above.
In the eastern front aisle, the ceiling of the compartment is flat (Qalamdani) with a curved border (ghalatan) at the cornice level. The original floor of the courtyard was laid with small kiln-burnt bricks laid in the Mussalah pattern.
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| The graceful domes of Badshahi Mosque at sunset |
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| View of Badshahi from outside the monumental gate. |
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| View from the main hall of Badshahi Mosque |
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| Red sandstone exterior of Badshahi Mosque |
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| Badshahi Mosque by night |
3. Wazir Khan Mosque
The Wazir Khan Mosque (Punjabi/Urdu: مسجد وزیر خان Masjid Wazīr Khān) in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive faience tile work. It has been described as 'a mole on the cheek of Lahore'. It was built in seven years, starting around 1634–1635 AD, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. It was built by Hakim Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, a native of Chiniot, who rose to be the court physician to Shah Jahan and a governor of Lahore. He was commonly known as Wazir Khan, a popular title bestowed upon him (the word Wazir means 'minister' in Urdu and Persian). The mosque is inside the Inner City and is easiest accessed from Delhi Gate. The mosque contains some of the finest examples of Qashani tile work from the Mughal period.
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| Pigeons flying over the mosque |
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| Row of hujra's (a separate room within the mosque for prayer in solitude) lining the courtyard |
Construction
Within the inner courtyard of the mosque lies the subterranean tomb of Syed Muhammad Ishaq, known as Miran Badshah, a divine who settled in Lahore during the time of the Tughluq dynasty. The tomb, therefore, predates the mosque.
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| Tomb of Syed Muhammad Ishaq, in the mosque |
4. Dai Anga Mosque
Dai Anga Mosque is a mosque situated near the railway station of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. This historic Mosque is in the Naulakha area, about quarter mile away from Lahore Railway Station. It is an oldest mosque of Pakistan. Its age is 376 years old.
It is widely believed that Dai Anga built this mosque in 1635 AD (1045 Hijri,), before she went to perform Hajj. However, the inscription in the mosque is said to date it to 1649 AD (1060 AH)
Zeb Un Nisa aka Dai Anga, was a wet nurse of Mughal King Shah Jahan and was well respected in the royal family. The tomb of Dai Anga is known as the Gulabi Bagh. Her family was closely associated with the Mughal empire. Her husband Murad Khan served Emperor Jahangir as Magistrate of Bikaner, and her son Muhammad Rashid Khan, was the best archers in the kingdom, and died fighting in the service of Shah Jahan's eldest son Dara Shikoh. Shah Jahan highly regarded Zeb Un Nisa.
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| Dai Anga Mosque - oldest mosque of Pakistan |
The exterior of the mosque has been embellished with fine tile work similar to that seen at the mosque of Wazir Khan in Lahore. The interior also displayed fine frescoes previously, unfortunately these have largely been replaced by cheap modern ceramic tiles over the last 3 years breaking a 360 year old tradition.
5. Data Durbar Complex
Data Darbar (or Durbar), located in the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan is one of the oldest Muslim shrines in South Asia. It houses the remains of a Sufi saint, Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery (more commonly known as Daata Ganj Baksh, meaning Daata means the master who bestows treasures and Ganj Baksh means Gifted by Allah Almighty). He is said to have lived on the site in the 11th century.
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| Data Darbar Compound Complex |
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| Data Darbar Complex , The Roots Of qawwali |
The shrine is located near the Bhati Gate into Lahore's Walled City. It was originally built by the Ghaznavi king Sultan Zakiruddin Ibrahim in the late eleventh century, and has been expanded several times. For centuries his tomb was visited by Muslims and non-Muslims in search of his blessings and people of all religions are welcomed in Data Durbar. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is a frequent visitor. On special occasions, the shrine is decorated with lights, dinner is prepared for hundreds of people and visitors dance while musicians play Sufi music for hours. At the boundary of the shrine, Muslim faithfuls recite the Qur'an, and pay tributes to Muhammad.
There have been rising security fears in recent years after threats by Pakistan's Taliban militants. The large size of the complex which houses the shrine and the fact that it is open at all hours to the public makes protecting it extremely difficult. The Talibans and Salafi oppose visiting tombs of the Sufis terming it as grave worshiping which is shirk in Islam. On 1 July 2010, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the shrine. At least 50 people died and 200 others were hurt in the blasts.This was the biggest attack on a Sufi shrine in Pakistan since 2001.
6. Suneri Mosque
The Sunheri Masjid (سنهرى مسجد, lit. Golden Mosque) is located in the centre of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The architect of the mosque was Nawab Syed Bhikari Khan, son of Raushan-ud-Daula Turrabaz Khan, deputy governor of Lahore during the reign of Muhammad Shah.
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| Sunehri Masjid (The Golden Mosque) |
The Golden Mosque, which was built in 1753 and features three golden domes, is situated in the Kashmiri Bazaar. The mosque reflects influences of Sikh architecture and is elevated on a higher plinth, surrounded by old bazaars. It has a gateway, which measures 21.3 metres in length and a courtyard that measures 161.5 by 160.6 metres (530 ft × 527 ft). The marble domes cover seven prayer chambers. Four lofty minarets stand at the four corners of the mosque, each with an outer circumference of 20 metres (66 ft), soaring up to 54 metres (177 ft)
7. Moti Masjid (Lahore Fort)
Moti Masjid (Urdu: موتی مسجد), one of the "Pearl Mosques", is a 17th-century religious building located inside the Lahore Fort. It is a small, white marble structure built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and is among his prominent extensions (such as Sheesh Mahal and Naulakha pavilion) to the Lahore Fort Complex. The mosque is located on the western side of Lahore Fort, closer to Alamgiri Gate, the main entrance.
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| A modern interior view |
Design
The structure, located in the northwestern corner of Dewan-e-Aam quadrangle, is typical of Mughal architecture of Shah Jahan's times. It is completely built of white marble that was brought from Makrana.The façade is composed of cusped arches and engaged baluster columns with smooth and fine contours.The mosque has three superimposed domes, two aisles of five bays, and a slightly raised central pishtaq, or portal with a rectangular frame.This five-arched facade distinguishes it from other mosques of the similar class with three-arched facades. The interior is simple and plain with the exception of ceilings that are decorated and designed in four different orders, two arcuate, and two trabeated
8. Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum
Mariam Zamani Begum Masjid was built in her honour by her son Nurruddin Salim Jahangir and is situated in Wall city of Lahore, Pakistan. Masjid Mariam Zamani Begum is also known as Begum Shahi Masjid. This masjid is one of the great symbol of Mughal architect. Floral miniature painting throughout in the interior of the masjid is making it a unique and attractive master peace by Mughals. Color combination of the floral miniature and geometrical shapes painting is marvelous. No doubt this Masjid (mosque) is one of the greatest in Mughals architects. This Masjid has been used by Ranjit Singh in 1850 as a gunpowder factory, that’s why it is also known as baroodkhana wali Masjid
Mariam uz-Zamani Begum was the Imperial Princess, became the Mughal Empress after her marriage to Mughal Emperor Akbar. She was the eldest daughter of Raja of Jaipur state. She was also the mother of Emperor Nuruddin Salim Jahangir.
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| Inside Maryam Zamani |
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| The central fountain and ablution area |
9. Shia Masjid
The Shia Masjid (literally meaning 'Shia Mosque') is one of the largest Shia mosques in the mainly Shi'ite populated area of Islampura in the city of Lahore, Pakistan.
10. Masjid-e-Shuhda
Masjid Shuhada is located in Springfield Township. The facility sprawled across 1.3 acres, is conveniently situated in the heart of Burlington County with easy access from the NJ Turnpike and I-295 Inter-State Highways. Masjid Shuhada is incorporated as a non-profit organization and caters to the needs of the area's Muslim community by providing educational seminars, and religious services.The facility can also be used for community gatherings for the social occasions.
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| Masjid-e-Shuhada, The Mall, Lahore |
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| Masjid-e-Shuhada- Night view |
Masjid Shuhada is incorporated as a non-profit organization and caters to the needs of the area's Muslim community by providing educational seminars, and religious services.The facility can also be used for community gatherings for the social occasions.
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