The
Jami Masjid is a "Friday mosque," a large mosque traditionally used for
the holy day services. It is located to the side of the Taj Mahal, and
is fronted by the traditional ablutions pool. The interior of the
mosque is stark, with the
qiblah (niche pointing toward Mecca) in the center. Unlike the
jami masjid mosques encountered in the near east, this mosque does not
contain the trappings of use, such as the suspended lamps, carpets and
the minbar, from which the imam delivers the sermon. In this respect it
is very similar to the nearby Jami Masjid of Agra. Stark or not, it is
a working mosque and, appropriately, the Taj Mahal is closed every
Friday for worship services. The Jami Masjid mosque is constructed of
the same red sandstone found at both the nearby Agra Fort and at
Fatehpur Sikri. The photo to the left shows a frontal view of the
mosque, while the photo to the right offers of view of the mosque from
the gardens.
The
Jami Masjid is a "Friday mosque," a large mosque traditionally used for
the holy day services. It is located to the side of the Taj Mahal, and
is fronted by the traditional ablutions pool. The interior of the
mosque is stark, with the
qiblah (niche pointing toward Mecca) in the center. Unlike the
jami masjid mosques encountered in the near east, this mosque does not
contain the trappings of use, such as the suspended lamps, carpets and
the minbar, from which the imam delivers the sermon. In this respect it
is very similar to the nearby Jami Masjid of Agra. Stark or not, it is
a working mosque and, appropriately, the Taj Mahal is closed every
Friday for worship services. The Jami Masjid mosque is constructed of
the same red sandstone found at both the nearby Agra Fort and at
Fatehpur Sikri. The photo to the left shows a frontal view of the
mosque, while the photo to the right offers of view of the mosque from
the gardens.