The guide instructed me to be at the Mecca Masjid Hyderabad sharp at 8A.M. I went there and he guided me and told me every detail about it. Finally I was in one of the largest mosque of India. It was so huge that it left me in awe.
Mecca Masjid Hyderabad | Image Resource : wikipedia.org
The Mecca Masjid was built using Islamic architecture, and has the reputation of being the oldest mosque in Hyderabad. My attraction towards the historical and architectural places pulled me towards it. It is located in the capital of the area between the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is close to the Charminar and Laad Bazar. It is believed that Md. Quli Qutb Shah happened to bring soil from Mecca to construct the Mosque’s Central Arch and that was how the mosque got its name.
Mecca Masjid Frontage | Image Resource : wikipedia.org
From a single piece of granite, the arched facades were carved. It took five years to complete the foundation stone of the Masjid laid personally Md. Quli Qutb. Later, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb completed the construction. The height of the mosque hall is 75 feet, width is 220 feet, and length is 180 feet and it can successfully accommodate a total of 10,000 worshipers all at the same time. The roof of the main hall was supported by 15 arches.
Graves in the Makkah Masjid | Image Resource : wikipedia.org
The main structure of the mosque is between two massive pieces of granite. It is believed that people who sit on the stone and slab benches will return to sit on them again. Motifs of flower and frieges remind every tourist that every minute detail in the architectural design has been crafted perfectly. It resembles the Gol Konda Fort and Charminar. The Koran inscriptions adorn the doors, walls and many of the arches.
Makkah Masjid Minaret | Image Resource : wikipedia.org
With over population and shortage of maintenance, the structure of Masjid has withered. To prevent the Mecca Masjid Hyderabad, the Govt. of Andra Pradesh made it a zone free of traffic in 2001 in the month of August. It took quite a long time to go through the entire Masjid. The minarets and cornices are not so high in comparison to minarets on the mazaar. The Mecca Masjid was located just few meters away from Charminar. I enjoyed a lot and gathered lots of information while visiting. I was overwhelmed and believe me, it would be a sacrilege if you come to Hyderabad and do not visit Mecca Masjid.
Manthan Diary 