The only Heritage City of India is located in a city with 600-year-old customs and culture, as well as religions such as Islamic, Hinduism, and Jainism weaved across the country. Ahmedabad was awarded the distinguished distinction due to the well-planned layout of the old city and the mediaeval carved wooden buildings known as pols.
The city's culture and customs were inspired by the people's religious beliefs when it was founded by Ahmed Shah. Muslims, Jains, and Hindus all live in the same city and respect each other's faiths and beliefs.
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For Muslims, mosques are hallowed spiritual sanctuaries where regular prayer masses are held. Ahmedabad has a number of mosques, but Jama Masjid is one of the oldest and most prominent Islamic shrines. It is one of the city's most recognisable architectural landmarks.
Tourists go to the sacred site, which is also known as Jumma Mosque or Jami, to marvel at its incredible design. According to legend, the mosque was the country's largest mosque at the time. The magnificent mosque's unrivalled appeal attracts a large number of visitors each year.
Word Juma is said to have been derived from the auspicious Friday when Muslims all over the world offer their prayers or Namaz.
Ahmedabad's Jama Masjid has history :-
In the mediaeval walled city, near Bhadra Fort, is a stunning mosque commissioned by Ahmed Shah I, the city's founder, in 1424. This magnificent mosque was built as a private shrine for the Gujarat Sultans and took thirteen years to construct.
Construction started with its foundation being laid in the year 1411 and was completed in 1424. It was built using the remains from the old Jain and Hindu temples. A black slab located near the arch is believed to be the base of a Jain idol.
It is known from an inscription that the sacred site was inaugurated by Ahmed Shah on 4th January 1424 and was initially used only by him and his family. Later general public was allowed to visit the mosque to offer their prayers.
Ahmedabad's Jama Masjid has a unique design :-
Sacred complex options are beautiful designs, with a comprehensive reflection of Indoor Saracenic design type. Attacking 75 M and 66 M rectangular dishes, three entrances. Prayer Hall Takes one side of God's house, but the remaining part of the square scale on the third floor is backed by Coronade.
Evenly spaced columns adorned with beautiful Arabic calligraphy and the interiors ornamented with Indo-Saracenic motifs add charm to the imposing mosque. Another noteworthy feature is the well decorated Qibla or the wall of the prayer hall.
A splendid archway greets its visitor to witness the splendour of the ancient mosque. Lower parts of the two minarets or the shaking minarets that were demolished due to the 1819 earthquake can be found at the entrance.
The rectangular prayer hall with around 260 impressive columns is topped with fifteen imposing domes. Square bays are formed by the space between four pillars supported by a dome that is used to perform Namaz.
Built in yellow sandstone as several other historical monuments in the city, light enters the sacred complex through its domes. Jalis or the pierced stone screens are located between the two pillars of the central openings
A rectangular basin, located in the centre of the marble floored courtyard is used for performing ritual ablutions. As regular practise devotees wash their hands and face in the holy tank.
An ancient sacred site for Muslims reflects a few impressions of Jainism and Hinduism faiths. Some of the beautiful domes are shaped like lotus flowers resembling the domes of the Jain temples.
Similar to the bells of Hindu temples, visitors can encounter pillars carved in the form of a bell hanging on a chain. One can catch a glimpse of a carving of the Om symbol in one of the innermost windows. Jain and Hindu motifs can be noticed on the walls.
Adjacent to the mosque lays the mausoleum of the founder of the city, Ahmed Shah, his son Muhammad Shah and grandson Qutub-ud-din Ahmed Shah II. Graves of their wives are located near it. Visitors would soak in the splendour of the mosque.
Enchanted with the grandeur of the striking mosque, Sir John Marshall had declared it as a classical example of architecture.
How to get there : -
By Road :- Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road. State and private buses are a great option to travel between smaller towns in the state.
By Train :- Major Indian cities are also connected via the Ahmedabad railway station that lies on the western railways network. The main railway station is located in Kalupur area. This station falls under the prominent national railway circuit and is connected to all major cities of India. India’s first bullet train project will be connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad by December 2023. It will run at a speed of 320 kmph and cover the distance in 3 hours.
By Air :- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad connects all major cities in India and key cities abroad to the state.
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