Mosques in Indore
Mosques in Indore
Indore is a city of many religions. Apart from Hinduism, there is a sizeable population of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists in the city whose religious structures form an integral part of the Indore landscape.
The Muslims are a significant part of the local population, numbering over half a million people. They play a significant part in the socio-cultural dynamics of the city. The Muslim community in Indore is largely composed of two sects, the Bohras and the Sunnis. The Bohras are concentrated in the commercial places of Indore while the Sunnis live in seven or eight clusters within the city.
The influence of Mughal rule over the ruling Holkar dynasty led to the establishment of many mosques in and around Indore. These mosques are not only places of worship for the local Muslim community but also a place for hosting Islamic festivals and social gatherings. Indore mosques are also impressive testimonials of Islamic architectural styles replete with minarets, cupolas, towers and marble facades.
Some of the famous mosques in Indore are:
Masjid-E-Saifee
- Madina Masjid in Madina Nagar, Azad Nagar
The Madina Masjid is a three storied Sunni traditional mosque located in the centre of Indore. It is a pivotal place of worship for the local Muslim community and all prayers including formal Jum’a are conducted here. - Jama Masjid, Indore
If you are planning to go sightseeing, the beautiful Jama Masjid in Indore near the Jain Kanch Mandir will surely attract your eyes. It is an important place for Muslims around the area. As a tourist, it will be comforting to know that there are a number of hotels in its vicinity. - Masjid E Saifee in Saify Nagar, Transport Nagar
This is another well known mosque in Indore worth visiting. Any tourist will be awestruck by the solemn interior which gives a great feel to the place. It has fairly regularized prayer timings.
Other Mosques in Indore
The other mosques in Indore which are a center of worship and learning are the Saifee Mohla Bohra Masjid in the Bartan bazaar, Noorani Masjid in Azad Nagar, Dawoodi Bohra Mosque in Siyaganj, Gulzaar Colony Mosque in Madina nagar, Moti Tabela Masjid in Chhatribagh, Chandshahwali Darghah in Snehlataganj and many others.
Some of the well known mosques around Indore include:
- Taj ul Masjid- This mosque literally meaning “the crown of mosques” was built by the third female ruler of Bhopal, Shah Jahan Begum. There is a huge courtyard with a water tank in its center. It is a place for religious discussion, prayer as well as study.
The Taj ul Masjid is a large mosque with two pink minarets and three onion shaped domes. The colour is a slight reddish-pink of sandstone. The acoustics of this mosque is brilliant and you will not fail to hear the reverberation which happens to any sound inside the religious building. - Moti Masjid- This mosque was built by the second female ruler of Bhopal. It is not without reason that the Moti masjid is known as the “Pearl Mosque”. Constructed in the early 19th century, the simplicity and elegance of the mosque will appeal to all tourists who come to visit this place.
With a marble facade, the mosque exhibits eleven arched entrances culminating in a large central one. There are also two red minarets which beautifully frame the structure. - Jama Masjid- This mosque is another imposing structure in Bhopal built by Qudsia Begum in 1837. Located in Loha bazaar, it is the centre of the historic city. It fascinates all and sundry with its architecture crowned by minarets displaying gold spikes at their top.
- The D - It is one of Mandu’s oldest mosques. Located near the Hindola Mahal it was built by Dilawar Khan Ghuri in 1405! As a tourist, you will be fascinated by their historic details and architectural splendour replete with pillars said to be taken from dismantled local temples.
There are a few restaurants like the Shivani restaurant, the Rupmati restaurant in its vicinity.
All the mosques in Indore are well connected by the local transportation system. They are a must visit for any tourist for their socio-cultural value as a place of worship, historic glory and serene architectural splendour.