Taj Mahal Mosque

The mosque on the side of the Taj Mahal complex, constructed in red sandstone, offers a serene contrast to the white marble beauty of the Taj. Built for the purpose of religious prayers, it has a stunning prayer hall adorned with intricate carvings and Quranic inscriptions. The simplicity and elegance of the mosque, along with its symmetrical design, echo the grandeur of Mughal architecture.

Alhamdulillah, I had got the opportunity to pray Eid ul adha Namaz in the Taj Mahal Masjid. For Eid Namaz, Masjid is open for all even for non-locals. Only locals can pray for Friday Namaz in the masjid. There is a wadu pound just in front of the masjid. It was an amazing experience praying namaz behind Taj Mahal. On the Eid day, Taj Mahal is free for everyone for almost 2 hr. Namazis doesn't need a ticket. The jamat time for Eid is 8 am.

To the west of the Taj Mahal is the mosque built by Shah Jahan of red sandstone to create a color contrast with the dominance of white and gray on the crown and its four minarets. It is a building of red sandstone inlaid with rectangular white marble. Each corner of the rectangle is equipped with an octagonal tower, rather narrow, ending in a chatri (a type of typical Hindu kiosk). On the roof there are 3 domes, one in the center and two on the right and left. They are identical except for size, as the central dome is larger than the other two. They look like two drops of water on the dome of the shrine, with two decorations each. The decoration at its base consists of two lines of geometric patterns, and one at the top is an inverted lotus. The lotus is a symbolic flower in the Hindu religion, denoting the continuity of life, human adaptation to his environment, and renewal. Each chhatri and dome has a bronze arrow pointing towards the sky. The mosque has three entrances. The main entrance is in the centre, entered through a wide iwan (a broad, high and shallow gallery typical of Persian architecture) decorated with carvings of black marble on a white marble headband. These are Quranic inscriptions as they are on the shrine. There are also stylized flowers as in the shrine. They're made with pietra dura, which is a technique of veneering stones onto a stone backing (jeweler's inlays, for that). This technique was developed by the Florentines during the 15th century and it was they who came to Agra here to make these ornaments. The other two entrances are similar to the main entrance, but they do not contain an iwan whose decorations adorn directly above the door, so it is more modest. Both openings for the false window above, are both identical in doorways. The rest of the walls of the mosque are richly decorated with marble. The decorations consist mainly of floral and botanical motifs, and sometimes simple geometric patterns. The whole is of great symmetry and the overall impression is nice. The Taj Mahal Mosque is of great beauty. Internally, being a mosque in use, it is equipped with the necessities for the practice of Islam: the lower wall has been given a mihrab, a kind of mihrab on a human scale surmounted by a semicircular vault. The imam stands at this place, which symbolizes the holiest point in the mosque. By comparison, the choir in the church, the place where believers do not give up. The mosque also contains a pulpit from which the priest preaches. The Taj Mahal's minbar is located on the right side of the mihrab. The covering of the mosque is made of rugs, and there are 596 places in the mosque. The inside is as ornate as the outside, and there are many Quranic verses inscribed on the walls in scales. The mosque also contains a small stone chamber measuring 5.5 by 2 metres, which was used to protect the remains of Mumtaz Mahal during the few days before their burial, after they were brought to Agra. Finally, the basin in front of the mosque, between it and the shrine, is used for the initial ablutions for prayer.

This is where you get that iconic shadow picture. Unfortunately it was closed off, likely due to Ramadan. But you can still kind of get some close shots. Recommend getting here early before the crowd comes. Probably run from the gate.

best sunrise views of the Taj Mahal come from here. so many photographers come here to take photos. views are stunning. so good

This beautiful mosque is at West side of Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jahan, using red sandstone. You can watch it while taking a trip to Taj Mahal, you need the full entry pass (including mausoleum) to see this mosque.

Special attention was paid to the construction of mosques by the Mughals. Mughal architecture was unmatched and flourished throughout the subcontinent. The importance of each element in the construction of the buildings is reflected in the grandeur and beauty.  Basic engineering characteristics such as midline, axes, levels and isometric were taken care of very carefully. Art of landscaping of gardens, developed continuously which was introduced by the King of Gardens means Mughal dynasty founder Emperor Zaheer Ud Din Muhammad Babur. Towards River Yamuna, parallel to the Western wall of the Taj Mahal Complex facing to the Main Mausoleum built by red sandstone is a Mosque. This magnificent sensational red sandstone building is known as Mosque Taj Mahal though it's an Answer or Jawab Mosque to maintain the symmetry with the guest house whose rear wall is parallel to the Eastern Wall and facing to the main Mausoleum. In fact this is a tectonic equilibration. This is built on a rectangular plan on an elevated platform and a rectangular court in the eastern side is also a component of the elegant mosque. All the four corners are flanked by the octagonal minarets rising from the ground and crowned with octagonal umbrellas beyond the roof top. Facade is facing to the main Mausoleum. Central Iwan is the grand one and there are three archways through the Iwans to access the main prayer hall from the court. Central Iwan is flanked by thin cylindrical decorated with white marble inlay work red sandstone minarets pointing to the sky and two same style minarets which are little lower at the adjacent Iwans edges of the facade. Roof is having bulbous white marble's domes and central dome is higher than the other two. Central prayer chamber is quite large and high. Western wall is having the white marble's Mihrab and a Minbar. Main Mihrab which is a vaulted arch having calligraphic inscription of Holy Quran Chapter 91 in Arabic which describes about the purification of the 'carnal soul' and sanctification of the heart from vice and impurities', but at the beginning of the Surah eleven great subjects from the world of creation and Divine essence are mentioned and to prove that salvation depends upon 'purification of the carnal soul' some oaths are made. These oaths envelop most of the Qur'anic oaths collectively. At the end of the Surah, the fatal end of wrongdoers. This short Surah, in fact, repeating the statement to convince about one of the most important instructive points for the destiny of Man's life, and leads him to true Islamic values. And either side of the arch Holy Quranic Inscriptions of Chapter 112 in small circles. These passages were inscribed by the Renowned Calligrapher Abdul Haq who was titled Amanat Khan. Whole prayer hall is interconnected through the archways which are supporting the roof and domes. Through octagonal minarets set in the corners narrow staircases are leading to access the superstructure. Central nave or prayer chamber's ceiling is decorated with octagonal eight pointed star filled with Islamic motifs. Walls, bottom of the archways, panels etc are decorated with paintings, engravings, inlay work etc of Islamic motifs. Prayer hall is having about 570 decorated rectangular stone prayer rugs. Exterior of this mosque is covered with red sandstone and panelled with white marble. From North and South also main prayer hall can be accessed. It's a magnificent active mosque where all the daily prayers congregations are performed under the appointed Imam. Fridays congregations are attended by local residents as they only are allowed. During visiting hours visitors are allowed and devotees can offer prayers.

At a time here pred tha slath but now it be closed. No body have permission to enter in this.