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Mecca Masjid

Situated near the Charminar, The Mecca Masjid is the main place of worship for the Muslim living in Hyderabad. It is one of the Mosques in world, capable of accomodating over 10,000 worshippers. It is the most impressive mosque in South India. Its lofty colon nodes and door arches are made out of single slabs of Granite, brought from a stone quarry, 11 km. North of Charminar and pulled by 1,400 bullocks. It was com menced in 1614 by the 5th Qutub Shahi King, Abdullah Qutub Shah, and completed in 1687 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when he annexed the Golconda Kingdom. It is also said that the foundation of the mosque was laid by the Qutub Shahi King himself a uniquely pious man who had not missed a single prayer since the age of 12 years.Another legend links its name to a brick which was brought from Mecca and which they say, still adorns the buildings.To the left of the Mosque is an enclosure containing the tombs of the Nizams who ruled Hyderabad after the Qutub Shahis.

One of the largest mosque in the world (accommodating up to 10,000 worshippers) Construction began in 1614, during the reign of Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, but wasn't finished until 1687, by which Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had annexed the Golconda kingdom and completed this Masjid in 1693.The hall is 67m by 54m and 23m high.The roof is supported by 15 arches, 5 on each of the three sides.The western side is blocked by a high wall to provide the Mehrib. This mosque is one of the largest mosque in India and can accommodate ten thousand people at a time.
The minarets look rather stunted in comparison with the grandeur of the whole massive structure. But it looks more Mughal then Qutub Shah in its perfect granite finish and vast courtyard. A particular stone brick in the mihrab is believed to have been brought from Mecca. The name is derived from the Grand Mosque at Mecca on which it is patterned. The hall measures 67 mt. by 54 Mt. and is 23 Mt. in height. Fifteen arches, five on each of the three sides, support the roof. A high wall to provide the Mehrab blocks the western side. Each of the two octagonal columns on either side are made out of a single piece of granite, It took about 8000 Masons and laborers and 77 years to complete. At each end are two huge octagonal columns made out of a single piece of granite each topped by an arched gallery that is crowned by a dom

Mecca Masjid is the oldest and the biggest of the mosques situated in Hyderabad city. About 10,000 people can offer prayers in this mosque at a time. It is said that Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah began the construction of the Masjid in 1617 but the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb completed the construction in 1694. The Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad is located just 100 yards away from the famous and historic Charminar.

The name of the mosque has an interesting short story behind it. It is believed that some bricks were brought from Mecca and inserted in the walls of its main arch. Hence it came to be known as Mecca Masjid. There are fifteen arches that support the hall of the mosque. Three walls of the great hall have five arches each. This huge hall is 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long. No wonder it can accommodate about 10,000 people at a time during worship. It is said that about 8000 workers had been employed to construct this grand mosque. The mosque took 77 years to be completed.

Innumerable sermons from the Quran (the holy book of Muslims) have been intricately depicted on the arches of the Mecca Masjid. You can have a quiet and serene moment with yourself near the man made pond, which has soothing blue water. There are seating arrangements at the edges of the pond and it is believed that if a visitor sits on it, the person will surely visit Hyderabad again. There is a room in the courtyard of the mosque that stores ancient and holy relics. It is believed to contain the hair of Prophet Mohammed