DN Darshan: Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad

dynamitenews.com
New Delhi/ 19 June 2016. Mecca Masjid also known as Makkah Masjid stands in the old city of Hyderabad, Telangana. Listed as one of the largest mosques in India, Makkah Masjid formed the centerpiece around which Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah planned the city.

Dynamite News now takes you to this heritage mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. 

History
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah,the 5th Qutb Shahi Sultan of Golconda (now Hyderabad) personally laid the foundation stone during his reign that was later completed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1694 after conquering Hyderabad.

Commissioned by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah bricks were made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam, and were used in the construction of the central arch of the mosque, thus giving the mosque its name.

Architecture
The three arched facades have been carved from a single piece of granite, which took five years to quarry.

Fifteen arches support the roof of the main hall, five on each of the three sides. A wall rises on the fourth side to provide Mihrab, a semicircular niche in the wall in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Inscriptions from the Quran adorn many of the arches and doors.

The main hall of the masjid is enough to accommodate 10,000 worshipers at a time.

Festivals
Made from the stones of Mecca, the Makkah masjid of Hyderabad holds a supreme importance for the Muslims. 

Congregation of thousands of Muslims happens especially during the month of Ramadan.

The place turns blest during the month of Ramadan that ends with Eid ul Fitr popularly known as Eid.