Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore

Grand Jamia Mosque
Basic information
Location Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Affiliation Sunni Islam
District Lahore
Province Punjab
Year consecrated 2014
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Mosque
Leadership Malik Riaz
Website Grand Jamia Masjid.com
Architectural description
Architectural type Mosque
Architectural style Islamic, Mughal
Construction cost ₨4 billion (US$39 million)
Specifications
Capacity 70,000
Dome(s) 21
Minaret(s) 4
Minaret height 165 feet

Grand Jamia Mosque Lahore is a mosque located in Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan. With a capacity of 70,000 worshiper's, It is the third largest mosque in Pakistan and the seventh largest mosque in the world.[1]

Designed by Nayyar Ali Dada, it was inaugurated on Eid al-Adha on 6 October 2014. It can accommodate 25,000 worshipers indoors, while the courtyard and corridor leading to the main halls of worship can accommodate a total of 70,000.[2] The architecture is influenced by Badshahi Masjid, Wazir Khan Mosque and Sheikh Zayed Mosque, with construction costs of over 4 billion rupees (or approximately $39 million).[3][4]

The structure comprises four minarets, each 165 ft tall, and a grand dome, which is surrounded by 20 smaller domes. The exterior is surfaced with 4 million handmade Multani tiles. The interior is decorated with custom-made carpets imported from Turkey and over 50 chandeliers imported from Iran. One of the floors consists of an Islamic heritage museum displaying rare Quranic collections, an Islamic library and also an Islamic art gallery with various antique artifacts.[5] Over four million Multani handcrafted mosaic tiles cover the surface area of the mosque.[6]

Design

The base of the entire structure is elevated 20 feet above the ground, with the rooftop elevating to 80 feet and the Grand Dome placed in the center surrounded by 20 smaller domes. Marking the extremities of the entire structure are the towering minarets standing 165 feet tall. The mosque include's 6 arched shape wooden doors and then dazzles you with views of white chandeliers, tile-mosaic and frescos of extraordinary beauty. The Center Dome is the crown jewel of this magnificent piece of craftsmanship. Rising 40 ft. in height and spreading 50 ft.[7]

The indigenous Architecture is woven in entirely local materials, reflecting the true essence of Indo-Islamic architecture with a rich blend of modern elements. The main structure is created from “Brick Gutka” made of special “Multani Mitti” to avoid saltpeter commonly found in Lahore Bricks. the brick structure has been extensively decorated with vibrant colored glazed tile mosaic art, displayed in geometrical shapes and floral patterns.it was designed to be an architectural wonder in 6.6 million that incorporated both modern and classic Islamic artistic styles. Greek and Italian white marble covers the exterior, while Islamic calligraphy decorates the inside. 4.5 million handmade ceramic tiles were hand placed by the craftsmen, which alone took 4 years. The octagonal shaped minarets stand majestically tall at 165 ft. and are a beautiful exhibit of craftsmanship. The base of each minaret has 4 arch shaped wooden doors decorated with extensive mosaic art in vibrant colors that ascend all the way to the top of the structure. Each minaret has wooden balconies made from “Sheesham” and the rooftops are copula shaped canopies.[7]

The landscaped courtyard has been designed in the typical "Charbagh" style, which is a Persian-style garden layout seen in many great mosques of the Sub-Continent. The quad shaped garden is divided into four sections, through four walkways with a beautiful water fountain in the center.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "World's seven largest Mosques". Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Pakistan's third largest mosque,". timesofindia-economictimes. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "New Lahore mosque will have largest indoor capacity". The Express Tribune. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Bahria Town mosques open". The Nation. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Unparalleled achievement: Zardari inaugurates Pakistan's largest mosque". The Express Tribune. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Beautiful Mosque Pictures". www.beautifulmosque.com. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
  7. 1 2 3 "Grand Jamia Masjid, Bahria Town Lahore « Islamic Arts and Architecture". Islamic Arts and Architecture. Retrieved 2016-10-25.

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