Nakhoda Mosque Kolkata

Kolkata, a mix of various cultures, religions, castes and classes, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the world. Hidden in its bustling streets, and busy bastis, are people who belong to different parts of the world, have varied cultural identities, and follow diverse religious faiths. In such a secular place, it is not surprising that one will find a Muslim walking beside a Christian, or a Jew and Hindu seated side by side, or Jews and Jains and Sikhs living in the same neighborhood. Based on this observation, it follows, consequently, that the different places of worship of these various religions also do co-exist on the streets of Kolkata. One of the famous mosques in the heart of the city is the Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata.

The Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata, located in Jacquaria Street, near the junction of Chitpore Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road was founded by Abdar Rahim Osman, a resident of Cutch in 1926. The massive red sandstone mosque was constructed on the lines of Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, Agra. The magnificent dome shaped mosque made of red sandstone has two minarets, each about 151ft. high and 25 tiny pillars all around, which are 100ft. - 117ft. tall. The finest specimen of the Indo-Saracenic school of architecture, the Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata, is an outstanding exhibition of superb embellishment and artistic extravaganza.

The Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata, contains a spacious prayer hall that can hold up to 10,000 men performing the 'Namaaz' at one time. Each floor of the mosque has a prayer hall, with top floor having views of the streets below. The gateway of the Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata, is a replica of Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, which required granite stones to be brought from Tolepur.

Now an endangered heritage site, the Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata, seems to take on life during the holy Muslim festivals such as Id and Ramzan. At these times, the entire mosque is decked out with neon lights and flowers and devout Muslims from all over Kolkata gather together at the mosque premises to offer prayers. Governed by a board of trustees, the Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata, is one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata.