Jama Masjid, also called Masjid-I-Jahanuma, is the principal mosque of Old Delhi, in New Delhi, west of the Red Fort. Its Mughal architecture and position near the old city’s markets make it a useful stop on a day exploring this historic district.
- Location: Off Netaji Subhash Marg, west of the Red Fort
- Visitor hours: Different opening times apply to Indian and foreign tourists; both run until sunset
- Entry: Free for Indian tourists; ₹400 for foreign tourists
Jama Masjid and its place in Old Delhi
Jama Masjid is a major Mughal mosque and a defining landmark of Old Delhi. Delhi Tourism says construction began in 1644, describing it as the final architectural extravagance of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
The mosque has three gates, four towers and two minarets that rise 40 metres. Its large rectangular courtyard has an ablution tank at its centre, with a raised platform called a dikka in front. The courtyard can hold 25,000 devotees.
The eastern, northern and southern gates offer different approaches into the complex. Take in the scale of the courtyard and the mosque’s domes before moving on through the surrounding Old Delhi streets.
How do you get to Jama Masjid?
Jama Masjid is about a 30-minute walk or 14-minute drive from Hotel Raj. The mosque is off Netaji Subhash Marg, west of the Red Fort, and Chawri Bazaar is a metro station for reaching it.
For public transport, use Chawri Bazaar as your station reference, then make your way to the mosque. If you take a car, plan your arrival around visitor hours and prayer-time restrictions.
Chandni Chowk is a natural next stop in the same Old Delhi outing: the area has shops and food stalls, and a day itinerary for Old Delhi can help connect its main sights.
Visitor access, dress and photography
Visitor access depends on the time of day, and non-Muslim visitors should also account for the Friday midday prayer restriction.
The mosque is open every day, with foreign-tourist hours from 8:00 AM until sunset and Indian-tourist hours from 11:00 AM until sunset. Non-Muslim visitors are excluded for two hours around Friday midday prayers, and tourists are not allowed inside during prayer times.
Entry is free for Indian tourists and ₹400 for foreign tourists; photography is free. After sunset, only devotees are admitted for Isha prayer. The mosque closes after that prayer and reopens at Fajr for devotees, then closes again until tourist hours.
Visitors must enter barefoot and wear suitable clothing. Cover your knees; robes or suitable attire can be hired at the northern gate. Shoes can be left outside for a small fee.
Hours, fees and access arrangements can change. For current details, check the official site before you go.
What can you pair with Jama Masjid nearby?
The Red Fort lies west of Jama Masjid, making the two landmarks a straightforward pairing for an Old Delhi visit. For background and planning details, see how to plan a Red Fort visit.
The lanes around Jama Masjid have Mughlai and street-food outlets, including mutton burra, fish cutlets and chicken tikka, as well as shahi tukda and mango kulfi.
Chandni Chowk adds market streets and food stalls to the day. A guide to visiting Chandni Chowk can help you shape the market portion of your route.
The mosque, market and fort make a varied day exploring Old Delhi’s main sights.
FAQs
What are Jama Masjid’s visitor hours?
Foreign tourists can visit from 8:00 AM until sunset and Indian tourists from 11:00 AM until sunset. Tourist entry is not allowed during prayer times.
How much are Jama Masjid tickets?
Entry is free for Indian tourists and ₹400 for foreign tourists. Photography is free.
What should you wear to Jama Masjid?
Visitors must be barefoot and suitably dressed. Cover your knees; robes or suitable attire can be hired at the northern gate.
Which sights are near Jama Masjid?
The Red Fort is west of the mosque, while Chandni Chowk is a nearby area with shops and food stalls.