Jamia Masjid, Central mosque in Nowhatta, Srinagar, India
Jamia Masjid is a congregational mosque in the Nowhatta neighborhood of Srinagar, India, built around a square courtyard with four corner turrets. The 370 wooden pillars support the roof and create an open interior space, while three entrance gates provide access from different directions.
Sultan Sikandar ordered the construction between 1394 and 1402, establishing a central gathering place for the Muslim community. After a fire in the 17th century, Emperor Aurangzeb commissioned the reconstruction in 1672, restoring the building to its original purpose.
The name combines Arabic and Persian terms for Friday and mosque, reflecting its role as the main Friday prayer venue. Worshippers gather between the wooden columns each week, creating a shared moment of devotion that shapes the rhythm of life in the old quarter.
The three entrance gates on the north, south and east sides help manage the flow of visitors during busy prayer times and distribute access across multiple points. The large courtyard and covered halls offer space to rest and observe daily routines even outside prayer hours.
The wooden pillars are carved from Himalayan deodar cedar and have supported the roof for centuries without metal fasteners or joints. The builders combined elements from Persian designs and Buddhist pagodas, giving the structure an unusual form rarely seen elsewhere in the region.
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