Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, Mosque in Ajmer, India
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is a mosque in Ajmer district, India, protected as a monument of national importance. The interior is supported by 344 columns that hold up ten domes, while the sandstone walls and columns are covered with fine carvings.
Qutb-ud-din Aibak commissioned the structure in 1199, reusing materials from an earlier Jain temple that had stood on the site since 660. The conversion marked the arrival of Islamic architecture in the region and reflected the political shifts of that era.
The prayer hall displays decorated stone arches with Arabic inscriptions that span several levels, reflecting how different artistic traditions came together. Visitors today see a mix of columns from different origins standing side by side, telling the story of how the building came to be.
The site includes a large water tank for ritual washing near the entrance. The compound is open to visitors who want to explore the prayer hall and the surrounding structures.
The name translates to shed of two and a half days, referring to a local story about the remarkably short building time. This tradition is often told, even though the actual completion likely took much longer.
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