Dec 292013
 

A Visit to the Mecca Masjid Hyderabad: Clicking Pictures and offering Prayers

I have been to Charminar and its surrounding lanes many a time to click pictures, soak in the essence of Old Hyderabad, do shopping at the night market during Ramazan. But the place keeps on pulling me back to itself with the force that can rival Bermudas Triangle. This weekend I was lucky enough to visit one of the holiest mosque in India the Mecca Masjid or Makkah Masjid as it’s called in Hyderabad. Just about 200 yards south of Charminar stands the grand mosque that was built by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah the fifth Emperor of Golconda, from the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

The central arch of the  Mecca Masjid  has bricks made from soil brought from Mecca the holiest cities in Islam, hence the name Mecca Masjid.  I reached the Mecca Masjid after clicking pictures of surrounding area and was wondering if photography would be allowed or not inside the mosque.

Mecca Masjid Hyderabad India - Travel Blog

Mecca Masjid or Makkah Masjid is one of the oldest and holiest mosques in Hyderabad

As I was standing with my photographer friends near the magnificent gate of the mosque, a wave of faithful pushed me inside the mosque only to be stopped by the security.  After a search like they do at the airport they guided me to the locker room to keep my camera bag and now I was free to click pictures of the Mecca Masjid.

red bricks made from soil of holy city of mecca

Red bricks made from soil brought from holy city of Mecca

old man at mecca masjid- India travel blog

This Old gentleman has been coming to Mecca Masjid since his childhood

A few kids were running among a flock of pigeons, which were enjoying feeding on the grains being thrown by some visitors.  I chatted with this old gentleman who has been coming here since his childhood to feed the pigeons. You need to climb a few stairs before you reach the courtyard with a huge tank with water to clean yourself before offering the prayers. A burqa nashin khatoon ( a lady with a hijab), floated rose flowers in the water tank and silently offered her prayers.

prayers at Mecca Masjid with charminar in background

A lady floats roses in the water tank before praying at Mecca Masjid

 While clicking pictures I saw some graves in a long corridor on the left side of the mosque.  A khidmatgar (one who serves god) invited me inside and enlightened me about the graves. This long corridor is the final resting place of many members of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, with a central grave of 6th Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan. It is believed that if you are ever bitten by a snake and you remember Nizam Mahboob Ali then the poison of snake will not harm you.

graves of asaf jahi nizam family mecca masjid India travel blog

The Graves of Nizams  of Asaf Jahi Dynasty at Mecca Masjid

 The Khidmatgar smeared my forehead with some ashes and blessed me with a fan made of peacock feathers. As I was about to leave another elderly Khidmatgar approached me and asked if I have been inside the mosque.  On learning that I have never been inside of Mecca Masjid, he invited me inside the holy mosque and explained the history of the Mecca Masjid.

He was kind enough to offer me a cap made of straw to cover my head and gave me a guided tour of the awe-inspiring, glorious mosque. Once the tour was done he asked me to pray; now I was a little embarrassed as I have never prayed in a mosque before, but the kind gentleman showed me how to offer prayer to the almighty one.

blue carpet with golden arches at Mecca Masjid

The Blue carpet with golden arches at Mecca Masjid

I kneeled, on the azure carpet with golden arches,  closed my eyes and bowed my head offering my prayers and requesting the almighty one for blessings. Those few moments when my eyes were closed were so soothing and peaceful that it is tough to explain in words.   I checked with the gentleman if I can click some pictures of the inside of the mosque and he pointed me what all to click, the chandeliers that were packed to be opened only during the holy month of Ramazan, the clock that shows the timings to offer prayers.  Once I had my fill I came out with a wonderful feeling, and still not believing that I have just had an exclusive view of the Mecca Masjid with only me, and 2 Khidmatgars and an old man reading holy Quran inside the mosque.

clocks telling prayer timings at Mecca Masjid

Timings for Zohar, Fazar, Magrib, Asar, Esha and Juma Prayers

An Old man reading Quran at Mecca Masjid

Besides me and 2 Khidmatgars, only this old man reading Quran was present in Masjid

In my entire sojourn inside the Mecca Masjid with the khidmatgars I got separated with my shutterbug friends, and once out I saw them clicking the pictures. I checked with the old gentleman if he can show my friends also the inside of the mosque.  His answer told me that I have been blessed

Yeh ibadat kee jagah  hai ghoomne kee nahi, aap naseeb wale hain isleely aap ko under le gaya tha”

Here is the translation

“This is a place of worship and not a tourist place; I took you inside because you seem to be blessed one”

I thanked him once again and in my heart thanked the almighty one also for giving me a chance to visit one of the holiest mosques in India the Mecca Masjid

Green Gates of the Mecca Masjid with pigeons

The Grand Green Gate of Mecca Masjid

How to reach Mecca Masjid: It is a walking distance and visible from Charminar, just follow this Google map

Best time to visit: The mosque is open to the public from 8 am to 8 pm on all seven days, with Friday being the busiest day.

Travelers Tip: Remember what the old Khidmatgar said” It is a place of worship”, so dress appropriately, do not click pictures of people without permission, and most importantly cherish the divine experience. May almighty bless you also.

faithful returning after prayers at Mecca Masjid

Some faithful returning after prayers

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  8 Responses to “Offering Prayers at Mecca Masjid Hyderabad”

Comments (8)
  1. Last summers I was there but afraid so that they wouldn’t allow women inside the main mosque? Do you have any idea?

  2. What gorgeous shots. I love that green door!

  3. Wow!! that picture of the green door!!

    Now I so wish I get to see and experience the inside of a mosque. I’m really, really thankful to you for taking me inside H’bad’s Mecca-Masjid.

  4. I was there but didn’t venture so close. Lovely pics.
    A very happy new year to you!

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