Grand
Jamia Mosque Lahore is
a mosque located in Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan.
With a capacity of 70,000 worshippers, it is the third largest mosque in
Pakistan and the fourteenth largest mosque in the world.
Designed by Nayyar Ali Dada,
it was inaugurated on Eid al-Adha on 6 October 2014. It can
accommodate 25,000 worshipers indoors, while the courtyard and corridor leading
to the main halls of worship can accommodate a total of 70,000. The
architecture is influenced by Badshahi Masjid, Wazir Khan Mosque and Sheikh
Zaid Mosque.
The
indigenous Architecture is woven in entirely local materials, reflecting the
true essence of Indo-Islamic architecture with a rich blend of modern elements.
The landscaped courtyard has been designed in the typical Charbagh style, which is a Persian style garden layout
seen in many great mosques of the Sub-Continent. The quad shaped garden is
divided into four sections, through four walkways with a beautiful water
fountain in the center.
The
structure comprises four minarets, each 165 ft. tall, and a grand dome,
which is surrounded by 20 smaller domes. The exterior is surfaced with 4
million handmade Multani tiles. The interior is decorated with custom made
carpets imported from Turkey and over 50 chandeliers imported
from Iran. One of the floors consists of an Islamic heritage museum
displaying rare Quranic collections, an Islamic library and also an Islamic art
gallery with various antique artifacts. Over four million Multani handcrafted mosaic
tiles cover the surface area of the mosque.
The base of
the entire structure is elevated 20 feet above the ground, with the rooftop
elevating to 80 feet and the Grand Dome placed in the center surrounded by 20
smaller domes. Marking the extremities of the entire structure are the towering
minarets standing 165 feet tall. The mosque includes 6 arched shape wooden
doors and then dazzles you with views of white chandeliers, tile-mosaic and
frescos of extraordinary beauty. The Center Dome is the crown jewel of this
magnificent piece of craftsmanship. Rising 40 ft. in height and spreading
50 ft..
