Cheraman Juma Masjid, situated in Kerala, is believed to be the first mosque of India and has played a vital role in propagation of Islam in the country. Erumeli, Changancherry, Erattupetta and Thazhathangad of Kottayam District are famous for its mosques. The magnificent state, Haryana also houses a number of Dargah and mosques. Madhudas ka Dewhra Mosque located in Varanasi was built by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. The mosque has been built in a simple way and is adorned by sky high minarets. Mumbai houses a number of mosques, the prominent ones being Jama Mosque and Haji Ali Dargah. Mosques of Gujarat are symbolic of the secular culture and tradition prevalent in India. The Alamgir Mosque built during the reign of Mughal ruler Aurungzeb is affiliated to Islam and is also known by the other names of Beni Madhav ka Darera and Aurangzeb`s Mosque. Pathar Masjid is one of the stupendous monuments at Thanesar. It was built in the seventeenth century AD in the Mughal architectural style. Among the few churches in Chennai, the important ones are the Wallajah Mosque, Thousand Lights Mosque and Kasi Viranna. Mosques of Goa are symbolic of the secular culture and tradition prevalent in India. Aurangzeb`s Mosque is located in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb is credited with the establishment of this mosque. The mosque is stretched over a wide area and is supported by many pillars that are carved beautifully. Mosques are a vital part of the heritage of Pondicherry. Like many other religious centers in Puducherry, these mosques are quite old and the religious practices are known to be conducted in them with a lot of devotion and loyalty. Pottalpudur Dargah is situated in the Tirunelveli district of the Tamil Nadu state. It is considered to be a bright example of communal harmony and secularism. The mosques in North Goa represent the idea of unity in diversity eloquently. Jammu and Kashmir serves as a home to Islamic monuments, Masjids and Dargahs, which exist in harmony with its various Hindu pilgrimage centers. Goripalayam Mosque located in Tamil Nadu was built by Thirumalai Nayak. The Urus festival of this dargah is celebrated here on the 15th night of the Islamic month of Rabi al-awwal. Dargah of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar is one of the important religious spots in Panipat. People from all walks of life visit this tomb and offer prayers. Mecca Masjid is the biggest mosque in Hyderabad, which is now in Telangana and lies within hundred yards to the southwest of Charminar. Mosques of Eastern India are the monuments of religious as well as national significance. They are also famous for their fine architecture. Kabuli Bagh Mosque is the first Mughal monument built by the then Muslim Ruler Babur and named it after his wife Kabuli Begum. |