Grand Jamia Mosque
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Grand Jamia Mosque Lahore is a mosque located in Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan. 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 Zayed Mosque, with construction costs of over 4 billion rupees (or approximately $39 million).
Architecture and Design
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The total area of the mosque is 99,420 sq. ft. 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 include's 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.
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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 main structure is created from “Brick Gutka” made of special “Multani Mitti” to avoid saltpeter commonly found in Lahore Bricks. The brick structure has been extensively decorated with vibrant colored glazed tile mosaic art, displayed in geometrical shapes and floral patterns. 4.5 million handmade ceramic tiles were hand placed by the craftsmen, which alone took 4 years.
The octagonal shaped minarets stand majestically tall at 165 ft. and are a beautiful exhibit of craftsmanship. The base of each minaret has 4 arch shaped wooden doors decorated with extensive mosaic art in vibrant colors that ascend all the way to the top of the structure. Each minaret has wooden balconies made from “Sheesham” and the rooftops are copula shaped canopies.
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 courtyard is walled by corridors on all sides, made up of arch shaped aisles and columns that form rows of endless arches which create a magical effect like that of an arch shaped tunnel leading into a completely new dimension.
In Islam the garden prefigures Paradise and the tradition of paradise garden designs originated from the Mughals. The courtyard serves as an outdoor praying facility as well as a getaway, rich with greenery and an abundance of trees and flowers.
The inner side of the Center Dome is beautifully decorated with mosaic art in subtle colors and inspiring patterns that descend into the elegantly detailed “Mihrab”. To the right of the Mihrab is the “Minbar” and the mosque has been designed such that the Imam is visible to all the worshippers even when the prayer hall is full. The Minbar is simple yet elegant, made from “Sheesham”, standing 12 ft. high and placed strategically so the voice of the Imam is able to travel to all four corners of the mosque through a natural echo which is created when the sound waves bounce back from the main dome and travel through the surrounding domes.
The walkways are furnished with a fine quality wool carpet that has been custom-made and imported from Turkey. There are 3 layers of cushioning beneath the carpet making it extraordinarily comfortable and relaxing. The floors are tiled with stone color marble and the walls have woodwork done on them complemented by mosaic art. The ground floor comprises of the main prayer hall that is divided into 4 compartments, each separated by an arch and a staircase leading to the 1st floor. The first floor has wooden balconies made from black “Sheesham” which blend in perfect harmony with the luminous white chandeliers hanging from the Center Dome.
The octagonal shaped minarets stand majestically tall at 165 ft. and are a beautiful exhibit of craftsmanship. The base of each minaret has 4 arch shaped wooden doors decorated with extensive mosaic art in vibrant colors that ascend all the way to the top of the structure. Each minaret has wooden balconies made from “Sheesham” and the rooftops are copula shaped canopies.
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 courtyard is walled by corridors on all sides, made up of arch shaped aisles and columns that form rows of endless arches which create a magical effect like that of an arch shaped tunnel leading into a completely new dimension.
In Islam the garden prefigures Paradise and the tradition of paradise garden designs originated from the Mughals. The courtyard serves as an outdoor praying facility as well as a getaway, rich with greenery and an abundance of trees and flowers.
The inner side of the Center Dome is beautifully decorated with mosaic art in subtle colors and inspiring patterns that descend into the elegantly detailed “Mihrab”. To the right of the Mihrab is the “Minbar” and the mosque has been designed such that the Imam is visible to all the worshippers even when the prayer hall is full. The Minbar is simple yet elegant, made from “Sheesham”, standing 12 ft. high and placed strategically so the voice of the Imam is able to travel to all four corners of the mosque through a natural echo which is created when the sound waves bounce back from the main dome and travel through the surrounding domes.
The walkways are furnished with a fine quality wool carpet that has been custom-made and imported from Turkey. There are 3 layers of cushioning beneath the carpet making it extraordinarily comfortable and relaxing. The floors are tiled with stone color marble and the walls have woodwork done on them complemented by mosaic art. The ground floor comprises of the main prayer hall that is divided into 4 compartments, each separated by an arch and a staircase leading to the 1st floor. The first floor has wooden balconies made from black “Sheesham” which blend in perfect harmony with the luminous white chandeliers hanging from the Center Dome.
