Charminar and Mecca Masjid are two landmarks of Hyderabad and pigeons are another landmarks of mecca masjid where all Nizams of Hyderabad lie in peace. The historical Mecca Masjid abounds with flocks of cooing pigeons. Hundreds of people come here every morning to feed the pigeons including non Muslims in considerable number. Mecca masjid is a photographer’s delight. Mecca Masjid is a popular sightseeing attraction of Hyderabad which is situated towards the south-west of Charminar, at a distance of about 150 meters. Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad is famous for its splendid architecture.
Mecca Masjid is considered as the oldest and the biggest of all mosques in Hyderabad. The construction of this mosque began in 1617 by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. But it was Aurangazeb, the Mughal Emperor, who completed the construction of this mosque in the year 1694. Mecca Masjid was named so since the bricks for the central arch of this mosque were brought from Mecca. The main feature of Mecca Masjid is its hall which is about 23 meters high, 67 meters wide and 55 meters long. The three walls of this huge hall are supported by fifteen arches, five arches each. Each of the fifteen arches is portrayed with sermons from the Holy Book of Quran. It is said that the hall of Mecca Masjid can accommodate about 10,000 people at a time during worship.
There is a pond within the complex with seating arrangements at the edges. There is also a room in the courtyard that stores holy relics, among which the most important is the hair of Prophet Mohammed.
Watching these ambassadors of peace- the pigeons around this pond and in background of Charminar is a fulfilling experience.
