Mecca Masjid or Makka Masjid is the biggest and the oldest mosque of Hyderabad located adjacent to Charminar in a south-west direction. The mosque was built through the efforts of Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Quli Qutub Shah dynasty. It was Commissioned in 1614, however, the construction saw completion only in the year 1694 with 8000 masons who worked round the clock. This gorgeous mosque was named after the Grand Mosque in Mecca as the bricks used for its construction were brought all the way from the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This ancient mosque has a large hall that can accommodate over 10,000 worshippers at any given time. Its interiors are a testament to the grandeur of the rulers of the Quli dynasty. Mecca Masjid is not only a pilgrimage site but also houses the tombs of the Nizams and Asaf Jahan rulers.
The architecture of the mosque is as massive as it detailed in design. A grand gateway welcomes you to a path that leads up to the entrance of the court where you will find a scintillating water fountain with a vast pond of water is situated right nearby. The main prayer hall in the mosque is approximately a 75-foot-high hall with dimensions of 220 feet by 180 feet. Along with this, supporting the roof of the prayer hall, there are 15 intricately designed arches. On each side, there are 5 arches, along with a wall that offers Mihrab on the 4th side. The pillars are exclusive as they are carved out of single slab granite. The 2 octagonal columns have been created from a single granite stone that majorly constitutes the Mosque construction.
The mosque is decked with Belgian crystal chandeliers which adorn the mosque ceilings and adds to the beauty of the exquisitely designed interiors of the mosque. There are tombs of the rulers belonging to the ‘Asaf Jahi’ dynasty and 5 passageways inside the mosque. Ancient and rare artifacts and relics are treasured in a room located in the courtyard. Under the rule of the Mughals, few additions were done such as the domes at the zenith of the mosque. A single strand of hair belonging to Prophet Mohammad himself is a unique heritage item that finds a way here. There is a belief that who sits on the black benches near the pond revisits them at least once again in their lifetime.
The other famous landmarks close to the Mecca Masjid include Charminar, and Chowmahalla Palace, and Salar Jung Museum. The famous Laad Bazaar, a market for bangles, pearls, jewellery, semi-precious stones, silverware and bidri ware is also near to the masjid. This famous masjid is open on all days of the week and the timings are from 4: 00 AM to 9: 30 PM. Mecca Masjid is accessible by the road from various parts of Hyderabad. The nearest metro stations to Mecca Masjid are Charminar and Salar Jung Museum metro stations. The Friday prayer service has a serene atmosphere and is the perfect place to seek the blessing of the Almighty.