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Location: Near Razia Sultan's tomb on the Turkman Bazaar Road
Famous as: Kali Masjid and one of the oldest mosques of the Old Delhi
Open: On all days
Admission: Free and open to all
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this century old mosque or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Preferred Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Photography charges: nil
Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Chawri Bazaar
Functional Metro Station: Chawri Bazaar
Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: Approx 20 minutes
(Data are as of July 2005)
Kalan Masjid, known locally as Kali Masjid is one of the seven mosques that were built by prime minister of Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88), Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah. Located near Razia Sultan's tomb on the Turkman Bazaar Road, the mosque can also be reached by taking the Sita Ram Bazaar Road. An important mosque of Feroz Shah's city, Ferozabad, it was built in 1387 much before the city of Shahjahanabad was completed. The mosque was comparatively constructed on a large scale with 'three-aisle deep prayer chamber, pierced by five openings' and thus was named Kalan, which means big in the Arabic language.
Few characteristics like low domes, sloping minarets and chhajjas of the mosque reflect the typical Tughlaq style of architecture. The courtyard of the mosque is too surrounded by domed cloisters. The entrance of the mosque is from the eastern side and has a high flight of steps that takes directly into the courtyard. Every fourth step is a bit wider than the other steps so that devotees especially women can rest and then move forward. The mosque soon got a new name, Kali meaning black colored by the local population, as initially the outer walls of the mosque were black in color.
Annual Event/Special Event
The mosque is at its best during Muslim festivals of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zoha when at a time thousands of devotees offer their prayers in the courtyard. There is festival and carnival like atmosphere in the area
Nearby Tourist Attractions Turkman Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Dargah of Hazrat Turkman Bayabani, Razia Sultan's tomb, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Rajghat
Nearby Places to Eat Karim Hotel, Ghantewala sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali gali, Natraj hotel, Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj's Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Worker's canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside food stalls are there for refreshment.
Nearby Shopping Venues Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs, silver and glass bead jewellery) Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort (traditional and contemporary jewellery and handicrafts)
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