Experience the Eternal Beauty of Moti Masjid in Agra

One of the most popular destinations in India, the home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, Agra is your destination for architectural marvels, magnificent history, and legacy of the Mughal Empire. The city is also famous for housing two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Along with the striking architecture and intriguing history, Agra is also quite famous for its romantic aura, which creates whole new magic in the city. It is one of the most populous cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh and a part of the Golden Triangle Circuit, which also includes Delhi and Jaipur.

Interestingly, Agra is also a part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc, along with Varanasi and Lucknow. The city is also pretty famous for its Petha, a sweet made from pumpkin, rose water, and saffron; artefacts made of marble in Sadar Bazaar or Kinaari Bazar. However, one of the things or rather, an architectural beauty that takes Agra’s beauty a notch higher is the Moti Masjid. An underrated yet one of the most magnificent structures in Agra – Moti Masjid is housed in the premises of the Agra Fort. If you are in Agra and planning to visit this beautiful mosque, here is everything that you need to know.

Moti Masjid – The Beauty of Pearls

The literal translation of Moti Masjid is ‘Pearl Mosque’, and it truly is a pearl white beauty. Housed north of Diwan-in-Am complex inside the Agra Fort, at a distance of 2.5 km from the epic Taj Mahal, Moti Masjid too was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. This magnificent structure is located at a distance of 4.5 km from the Agra Cantonment Railway Station and was constructed during 1648-54 AD. The Moti Masjid was built for the royal members of the court as a place of worship, where they can offer their prayers to the almighty. It is one of the oldest mosques in Agra and has a very interesting story behind its name. As per the information about Moti Masjid, it is said that on a moonlit night, the mosque shines like a pearl, a sight that can bring peace and a sense of contentment in you. Hence, it has been given the name ‘Pearl Mosque’.

Moti Masjid, Agra’s most glorious mosque took four years for its completion and is constructed in a style that flaunts the reign of Shah Jahan’s era. The mosque is built on the ground that inclines from the east to the west to the north of the Diwan-i-Am complex. The masjid has three kiosk domes that are of high architectural value. What makes this masjid in Agra a uniquely constructed architectural beauty is that the three kiosk domes are designed in the Hindu style, which is made of white marble. On the other hand, the exterior of the building is made of red sandstone.

Built by Shah Jahan, Moti Masjid is designed with twenty-one bays, out of which, three bays have curved soffits. In the centre of the mosque’s court, there is a marble tank along with a sundial that is carved on an octagonal marble pillar in one corner. The western wall of the Pearl Mosque is designed with an inlaid mihrab, which has six niches that are magnificently carved to correspond to the arches. Coming to the main prayer chamber of the Moti Masjid, it has lattice screens on either side which are made of marbles to separate the portions of the main hall. These separated portions are used by women to offer their prayers to the almighty. Above the mosque’s fortifications, there are seven ‘Chattris’, which are majestically designed with an octagonal tower and marble-built, dome-shaped structures at each corner.

The masjid in Agra has three main gates; the eastern gate is the grandest entrance that is intricately designed and makes the beauty of the Pearl Mosque even more glamorous. The north and south gates of the mosque are made of ornamental designs, which are furnished with three square ‘Chattris’. The main gateway of this fort, Moti Masjid is in red because of the red sandstone while the marble interiors are in pearl white.

Other Magnificent Structures at Moti Masjid

The location of Moti Masjid is a beautiful one. And, along with this, there are many other beautiful structures inside the premises of Agra Fort. Some of which are: –

Musamman Burj: Apart from Moti Masjid, this is also built by Shah Jahan. Musamman Burj is an octagonal shaped tower, which has an open pavilion. The open pavilion keeps the area cool and it is said that Shah Jahan spent his last days in Musamman Burj, looking out from the open pavilion at his beloved wife’s tomb, the Taj Mahal.

Sheesh Mahal: Sheesh Mahal is one of the most exquisite constructions in the Agra Fort, apart from Moti Masjid. The Sheesh Mahal is a dressing room or a harem, which has the most sophisticated water engineering designs. The interior of the Sheesh Mahal is glamorously decorated with mosaics and tiny mirrors.

Diwan-i-Khaas: To the right of the magnificent Sheesh Mahal is the Diwan-i-Khaas – a hall that was built for private guests and audiences. Along with learning the history of Moti Masjid, you will also learn many things about this enchanting chamber. The Diwan-i-Khaas is intricately designed with marble pillars and studded with floral patterns of semi-precious stones. Adjacent to the Diwan-i-Khaas, you can find the Mammam-e-Shahi or the Shah Burj, which are used summer retreats.

Diwan-i-Am: A hall that was open to the general public and famous for the Peacock Throne, Diwan-i-Am is the room where this magnificent and royal throne was kept, decorated with white marble.

Nagina Masjid: The Nagina Masjid was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan as a private mosque for the women of the royal court to offer their prayers.

Agra is a beautiful city and the Moti Masjid and other wonderful structures inside the premises of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Agra Fort, makes the city’s charm even more glorious and astounding. Make sure to include this beauty in your Agra tour packages.