Jama Masjid

5 km from Srinagar, built first by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD and completed by his famous son Zain-Ul-Abidin, it is the largest mosque in the state. It was destroyed thrice by fire and rebuilt. Among the many treasures of the old town of Srinagar is the Jama Masjid, the main mosque of the city, built in 1672. It can accommodate 33,000 worshipers in four cathedral-like prayer rooms. There are 378 large wooden pillars on which the monumental structure of the mosque rests. Built in square, the mosque opens into a central garden with fountains, framed by four monumental brick portals with cardinal points, which are surmounted by towers, small sloping roofs and wooden bell towers of the most beautiful effect. The Jama Mosque of Srinagar is spread over an area of 1,46,304 sq ft (384 ft X 381 ft).