- Country: India
- State: Telangana
- Ideal Trip Duration: 3 Days
- Nearest City: Hyderabad
- Best Time to Visit: Oct – Feb
- Peak Season: Dec – Jan
It is always an exceptional feeling when you enter a pilgrimage center. You get that fresh and pure aroma and divinity from the atmosphere around you as you walk into the place.
When you plan to visit Hyderabad in India, never leave without visiting the historic Makkah Masjid. You can easily reach this place as this mosque is near Charminar.
This is one of the popular visitor destinations among not just devotees but everybody. In Hyderabad, Makkah Majid, also known as Mecca Masjid, is one of the oldest and largest mosques.
In 1614, the construction of Makka Masjid was commenced by Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah, the fifth Qutb Shahi Sultan of Golconda, now known as Hyderabad, and laid the foundation of the mosque.
The arch embellishments on the main sanctum use substances from Mecca, the Holy Land. Hence, it got its name Makkah Masjid.
Granite has been used to build, and you can see the shine and finesse of the exquisite works on it. The masjid’s length is 225 feet, with a width of 180 feet and 75 feet in height.
There are 15 arches on which the roof rests, and the hall dimension is 67 x 54 x 23 meters. You can also find an arched gallery where all Nizam’s tombs from 1803 can be seen.
Almost 8000 masons constructed the Makkah Masjid, who worked round the clock. You can see three arched facades carved with a single piece of granite.
They had to quarry for 5 years to get it. It took about 77 years to complete the construction of this mosque. In 1687 the construction was completed by Aurangzeb.
This masjid can accommodate 10,000 people at any prayer time.
A room in the courtyard of Makkah Masjid has been kept with relics and artifacts from ancient times. The courtyard entrance is just striking to everyone’s eyes as they are made with a rectangular arch and canopied buildings.
You can also discover that the doors and arches have been engraved with verses from the Quran. One of the key fascinations here is the cornices with floral motifs carved over the complete masjid.
Moreover, to give extra beauty to the mosque, Belgian crystal chandeliers have been hung on the ceilings. Apart from all that, the atmosphere here gives you a calm and spiritual feeling.
Anybody can visit the Makkah Masjid, which opens from 04:00 am to 09:30 pm.
Visitors to Mecca Masjid can treat themselves to various food items from Irani Chai, Pani puri, Lassi, and fruit juices to delicious non-vegetarian fare served in the numerous food joints and hotels close to the Charminar region.
Considering accommodation near the Makkah Masjid is wise; you can find hotels and resorts 12 km from the masjid.
Mecca / Makkah Masjid Timings :
| Day | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Friday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 4:00 am – 9:30 pm |
How to Reach Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad
By Train: The nearby railway station to Makkah Masjid is the Deccan Railway Station, also recognized by Nampally Railway Station. It is just about 4km from the railway station to Charminar Road.
By Bus: The bus stop near Makkah Masjid can be seen on Charminar Road in Panch Mohalla. You can easily find Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation busses connecting to Makkah Masjid stop and Hyderabad city.
By Air: The nearby airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad. Many domestic and international flights operate here. The Makkah Masjid is 20km away from the airport.
Best Places to Visit / Other Tourist Attractions
01. Charminar
The most noticeable landmark of Hyderabad, Charminar, is also called the ‘Mosque of the four minarets.’ It has also been called ‘Arc de Triomphe of the East’.
With a walkable distance of 130m, you can reach Charminar. This monument is one of the most popular ones in India. Char in the Hindi language means four; as the name says, it has four carved pillars on four sides.
You can see the hustle-bustle around the Charminar as there are markets nearby. The architectural beauty and the historical and religious importance are captivating to everyone’s eyes.
The Archeological Survey of India maintains it well, and Charminar depicts the city’s background, cultural abundance, and glory.
02. Laad Bazar
Located close to Charminar is the Laad Bazar, one of the most popular tourist spots for shopping. This Bazar is stretched on four roads from Charminar for about 1 kilometer.
When people hear about Charminar and the markets, the first thing that comes to mind is bangles. The Laad Bazar is where you can find a variety of bangles with intricate designs and colors.
The Bazar is named Laad because it means lacquer, used for making bangles. When you stop over at this market, you will find not just bangles but different embroidery works and zari, traditional clothing, semi-precious stones, and more.
You can bargain for the things you plan to purchase, as you will surely get a good discount. Several restaurants are nearby, where you can try some realistic cuisines of Hyderabad.
03. Golconda Fort
To see some enchanting architecture, visit the Golconda Fort, just 11km from the city. It is about 12kms from the Makkah Masjid.
If you plan to visit the fort, you should know the timings when they are open. The fort is open from 9:00 in the morning till 5:30 the evening.
Another charm is the light and sound display, which starts in the evening. The fee to enter the fort – Rs.15 per Indian, Rs. 200 per person for Foreign Tourists, Rs. 25 for a Still Camera.
The entry fee for sound and light shows differs. They charge Rs.140 per Adult in Executive Class, Rs.110 per Child in Executive Class, Rs.80 per Adult in Normal Class, and Rs.60 per Child in the Normal Class.
The first sound and light show every day will be in English.
2nd Show in Telugu on Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 2nd Show in Hindi on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.
Show Timings (Nov to Feb): 1st Show 6:30 pm 2nd Show 7.45 pm
Show Timings (Mar to Oct): 1st Show 7:00 pm 2nd Show 8.15 pm.
Remember that the Sound & Light Show Ticket counter at Golconda Fort is open from 5:30 PM.
04. Ramoji Film City
In Hyderabad, the Ramoji Film City, one of the most prominent sightseeing and one of the biggest and most stylish film studios globally, is famous among tourists.
This film city has also been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Situated just 30 km from the city, about 35 km from Makkah, Masjid was established in 1996.
It was built by one of the Telugu Film Producers named Ramoji Rao. The film city is spread over 2500 acres, and the city can hold 50 movie units at a time.
The film city is open from 0900 am till 0530 pm. They also offer different tour packages for the tourist to choose from.
05. Nehru Zoological Park
Located at 16km from Hyderabad and 4.7km from the Makkah Masjid, it was opened to the public in 1963.
This park is close to the 200-year-old historical Mir Alam Tank, the first global multi-arch masonry dam.
The Zoo has been named after the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the zoo.
The zoo is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm except for Mondays as it is a holidays.
06. Chowmahalla Palace
To experience the grandeur of rulers, and the past enigmatic way of living, visit the Chowmahalla Palace.
This beautiful fortress is located at a distance of just 1.5 km from the Makkah Masjid and 5.3km from Hyderabad City.
The palace was built in the 18th century and is 200 years old. It is said that Chowmahhalla Palace brings to mind the Shaha Palace of Tehran in Iran.
07. Salar Jung Museum
The Salar Jung Museum is located in a perfect place, as it is very close to other famous tourist spots of Hyderabad.
It is just 3.5 km from Hyderabad city and Makkah Masjid.
The museum’s specialty includes digitalization and the latest techniques in preserving history. Their collection is exquisite, and you should never miss visiting this spot. Ranging from arts to science and literature, you can see a huge collection that depicts the past culture and lifestyle.
08. Birla Mandir
Devoted to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala Tirupati Temple, Birla Mandir is built with enormous white marble.
It was brought from Rajasthan, and the temple was built on the top of a hill of 280 feet. This temple is also acknowledged by the name Naubat Pahad Birla Temple.
You can find Birla Mandir in various other states, and it is built by the industrialist group called Birla.
Additional Info
- STD Code: 040
- Languages Spoken: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, English
- Major Festivals: Diwali, Muharram, The Deccan Festival, Lumbini Festival
- Nearest Tourist Information Center:
- Nearest Hospital: Govt. Nizamia General Hospital
- Nearest Police Station: Police Station Charminar
Also, Read Places to visit in Rajasthan – The abode of Kings.