Shahi Jamia Masjid

A woman clad in a colourful sari sits on the roadside. Spread in front her are carefully arranged bunches of freshly-harvested coriander, mint, and fenugreek leaves. Next to her is a young man selling lemons. The main market of Adoni bustles with sounds and activities. I carefully navigate the narrow alleys, briefly stopping to let a cart pulled by two massive buffaloes pass by.

In the midst of this busy market stands Adoni’s famous and historical Shahi Jamia mosque. Older men with long beards and henna-dyed hair sit behind the masjid’s gate and appear to be having a jovial conversation. Their faces light up when they see our little group looking at them.

Shahi Jamia masjid is 357 years old.

Siddi Masood Khan, one of the most important governors of Adoni, was a wealthy merchant from Abyssinia. He purchased the land for ₹77,000 (USD 1000) in 1662 and then hired Iranian architects to design and build this masjid.

Unfortunately, not much has been written about this masjid online.

Everyone is welcome!

Upon asking permission, we learn from the friendly gentlemen at the gate that everyone is welcome inside. “Feel free to walk into the garden and have a picnic!”

Their friendly demeanour helps put visitors at ease. This is important considering how travellers and tourists are often hesitant about rules and restrictions when visiting religious buildings.

Tips for non-Muslim visitors.

Everyone is welcome. However, asking permission before entering will put you at ease. Prayer congregations take place five times a day. It’s best to avoid these times so as not to disturb the worshippers.

Dress modestly. Leave footwear at the inner gate.

Photography is permitted.

Women aren’t allowed inside the main mosque and that’s okay. We can see the building up-close and, because there aren’t any doors, we can even look inside.

There are NO parking spaces nearby. The mosque is in the middle of a busy market. However, if you came riding a bike or motorcycle, you may find a spot to park.

This masjid is a must-see for those visiting Adoni.

A trip to this masjid in Adoni won’t take much of your time. But it is worth visiting considering its history and architecture.

Feel transported back in time as you step barefoot in the courtyard made of smooth stones. Once inside, the cacophony of the marketplace outside is easily forgotten.

The arcaded facade crowned by a bulbous dome appears to be a characteristic design in old masjids here in India. Notice that the minarets seem to have been kept in their original state, while the rest of the structure has been repainted.

Verses from the Quran in Arabic had been written on the walls, within the dome, and at various places within the masjid.

It’s peaceful here. I take one last look before leaving. The caretaker gets up to feed the resident pigeons. A moment later something disturbs them and they all take flight at the same time, the quick flapping of their wings reverberating throughout the courtyard.

Other mosques I’ve written about on this blog:

Huaisheng Mosque – One of the Oldest Masjid in China

Sheikh Zayed Mosque – World’s 8th largest mosque, located in Abu Dhabi

Masjid al Haram – A post written during one of my Umrah.