Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad (must see)

Mecca Masjid is one of the largest and most important historic mosques in the Deccan. Its construction began in 1617 under Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah and was completed decades later under Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Its name comes from bricks said to contain soil from Mecca, while local tradition says the Sultan laid the foundation stone himself after proving his devotion to midnight prayer.

The mosque is built on a grand scale, with a wide courtyard, high arched façade, and a vast prayer hall. Its five front arches and massive granite pillars are often linked with stories of remarkable stone engineering. Local accounts say huge granite blocks were shaped and dragged by cattle teams, then fitted with great precision.

The courtyard adds much to the visitor experience. Near the entrance pond are old stone slab benches connected with a popular legend: anyone who sits on them will one day return to the city. The courtyard also contains a marble canopy with the tombs of several Asaf Jahi rulers. However, the first Nizam, Asaf Jah I, and the last ruling Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, are buried elsewhere, which makes the tomb arrangement historically interesting.

Inside the complex, the mosque remains an active place of worship, especially during Friday prayers and major Islamic festivals. It is also associated with a collection of Islamic relics kept in a secure area, including a strand of hair traditionally believed to belong to Prophet Muhammad. Visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes before entering prayer areas, and avoid disturbing worshippers. The mosque was included in 2014 on India’s UNESCO World Heritage tentative listing for the Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate.