Nakhodha Masjid, Kolkata - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 5 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Nakodha Masjid is a mosque located at Bara Bazar in Kolkata. It is the principal mosque of Kolkata and among the architectural marvels to visit as part of Kolkata Tour Packages.

The mosque was built in 1926 by Abdar Rahim Osman, a leader of the Kutchi Memon Jama'at. He was a shipping prince; hence the mosque was named Nakhoda meaning Mariner. Owing to its sheer size and magnificence, the mosque has become one of the prime tourist attractions of Kolkata. A huge amount of Rs. 15 Lakhs was invested to accomplish the construction of this huge mosque. Presently, the mosque is administered by a board of trustees.

Represents Indo-Saracenic architectural style, the mosque was built as an imitation of the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar at Sikandra, Agra. The gateway to the Masjid resembles the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri. For the construction of the mosque, original and superior quality granite stone was brought from Tolepur. This magnificent mosque contains a spacious prayer hall, a dome and two minarets which are 151 feet high. There are an additional 25 smaller minarets which range from 100 feet to 117 feet high. The spacious prayer hall of the mosque can accommodate around 10,000 devotees at a time. The interior of the mosque also boasts excellent ornamentation and creativity.

There is a long array of shops outside the mosque selling clothes, shoes, and attar, which is a special type of perfume. An exhibition takes place inside the mosque which displays extraordinary artistic extravaganza & ornamentation. The entire street including the mosque is decorated with lights during Islamic festivals.

Timings: 6 AM - 8 PM