Jama Masjid in Old Delhi is probably India’s best known mosque. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1656, the mosque attracts thousands of people, worshippers and tourists alike, everyday. In fact, Wikipedia tells me that the mosque’s courtyard can hold upto 25000 worshippers!
So, I visited the mosque this year one October evening, along with my sister, brother-in-law and cousin. When we were about to enter the premises, one of the guards at the entrance stopped me and informed that I needed to dish out Rs.300 (about $5) if I wanted to carry my camera gear inside. Now, according to my mom, one of my biggest flaws is my tendency to spend too much money, which she terms as wasteful expenditure! But, somehow the prospect of spending Rs.300 just for taking some photographs seemed to me as “wasteful expenditure”, and I dithered for a moment. Thankfully, my Brother-in-law put things in perspective by saying, “But, then you do want to take proper photographs of the mosque. So, why bother about the money?!” That settled it and I paid up and we entered the mosque. In hindsight, I wonder, why I ever hesitated. I have never been more satisfied after spending Rs.300!
And I was luckier than 3 other youngsters, who were made to cough up Rs. 300 for every smart phone they were carrying! It seemed like daylight robbery to me. More so, because I noticed that most of the tourists (including us) were carrying smart phones with camera and we were not asked to pay any money for those!
Anyway, it is always a little unnerving to photograph a place, which has already been photographed millions of timed! The challenge is to show something new, so that the viewer does not get bored. So, here is my contribution to the huge stock of photos, already existing, of the Jama Masjid.
Do let me know if you liked them, and whether the Rs. 300 was worth spending! 🙂
Know-All's Box 
The photo are really excellent!
Thanks a lot, Olivia!! 🙂
Yes … yes … yes
haha…thank you…thank you…thank you!! 😀
Absolutely… it’s worth every paisa 🙂 Incredible images…
If I get a few good images during my travels, I know how satisfied I used to get.
The worst part is, how disappointed I’ll be, if I come back from a trip without any quality image.
Thank you Sreejith! i can totally empathise with your point of view!
Spend another multiple of Rs 300 for some macro food shots for certain heritage restaurants near Jama Masjid?
Haha…first let the prices of macro lenses reduce to multiple of 1 of 300…then I guess, I will contemplate that! 😀
I have been here and loved it. So stunningly beautiful!
Hey Ms. A! Yes indeed…it is stunningly beautiful!
I don’t like the religion, but Jama Masjid is a beautiful piece of architecture.
You can get a lot of great meals for 300 rupees in India, but I would definitely have paid to enter with a camera.
Hey CG!! Glad that someone as awesome a photographer as you has liked the photographs! And yes, you can get lot of good street food for Rs.300 still in India! Thank you for dropping by! 🙂
Rs. 300 well spent. Glad you took your Bro-in-law’s advise. It’s totally worth it. Am embarrassed to say that I’ve been to Jama Masjid area (back in the late 90’s), but not inside. Well, next time I get to visit Delhi, I’ll make sure to do that. Thanks!!
Thank you Nuwan!! Sorry for the extremely delayed response…I am glad that you enjoyed the post…do go inside the masjid next time…you won’t regret it! 🙂
Well I think it was worth it. The pictures are very cool.
Hello Lady Ed!! Remember moi?? 😛
Micheal is that you?
Hahahahaha!! Well…I deserved that!! :3
Oh, definitely worth it! Great photos. The last silhouette against the blue sky–gorgeous!
Thank you! Thank you! 😀 But, to tell you the truth…the blue colour is added in Lightroom…I am trying to learn post-processing, so… 🙂
Even better. An artistic endeavor well worth the effort. Well done! 🙂