Nakhoda Masjid: Kolkata's Grand Mosque

Nakhoda Masjid, meaning 'Mariner's Mosque,' is a prominent Sunni mosque and the largest in Kolkata, West Bengal, standing as a testament to the city's diverse cultural fabric. Located in the bustling Chitpur area, near the intersection of Zakaria Street and Rabindra Sarani, it's a significant landmark in central Kolkata. The mosque's construction was initiated in 1926 and completed in 1942, largely funded by Abdur Rahim Osman, a wealthy Kutchi Memon merchant and shipping prince, with contributions from the Cutchi Memon Jamat, a Sunni Muslim community from Kutch. The total cost of construction was approximately 1.5 million Indian rupees. The design was executed by Mackintosh Burn & Co, a British engineering firm. The architectural style is a blend of Islamic and Indo-Saracenic influences, drawing inspiration from the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri for its gateway and Akbar's tomb at Sikandra, Agra. The mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers in its prayer hall, making it the largest mosque in West Bengal and eastern India. It features three large domes and two 46-meter-high minarets, along with 25 smaller minarets ranging from 30 to 36 meters. The interior showcases exquisite ornamentation and artistic designs, with granite stones sourced from Tolepur used in its construction. Visitors are welcome from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, with no entry fee, though donations are appreciated. Modest attire is required, and shoes must be removed before entering the prayer hall.