Mecca Masjid (Makkah Masjid)

The landmark Mecca Masjid mosque is one of the most important attractions in Hyderabad. Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the city’s founder, began construction of the mosque in 1617, but it wasn’t completed until 1694 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Virtually all Hyderabad city tours stop here, and a guide can help you navigate the mosque’s rules and customs, which differ for women and/or non-Muslim people.

• Mecca Masjid is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in history or architecture.

• Remember to dress conservatively and bring a head covering.

• Avoid taking photos of people praying, especially women, without their permission.

• Women and non-Muslims are not allowed inside the prayer hall.

Mecca Masjid is situated in the heart of Hyderabad, just around the corner from the Charminar monument. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Laad Bazaar and a 10-minute walk from Chowmahalla Palace and is easily accessible from various parts of the city by taxi or public bus.

Mecca Masjid is open every day from 4am until 9:30pm. If you visit on a Friday, you’ll see the mosque at its most active, as Friday noontime prayers are particularly well-attended.

Several bricks embedded above the main prayer hall's central arch are made with soil from the holy city of Mecca (hence the mosque's name), and verses of the Quran are inscribed on the arches of the building. What is believed to be a strand of the prophet Muhammad’s hair is kept preserved in a room in the mosque’s courtyard.