Taj Mahal Mosque

On the west of the Taj Mahal lies the red sandstone Mosque, where Muslims collect every Friday to offer their prayers to Allah. As per the Islamic rules, the Mosque faces towards Mecca and is complimented by another red sandstone building on the right side of the Taj that was perhaps built to maintain the symmetry and harmony of the monument. There is a small stone enclosed space, a greenery shaded structure that measures 19 ft by 6.5 ft and marks the place, which had served as a temporary grave where the remains of Mumtaz Mahal were kept for some when they were first brought to Agra until they finally founded a place to rest for eternity in the internment of the beautiful mausoleum that was exclusively built for them. This enclosure is located along the western boundary wall, which houses the well of the Mosque.

The exteriors of the Mosque have Pietra Dura work twirling across its spandrels. On the red sandstone platform in front of the Mosque, there is a highly polished mirror-finish small marble piece, which has been ingeniously fitted to reflect the mausoleum. The flooring has been done in velvet red, sparkling and exceedingly fine material that provides a base for the 539 black marble prayer carpets laid out neatly. Calligraphy, the name of Allah, inscriptions of passages from holy scriptures have been used profusely all over the mosque while there is a strange hypnotic design adorning the ceiling. Four octagonal towers and three stylish domes embellish its roof. There are two towers to the north and south of the Mosque that have been placed along and upon the enclosure wall.