Badshahi Mosque Guide
Badshahi Mosque: A Majestic Symbol of Mughal Grandeur Guide
The Badshahi Mosque, also known as the Emperor's Mosque, is one of the largest and most iconic mosques in Pakistan and the world. Located in Lahore, it stands as a magnificent example of Mughal architecture and a testament to the empire's power and artistic achievements. Its imposing structure, intricate details, and vast courtyard make it a truly awe-inspiring sight. A visit to the Badshahi Mosque is a must for anyone interested in history, architecture, and Islamic culture. The mosque was commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673. It was built to commemorate Aurangzeb's military campaigns in South India. The mosque's design is heavily influenced by Persian and Central Asian architectural styles, reflecting the Mughal empire's cultural heritage. For many years, it remained the largest mosque in the world. During the Sikh rule, the mosque was briefly used as a stable by Ranjit Singh's army, but it was later restored to its original purpose. Tourists can explore the mosque's vast courtyard, admire the intricate carvings and calligraphy on the walls, and climb the minarets for panoramic views of Lahore. The mosque's interior is equally impressive, with its soaring arches, ornate ceilings, and beautiful marble floors. Visitors should dress modestly when visiting the mosque, covering their heads and shoulders. The mosque is particularly beautiful during prayer times when the call to prayer echoes through the courtyard. Nearby, you can find traditional Lahori cuisine such as Haleem, a slow-cooked stew of meat, wheat, and lentils, and various kebab shops offering delicious grilled meats.
Transportation
The Badshahi Mosque is located within the Walled City of Lahore and is accessible by various means of transportation. * **Bus:** Several bus routes pass near the Walled City. Look for routes that stop at Akbari Gate or near the Lahore Fort. From there, it's a short walk or rickshaw ride to the Badshahi Mosque. Some possible routes include: 1, 3, 5, 10, 13, 20, 27, 33, 40, 44, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300. * **Taxi/Rickshaw/Ride-hailing:** Taxis, auto-rickshaws, and ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem are readily available throughout Lahore and offer a convenient way to reach the Badshahi Mosque.