Badshahi Mosque – Pakistan’s Second Largest Mosque

Badshahi Mosque (Emperor’s Mosque), locally called as Badshahi Masjid, constructed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1673AD  is the second largest mosque in Pakistan till date and is one of renowned landmarks in Lahore. The mosque is capable of accommodating around 100,000 worshipers (including main hall and courtyard) ans is a major tourist attraction in the city.  A trip to Lahore would be incomplete without visiting and/or praying at this place. Since it’s a mosque therefore there is no ticket or entry fee.

I remember I was a little boy when I visited this place last time despite of it being in my home town. So this time, when I went to my home on vacations from abroad, I preplanned to visit this place. July end to September start is monsoon season in Lahore with lots of rain, clouds, sunshine and humidity. At times its pleasant and at times it’s really scorching. Luckily on our planned day, it rained in morning and there were still some wandering clouds flowing with wind, a reasonably good day for outing.

We reached Badshahi Mosque in afternoon and the place was flooding with people as it was a weekend. People going towards entrance of Badshahi Mosque.

Entrance of Badshahi Mosque.

Elegant Mosaic at Entrance gate of Badshahi Mosque.

The is in front of Badshahi Mosque main gate.

There were two small museums inside Badshahi Mosque beside main entrance gate. These contain some belongings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other sacred objects. Usually men and women are in separate queues to visit these museums. Again, there was no entrance fee.

A complete view of Mosque’s main hall with two large minarets. The mosque’s courtyard is huge.

The ablution area was at some elevation beside main gate. The  outside view from ablution area.

It was time for Maghrib prayer and people started assembling for prayer. I joined them.

Main hall and dome of mosque in evening.

Minarets of Badshahi mosque.

Samadhi of Ranjit Singh (mausoleum of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh) can be seen behind one of large minarets of mosque.

After Maghrib prayer it started drizzling. Since there was nothing much left as we had not only visited the mosque and museums but also offered a prayer there. So we rushed towards our car before the start of heavy rain. We were tired but also delighted to visit Badshahi Masjid after such a long time.