Nakhoda Mosque rises at the junction of Rabindra Sarani and Zakaria Street in central Kolkata, West Bengal, India, and is the largest mosque in the city. It was built between 1926 and 1942 by the Kutchi Memon community, led by Abdul Rahim Osman, a merchant from Kutch in Gujarat, and it was constructed on the site of an earlier mosque. The design was modelled on the Tomb of Akbar at Sikandra near Agra, and the mosque was built in red sandstone brought from Rajasthan. Its architecture combines Mughal and Indo-Saracenic elements, with a large gateway, a central dome, and 25 minarets, including two principal minarets of about 46 metres, and smaller ones along the walls. The prayer hall is capable of holding about 10,000 worshippers, and the interior has green and white marble, carved arches and tall pillars. The mosque stands on the north side of the road and is surrounded by Zakaria Street and the neighbouring Muslim quarter, known for Mughlai restaurants and attar, books and cap shops. It is an active place of worship with five daily prayers and large congregations on Fridays and at Eid, when the surrounding roads are closed to traffic. Visitors may enter outside prayer times, and the building is maintained by the Kutchi Memon trust. Footwear must be removed, and visitors are expected to dress modestly, with shoulders and legs covered. The mosque is well known to residents as the starting point of Ramzan food streets in the nearby lanes.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime outside prayer times; men may enter |
| Address | Rabindra Sarani, Zakaria Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
Why it matters
Nakhoda Mosque, completed in 1926, is the largest mosque in Kolkata and a centre of the city's Kutchi Memon Muslim community. It was built on the site of an earlier mosque from the 1800s and is a landmark of Zakaria Street.
Location
Rabindra Sarani, Zakaria Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
22.5776, 88.3561 View on map
Highlights
- Red sandstone mosque modelled on Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra
- Twenty-five minarets, with two principal minarets around 46 metres
- Prayer hall for about 10,000 worshippers
- Zakaria Street food lanes outside, especially during Ramzan
Tips for visiting
- Visit outside prayer times, and avoid Friday midday congregations
- Dress modestly, remove shoes and cover shoulders and legs
- Ask politely before photographing worshippers
- Try the food lanes of Zakaria Street in the evening, especially during Ramzan
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims enter Nakhoda Mosque?
Visitors are generally allowed outside prayer times if dressed modestly. Women should check local rules at the gate.
When was the mosque built?
Construction started in 1926 and was completed in the 1940s.
How big is it?
The mosque has 25 minarets and a prayer hall holding about 10,000 people.