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Agra's Moti Masjid gets facelift
by Brajesh Kumar Singh
Agra:
Historic Moti Masjid within the precincts of the Red
Fort of Agra is getting facelift by Archeological Survey
of India (ASI) in a bid to conserve its magnificent a
white marble look. The mosque was built in white marble
by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan within the fort complex for
his family members and court chiefs in sixteenth century.
The ASI took up the renovation work of the mosque, which
had been in shambles due to vagaries of time. This beautiful
specimen of the Mughal architecture with typical bulbous
domes resembling the dome of the famous Taj Mahal is expected
to be opened soon for the tourists after renovation. "A
lot of precaution was necessary while undertaking the
conservation work of the Moti Masjid which is entirely
built of marble. The conservation work includes many finer
aspects like inlay work. A lot of work has been completed.
We expect it to be completed soon," said D.N.Dimari, Superintendent
of ASI, Agra division. The manger of the city's Shahi
Jama mosque expressed happiness over the renovation work
and said that once the work is complete it should be opened
for prayers as has been done in case of the mosque in
the Taj Mahal complex. "We want that prayers should be
held in Moti Masjid. It has to be open to the tourists.
If it is kept closed, then it will be more in shambles,"
said Aslam Qureshi, manager of Shahi Jama mosque. The
masons and the artisans at work are toiling hard to put
it in its pristine shape. The mosque with velvet like
appearance got the popular name of Moti Masjid as it shined
like a pearl. The structure is built taking a good care
of its symmetry. The three marble domes of the mosque
resting over the red sandstone walls give a beautiful
look to the structure. According to many art historians,
during the time of Shah Jahan, the Mughal architecture
reach its zenith with the monument of love, namely Taj
Mahal, providing a befitting testimony.
-Dec
14, 2008
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