The Trawellblogger

Khairatabad area of Hyderabad is often a busy street. The auto-rickshaws brushing past from both sides creates a shiver for the new comers on this land. But for the sake of making it to the Mecca Masjid today, I was ready for all the odds. This was my second visit to Hyderabad and Mecca Masjid of course; little did I know I was about to unfold a secret I was not aware of earlier….

I took a rickshaw from the Khairatabad station to reach Mecca Masjid. I stepped down at the Charminar Gate, another masterpiece I was privileged to see today. The abundance of dwellings around the structure have somehow shadowed the beauty of the minaret as it seems hiding among the ever-increasing traffic.

The fluttered sounds of hordes of pigeons welcomed me inside. Sipping the water from the fountain in front, they enjoyed the food served by the visitors passing by, occasionally creating patterns as they flew across the sky and settled down again.A huge compound in front complemented the symmetry of the mosque.

I had read that the soil from Mecca (Makkah al-Mukarramah) have been used to construct the mosque and hence it has the name Mecca Masjid.

And today, I was here once again to witness in person the majestic artistry of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. As I walked the stairs at the entrance, the tombs of the Asaf Jahi Rulers to the left lay in silence, and the marble graves rested in peace in the magnificent canopied building. The four small golden domes on top of the building shined in sun, as if they still beheld the glory of the lost dynasty. The inscriptions of the Holy Quran on the walls still stood the test of time.

In today’s generation where the patience is slim and the temperaments short, it is indeed a lesson for the new generation to understand how the patience of 77 long years can manifest a masterpiece, that today stands as a tribute to the human kind.

The fountain in the courtyard reflected back the images of the mosque, as it quenched the thirst of the pigeons in the warm weather. Two benches stood on the other side of the fountain. It was my second trip to the mosque; I didn’t knew this until I spoke to a local here that anyone who sits on these benches will come to visit once again.

So, this is true!!! I came here again!! And I never knew why?

I could  recollect to have sit here the last time I visited, although I must confess I never had the eyes of the traveler that time.

I came across the familiar entrance to the mosque, with huge Belgian chandeliers hanging in front, almost making its way to the floor. I guess they complete the identity of the mosque, as they spread their glitter inside the large prayer hall. Some people  sat with their eyes closed engrossed in prayers.  I decided to sit in a corner, to observe the people as they prayed. The hall was surprisingly cool inside, something to do with the architecture of the old times. I was feeling…….. good!!!!

It was peaceful inside. I think that it came out of my subconscious, that my eyes closed for a moment. Sometimes, what you cannot see with your eyes open can be felt with your eyes closed. For several moments, that I sat inside with my eyes closed, I could count my heartbeats, as they could be heard in the tranquil inside. Time just flew by it seemed, and when I opened my eyes, I felt I came back from a long long journey..

It is said that the pigeons are the ‘symbol of peace‘. If a place is not peaceful, they do not stay there, and would fly away in search of another. The coo of the pigeons continued as I walked out of the prayer hall, and came back to the fountains. It was time to hit for the benches again, as I wanted to come back once more, and though I am not that superstitious, I wanted to be one, for a change, if that makes a reason for me to come back here once again.