Mosques In India

Chaukhamba Mosque

Chaukhamba mosque is a 14th century mosque situated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The mosque is in ruin state but used by Muslims as pilgrimage. Chau means four and khamba means pillar. The masjid has four low pillars towards the north east it is named as Chaukhamba mosque.

History

Chaukhamba mosque is built in 14th century and is still used as the holy place by Muslims who offer prayers. While going toward Bahraich Salar Masud separated some of his army to toward Varanasi. He was defeated in the northern outskirts after the boundary wall at the site where the mosque now stands. The masjid is near kasi railway station. The mosque was unearthed during the construction of this railway station.  Muslims with their families got settled down there in that area. After Aidbak demolishes nearly thousand Hindu temples during his reign this locality is renamed as salarpur. During the period of Feroz shah Tughlak the mosques including Chaukhamba and Gola were reconstructed with the materials obtained after demolition of Hindu temples.

Varanasi also called as Benares, Banaras is a city which is on the bank of Ganges and is the holiest and one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus and Jains. Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in India. Many of the temples are demolished by Mohammad Ghauri in 12th century and those now present are from 18th century. Gautama Buddha has his first sermon in sarnath which is located near Varanasi.

Varanasi is an important center for industry such as silk fabrics, perfumes and also sculptures. In 16th century Varanasi experienced revival under the rule of Akbar, the mughal emperor. Akbar built two temples in the city one for lord Shiva and other for lord Vishnu. The Annapurna mandir which is about 200 meters from the Akbari Bridge is also completed in his period.

Significance

As Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India it has its own significance. The Chaukhamba mosque is in ruins but is still visited by many Muslims to offer their prayers. Thus Chaukhamba masjid is famous for its place and also the significant structure it has. Muslims have been residing here since the period of Delhi sultane and all these worship in the mosques present in Varanasi. There are gyanvapi mosque, Alamgiri mosque, Ganj-e-Shaheedan mosque and Chaukhamba mosque present here.

Climate

Varanasi has humid sub tropical climate and has large variation in temperature from summer and winter. In Varanasi summer will be long starting from April to October and during this the place will be very hot. Temperature during summer will vary between 22 to 45 degree centigrade. Winters here will be normal with not much cold having warm days and cold days. Winter will from December to February and temperature will be below 5 degree. Fog is common during winter and dry winds blow during summer.

How to Reach There

Varanasi is well connected by road, rail and also air. One of the major facts that increased the popularity of the city is its transportation hub between the cities. The airport here is called as Lal Bahador Shastri International Airport, which is about 26 km from the city. The railway station called as Varanasi cant station is the largest station present in Varanasi with 100 trains passing into it every day.

Varanasi is located along NH 2 which connects Varanasi to Calcutta, Agra, Kanpur and Delhi. NH which is the largest national highway in India connects Varanasi to Hyderabad, kanyakumari, pune and Bangalore. There is public transport available in the city for easy access. Auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available for the public. Apart from these taxis and busses are also available.

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