New Delhi Sightseeing - Part 2 - Jama Masjid

Trying the Metro

After getting a bit tired from negotiating with auto rickshaw drivers, I decided to switch to using the metro for sightseeing since New Delhi has a well-developed metro system in most major areas.

Luckily, from the Shangri-La Hotel where I took a break, the Janpath metro station was within walking distance.

A pretty old-looking ticket machine

It looked quite dated, but I noticed signs for credit and debit cards on the right. This time, I bought my ticket with cash.

I received a coin-shaped token like this.

Wow! Clean. The station itself didn’t seem particularly new, but it was very well-maintained—unlike the streets, there was hardly any trash, and it looked really clean.

Heading to Jama Masjid

I got off at Jama Masjid station and walked from there.

The street from the station to Jama Masjid was packed with people and lined with shops, almost like a market street. To my surprise, even though the road was crammed with pedestrians, motorcycles and auto rickshaws were still squeezing through.

It reminded me of Vietnam—“Are they seriously going through here?” kind of moments, with bikes and cars moving through tight, crowded streets. Seeing scenes like this really makes me feel like I’ve come abroad. It’s a good reminder that what we consider “normal” or “common sense” in our own country is just one perspective, and the rest of the world plays by different rules. It made me reflect on a lot of things.

What is Jama Masjid?

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India, known for its magnificent Mughal architecture. It’s located in the heart of Old Delhi, and if you climb the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. It’s a popular destination that welcomes visitors of all faiths.

Finally, it came into view.

The entrance is huge!

Inside, you're struck by its sheer size and the weight of its history.

By the way, from this area onward, you’re required to go barefoot. Even in April, the ground was so hot that it was almost unbearable. I can’t imagine how it must be in the summer—going barefoot might be extremely tough.

When people think of India, they often associate it with Hinduism, so I was surprised to find such a grand and historic mosque right in the center of New Delhi. Whether viewing it from the outside or from within, it was truly a breathtaking sight.

I highly recommend visiting this spot when sightseeing in New Delhi.