The Badshahi Mosque was built using the red sandstone of Jaipur by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1673. He was of the same dynasty of Mughal Emperors who also reigned in Delhi, so his mosque has the same pearly onion domes and arched doorways as the Taj Mahal.

One of the world's largest mosques and second largest in Pakistan, this is my favourite building in Pakistan: reverent, peaceful and structurally awe inspiring. Built around a vast, open, central courtyard, the interior is decorated, with sparing grace, with mosaics, stucco and fresco reliefs. It has marble floors, huge tiles and sky high, decorated roofs. Just being in this place makes me feel completely at peace.

In the heart of the city on the edge of the old city, Badshahi Mosque has large gardens on one side adding to the atmosphere of calm inside (unfortunately the gardens themselves are anything but calm! As this is by the old city, traffic is pretty awful so outside the mosque, it’s quite a din!). At night it is beautifully lit. One of the best places to experience and savour this view is from the balcony of the famous restaurant, Cocoos Den.

Normal rules about taking your shoes off and covering your head and behaving appropriately apply but apart from that visitors to the mosque are welcomed.

Travel Pak images of Lahore.

Written by  Sohail Azhar.

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