Nakhoda Mosque

Kolkata (Calcutta)


Located amid the din and chaos of Rabindra Sarani, the 1926 red-sandstone Nakhoda Mosque rises impressively above the bustling shopfronts of its neighbouring commercial establishments. Its roof, which is adorned with emerald-green domes and minarets, was loosely modelled on Akbar’s Mausoleum at Sikandra, while the main entrance gate was inspired by the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri. The mosque is Kolkata's largest, and is at the centre of festive action every evening during the holy month of Ramadan.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kolkata (Calcutta) attractions

1. Nam Soon

0.16 MILES

This is Kolkata's oldest Chinese temple, an 1820s relic from the colonial period when thousands of Chinese migrants flocked to Kolkata to work on the…

2. Holy Rosary Cathedral

0.24 MILES

Commonly called the Portuguese Church, this imposing 1797 cathedral was founded by Portuguese merchants after they settled in Kolkata. The graceful ash…

3. Neveh Shalome Synagogue

0.25 MILES

This 1825 structure is one of Kolkata's smaller synagogues, and is almost hidden behind a plethora of market stalls selling trinkets and bindis. To enter,…

4. Pollock St Post Office

0.26 MILES

Once a grand Jewish school building, this post office offers some curious photo ops, given its location in the heart of a busy market area.

5. BethEl Synagogue

0.28 MILES

Literally meaning 'House of God', this atmospheric synagogue's front facade looks a little like a 1930s cinema. Within the building (dating back to 1856),…

6. Maghen David Synagogue

0.28 MILES

The spectacular Maghen David Synagogue looks very much like a large sturdy church with its red-and-yellow brickwork, spired tower and trefoiled windows…

7. Hind Perfumerie

0.28 MILES

This perfume-maker's shop conjures up images of the Raj era. It's an atmospheric place, although the perfumes can be of the strong concentrated variety…