Jama Masjid is the most frequented mosque by the Sunni Muslims of Leh and of neighbouring villages. This mosque is adorned with beautifully carved stones and is the biggest one in the whole of Ladakh. It is a must see for tourists who visit Leh. The mosque was built in accordance with Ladakhi style of architecture. Only men are allowed inside the mosque. The mosque can accommodate around 500 worshippers at a time. It also houses Shah-I-Hamdan memorial, which is dedicated to Sufi saint Mir Sayed Ali Hamdani. He is believed to have offered Namaz or prayers inside the mosque.

Leh district is known for its rich cultural diversity. Popularly known as land of monks and monasteries, Leh attracts has people from all walks of life, belonging to different communities and yet, living in perfect peace and harmony. Situated in the heart of the city is Jama Masjid, a mosque of significant tourist and religious interest.

Historic Significance

Considered one of the oldest monuments in Leh city, construction of Jama Masjid dates back to 1666-1667 A.D. It is believed to have been built based on an agreement between the ruling monarch of Ladakh at that time, Raja Deldan Namgail and Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor. Terms of agreement were that Ladakh had to pay a yearly tribute to the Mughal emperor in return for them providing security to Ladakh region. Prior to construction of Jama Masjid, there was a small mosque at the place, where the Muslim population of Leh offered their prayers. However, over time with the rise of Muslim population and migration of people, especially traders from Central Asia and Kashmir, it became imperative to have a bigger mosque. This led to the construction of Jama Masjid.

Getting There and Around

By Air

Accessing Leh during the long winter months is only via air. The district’s two airports Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport at Leh and Thoise Nubra Army Airport have flights operating between Leh-Delhi and Leh-Srinagar. Even though there are daily flights that operate between Delhi and Leh, they are subject to frequent delays and cancellations due to heavy snowfall in Leh and foggy conditions in Delhi.

By Rail

Currently, the district of Ladakh and Leh are not connected by a rail network.

By Road

Two high-altitude roads connect Leh to the rest of India that are subject to landslides and cannot be used during the winter months. Usually 1D National Highway from Srinagar via Kargil remains open a bit longer than Leh-Manali highway. JKSRTC provides bus services between Srinagar and Leh covering a distance of 434 km spread over 2 days. Covering a distance of 474 km, HRTC has buses running between Manali and Leh. There are also a number of private taxi operators between Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh during the tourist season.

Best Time to Visit

For a major part of the year, Leh remains inaccessible. Leh experiences incredibly harsh winters that can lead to frost bites especially between the months of October and May. The ideal time to visit is between June and September which is considered to be the summer season. More importantly this is the only time when the passes and roads leading to Leh are open for tourists. It is recommended to check with the official site of Leh (http://leh.nic.in) for further details about road access. During this time Leh offers its visitors a splendid view of the mountains and clear skies. The weather in Leh can be very unpredictable and so it is strongly recommended that visitors carry enough woollen clothing.