The 361-year-old Jama Masjid is in urgent need of repairs, with water seeping through its cracks, the Hindustan Times reported.
Masjid-i Jahān-Numā, popularly known as Jama Masjid was built between 1644 and 1656, and over the years, water seepage has eroded its sandstone structure, plastered walls and the intricate cravings.
The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhara had written a letter in 2016 informing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the current situation. He told Hindustan Times, “I specifically told both the PM’s office and the ASI that lack of maintenance was resulting in permanent damage. In particular, the main prayer chamber and three domes require instant restoration.”
He said that as the mosque is not an ASI-protected monument, they were not aware of the severe damage to the domes. The responsibility of the mosque rests with the Delhi Waqf Board, but there’s a shortage of funds.
Quoting the custodians of the mosque, Hindustan Times reported that the central dome of the main prayer hall is the worst affected. Cracks on walls and minarets have also weakened the structure. The last renovation was done 10 years ago by the ASI.
Currently an estimation of the required funds to tend to the damages is being carried out.
The grand old mosque was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It has been under attack twice, once is 2006 and then in 2010.
In 2006, after the mosque was rocked by two bomb blasts, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah had offered to fund its renovation. But the Indian government had turned down the offer citing a high court direction that said the ASI would undertake the necessary repair job in consultation with the Delhi Waqf Board.