Name: Murshidabad
Rating: 3.5

Madina, Murshidabad Overview

Madina is a small mosque between the Palace and the Imambara. It is one of the most sacred Muslim places in Bengal. Made to replicate Hazrat Muhammad's tomb at Madina, the original mosque's foundation had soil from Mecca, before it got destroyed in the fire. The one constructed later was built with pious soil from Karbala

The rooms of the mosque can house 700 Quran readers. Two minarets at the two ends of the mosque measuring 70 feet high, still exist. The architectural layout of this mosque is a rectangular plan. It has been divided into five inlets, each with a curved entrance and the central one is the most noticeable one as it has a lean steeple. The mosque has five domes, each of them used by a solo Namaz reader.

History of the Madina Mosque

The Madina Mosque in Murshidabad is a complex which comprises two mosques. The old mosque was built by the Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah of Bengal, while the new one was built by Nawab Mansure Khan. The new mosque was built in 1847, while the old one was built in the 1700s.
The old mosque was burnt to quite an extent in December 1846, after which the new mosque was built. The Nizamat Imambara houses both of these mosques.

Islamic Architecture

The Madina mosque follows a very well-defined pattern of Islamic architecture. The mosque is on a raised platform and decorated with embellishments from around the world. China tiles adorn the platform, and soil had been taken in from Karbala in the foundation of the mosque. The walls and arches contain inscribed text from the Quran. There were fountains surrounding the old and new mosques.

How to reach Madina

Air: The nearest International Airport from Murshidabad is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, approximately four-hour drive from Murshidabad. The Airport is well connected with other major domestic as well as international cities. Taxis and buses are easily available outside the airport.
Rail: Murshidabad Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of India On reaching the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the Madina.
Road: Murshidabad is 39 Kms from Kandi and is connected via West Bengal State Road Transport Corporation (WBSRTC) and some private travel players.