Madhudas ka Dewhra Mosque

Madhudas ka Dewhra Mosque is an ancient mosque located at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was built more than a century ago by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. This lofty mosque is noted for its simple yet beautiful architecture. Every year the beauty of this mosque attracts many devotees and tourists to this sacred city.

Architecture of Madhudas ka Dewhra Mosque
The Mosque can be reached by ascending a fleet of stairs from the Panchganga Ghat. The edifice of the mosque is above the bank of the river. However, the foundation of the building goes deep into the ground. The foundation of the mosque is thus very strong. The mosque has been built more than a century ago but the structure still appears to be as solid and strong as on the day it was constructed. The enormous pile is located on the very edge of a steep bank or cliff but not a single stone has loosened. The temple can be reached through a door in the northern wall. The front side of the mosque can be seen from here. The second door is built on the southern side. There is a high wall, next to the street running by the western side of the mosque, which is continued round to the north-east corner. A fleet of stone stairs have been built on the eastern side that descends to the river. The enclosure of the mosque is not very spacious and cannot sufficiently provide the observer a satisfactory view of the minarets. However, it is extensive enough to give him idea of their symmetry and elegance.

Madhudas ka Dewhra Mosque has been built in a plain and simple way but the minarets adorning the mosque are strikingly beautiful and considered to be unique in Varanasi. They are almost one hundred and fifty feet in height from the floor of the mosque. Even the bank of the river on which this edifice stands is nearly the same in height. These beautiful minarets are noticeable even from a distance of many miles from the city. It is said that they were originally fifty feet higher than they now are but were later cut down to their present height. Each tower has a staircase from the summit of which one can get a complete view of Varanasi and its suburbs. The Mosque is visited by many Europeans and other tourists visiting Varanasi. It is regarded by them as one of the main sights. On Fridays, devotees visit the mosque.

A small village was there at one time, in possession of the mosque. The expenses of the temple were then partially paid from this village. However, later its possession and authority went into the hands of the Government.