By far the unique mosque I have seen is the one in Kuala Lumpur. The National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur city of Malaysia has modern architecture and looks very different from what I have seen in India, at least. Initially 'No Photography' sign-board outside the mosque discouraged me to go inside but still it's beauty from outside encouraged me to go inside and at least, experience the difference. Later I realized that photography is prohibited only inside the main prayer hall, so I could click all these photographs.
National Mosque of Kuala Lumpur is in middle of the hustle-bustle of the town and at walkable distance from Merdeka Square and Sultan Abdul Samad building. And this is one of the most popular mosques in Malaysia. There are various other around Kuala Lumpur city but accessibility of this mosque to everybody visiting the city is easier. Probably that's the reason you also see lot of tourist buses stopping here and lot of tourists roaming around the mosque & it's lush green parks.
If you are there to explore National Mosque of Malaysia from inside and not appropriately dressed, they have arrangements for the same. The dress you see in above photograph is given to you at entry gate and you have to return it back while exiting the mosque compound.
The minaret you see in above photograph is part of the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur and is visible from almost all sides of the mosque. This is probably the highest structure in the mosque. In above photograph you also see some fountains and trees. This is what you see from the bus parking area. Most of the tourist buses drop people near this fountain and then people need to walk up to the mosque which is very close. You can take the shoes till the entrance of main building and there are arrangements to keep shoes in safe state.
This photograph shows the green & open space of National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. These high trees make this place more beautiful and desirable. Weather was not favorable otherwise I would have sat here and spent some time around this green patch in the middle of the city with skyscrapers.
Whole space is beautiful done at National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Above photograph shows roof of a six pillared structure in the green park on the outer side of this mosque. These are green trees all around this place and hence this transparent glass has green tint.
After taking off the shoes you go closer to the prayer hall where only muslim are allowed. But outside the the prayer hall, you can roam around freely. Photography is also allowed here. The very first photograph shows the interiors of main prayer hall which looks like a star from the height (aerial photograph).
This photograph gives a quick glimpse of the prayer hall - this beautiful carpet, fine details on the pillars, contrasting & shiny colors, Beautiful carving & designs on the roof makes this hall very special. Unfortunately I was not allowed inside so this one was shot through the glass door. The very first photograph in this post was shot by one of the locals who was coming out from the prayer hall with his family. When I requested him to click one photograph, he smiled, took the camera and went back inside to click the prayer hall.
As you move ahead of the prayer hall, there are more sections of the mosque and dedicated to different kinds of things. Without going much into religious details (because I don't want to mess the details with my half knowledge) I would rather showcase the architecture of the place. And as a traveler & photographer, I was more interested in this modern architecture of a mosque.
Timings of National Mosque for non-muslim tourists-
9am - 12 noon
3pm - 4pm
5:30pm - 6:30pm
240 feet high minaret at National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur. That's the one you see in almost all photographs because it's hard to ignore it :). Just below this minaret , there is a water pond and the reflections looks just awesome which is hard to express in words and above photograph doesn't do justice to it.
This photograph shows the water body near the prayer hall and prayer hall on the other side of this water body. Just notice the roof-top of the prayer hall. That's what is star shaped and in any aerial photograph of National Mosque this looks like a beautiful star surrounded by other structures and green patches full of trees, water bodies & fountains.
Above photograph shows the main entry gate of Nationa Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. There is no entry fees in this mosque. This mosque was completed in 1965, and that certainly reflects about it's relatively modern architecture.
I loved roaming around this beautiful Mosque in Kuala Lumpur and other historic buildings around it. I will be writing separately about that but there are plenty of places around National Mosque which can explored on foot. Since I had only one in Kuala Lumpur and had hired taxi, I restricted my walks, which is unusual. Overall it was worth a halt and Travellingcamera loved shooting things around this beautiful Mosque.
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