Indo Islamic Heritage
The location is well-connected by various modes of transportation. The nearest metro station is South Extension on the Pink Line, located approximately 0.7 km away, which is about an 8–9 minute walk. For suburban rail access, Lodhi Colony (LDCY) station is around 2 km from the area. Bus connectivity is also convenient, with the Ayurvigyan Nagar or Masjid Moth bus stop just about 460 meters away, roughly a 6-minute walk. Additionally, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is situated at a distance of 17–18 km and can be reached in approximately 18 minutes by taxi or car.
Moth ki Masjid, also known as the “Lentil Mosque,” is a 16th-century Indo-Islamic architectural monument located in South Extension Part II, Delhi. Built in 1505 CE by Wazir Miya Bhoiya, the prime minister under Sultan Sikandar Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, the mosque has an intriguing legend associated with its origin. According to folklore, Sikandar Lodi once found a small lentil (moth) on his prayer mat and handed it to Miya Bhoiya. Instead of discarding it, the minister planted the seed, and through repeated cultivation and successful harvests, he was able to raise enough funds to construct the mosque—with the Sultan’s approval. Architecturally, the mosque stands on a raised plinth and features a large courtyard and a rectangular prayer hall with five arched bays, giving it the nickname “Panchmukhi Mosque.” Its design includes three semi-circular domes, with the central one being the largest, supported by squinches, and flanked by corner towers and chhatris that still bear traces of blue tile work. Built primarily with red sandstone and white marble, it showcases decorative elements like glazed tiles, lattice windows, and both Islamic and Hindu architectural motifs. The mosque is a significant example of the “new mosque” typology from the Lodi period—more intimate and refined than earlier structures—and later served as inspiration for monuments like the Jamali-Kamali Mosque. Today, Moth ki Masjid is a protected Monument of National Importance under the Archaeological Survey of India, nestled quietly in Masjid Moth Village. Although regular prayers are rare, it remains a heritage site interwoven with the daily life of the surrounding neighborhood, and is open to visitors daily from sunrise to sunset without any entry fee.
Year of Built: 14th - 15th Century
Address: 92, Masjid Moth Rd, South Extension II, Masjid Moth Village, New Delhi, Delhi
Country: India
State: Delhi
District: South Delhi
Pincode: 110049
Longitude: 77.2177
Latitude: 28.5625