Jama Masjid, Leh

Jama Masjid stands in Leh's Main Bazaar, at the centre of the old town, and is among the oldest and largest mosques in Ladakh. It dates from the Mughal period: it was built after Deldan Namgyal, then ruler of Ladakh, reached an agreement with the emperor Aurangzeb under which the Mughals would protect the Ladakhi kings in return for payment. The building follows Turkish-Iranian architectural styles.

The mosque is linked with the Sufi tradition and is the focus of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations for Leh's Muslim community. Only men may enter today. The lanes of traditional Ladakhi houses and the market stalls around it sell handicrafts, souvenirs and street food.