Jama Masjid in Leh is the largest mosque in Ladakh, built in 1666-67 under an agreement between the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and the Ladakhi king Deldan Namgyal. It stands at the head of the main bazaar, below the palace, and remains the centre of Muslim life in Leh. The building has been enlarged and rebuilt over the centuries.
Duke Kashmir Travels, registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011, covers the Leh town sites on Ladakh itineraries. Packages start near ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- At the head of Leh's main bazaar, below the palace.
- Built in 1666-67, about a year's work.
- It followed an agreement between Aurangzeb and King Deldan Namgyal.
- The largest mosque in the Ladakh region.
- Friday prayers and Eid fill the hall and the courtyard.
- A few minutes' walk from Zorawar Fort and Leh Palace.
What is the history of the mosque?
It was built in 1666-67 following an agreement between the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Deldan Namgyal, the king of Ladakh, at a time when Ladakh sought Mughal support.
That treaty is the reason a major mosque stands at the centre of a predominantly Buddhist town, and it is a useful reminder that Ladakh's history is one of negotiated coexistence rather than isolation.
What does it look like?
A large hall and courtyard at the top of the bazaar, rebuilt and enlarged over time, blending regional and Central Asian influences.
Visitors are welcome outside prayer times. Dress modestly, remove your shoes and ask before photographing worshippers.
How does it fit a Leh day?
It sits with Leh Palace, the old town and Zorawar Fort in one walkable group at the top of the bazaar.
That makes it an easy first-day stop while acclimatising, before the drives out to Thiksey and the Indus valley monasteries.
Booking this with us
Behind the itineraries: Duke Kashmir Travels, a Srinagar agency carrying tourism registration JKTA00003978 from March 2011, IATO membership ALD150928 and a seat in the JK Tourism Council. Details on About Us.
Give us the dates and the number of travellers; the itinerary and the quote come back the same day. +91 9018 44 0000, info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or the contact page.
About the founder
Duke Kashmir Travels is owned and run by its founder, Rayies Ahmad Zargar, who set it up in Srinagar in 2011 and checks these destination pages himself. LinkedIn.