Thousand Lights Mosque

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The Thousand Lights Mosque is located on the Anna Salai Road close to the Anna flyover in Chennai. The Royapettah Township in which it is located has become one of capital cities famous towns. Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to go for interesting excursion trips like the Teynampet and Nungambakkam.

During the beginning of the 19th century, this place was used as the assembling place of Shias, a Muslim sect, in the month of Moharram. In the year 1810, the Arcot family built an assembly hall followed by a mosque in 1820 which is presently known as Thousand lights mosque. The three acres of land over which the mosque sprawls was donated by Nawab Wallajah. There are some contradictions in terms of the incidences which led to its current name. Some believe that it was named after the illumination of about 1000 oil lamps. Other believe that the lights were provided by the Indian National Congress at the annual session to mark its first visit to the city. However, the mosque is much celebrated and revered by the locals living here.

During the course of its glorious history, the mosque was renovated several times and some of its important features include the structure itself, a library, burial ground and a guesthouse. Based on the popular medieval architectural style, this multi domed structure is known for its two exalting minarets. A fine example of architectural skills prevalent during the bygone era, these minarets reach to height of 64 feet above the ground. Verses from the holy book Koran adorn the walls of the mosque. There are separate prayer halls, and rooms for women. The two rooms on the second floor called as Bargah are designed to represent the sanctuary. Although there are no burial sites, two wooden planks exist on the second floor to represent the harems (sanctuary) of Imam Hossein and Abolfazl-al-Abbas. With its glorious history and rich religious significance, the mosque is highly visited by the Shias of India, especially from South India.