About The Holy Shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.)

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The Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.)

The Holy Shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.)

The magnificent and marvellous buildings and structures in the holy shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.), comprises one of the oldest and most beautiful religious and historical monuments in the world.
The grand complex of the holy shrine is round in structure which includes six courtyards (Sahn), twenty - one porches (Riwaq), the Gowhar shad Mosque, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Islamic Research Foundation, Museums, the Central Library Complex, Offices, Hospital, Inn and the buildings for performing ablutions. The present surface area of the holy shrine is 267079 sq.meters.
The magnificent and grand structures located in the holy shrine are as follows:

The Holy Burial Chamber (Haram)
Installation of the New Magnificent Zarih
Over the Sacred Grave


On 6th March 2001 coinciding with 10th Zill Hajjah, 1421 A.H, the auspicious occasion of Idd-al-Adha, the newly made magnificent Zarih on the sacred grave of Imam Reza (A.S.) was opened for the Ziyarah of the pilgrims. In an official grand religious ceremony which was conducted in the holy burial chamber of the holy shrine, Ayatullah Khamna'ee, the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran declared open the beautiful new Zarih for the Ziyarah of the pilgrims.
The sacred grave of Imam Reza (A.S.) is covered by a beautiful epitaph, around which the Zarih or silver-grill is placed. According to the historians the first Zarih on the sacred grave was built around 500 A.H.
The recently replaced Zarih was installed at the sacred grave in 1959. But that Zarih's frame had been weakened due to the incessant touch of the millions of pilgrims to it every year. The present new zarih which was installed on 6th March 2001 was built under the supervision of the world renowned master craftsmen and artist Ustad Mahmud Farshchiyan.
The construction and creation of this new artistic marvel was started in 1993 and after eight years of incessant efforts the new Zarih was made ready by the end of the year 2000 by the sacred endeavors of the master craftsmen in Iran like Ustad Khudadad Zadeh Isfahani and Ustad Kashti Aara Shirazi. It look 56 days to install the grand new Zarih in a planned engineering operation supervized by Chief Engineer Aziziyan. The replaced Zarih which was placed on the sacred grave in 1959 is being installed in the Central Museum of the holy shrine for the view of the foreign visitors and pilgrims of the holy shrine.
The structure of the present Zarih is made up of iron and wood and is covered with thick plates of silver and gold and its total weight is 12 tons. The present Zarih's length is 4.78 meters, breadth 3.73 meters and height 3.96 meters with four openings. The Zarih has a total of fourteen arched structures. Above the arched structures the Quranic chapters Surah Yasin and Surah Ad-Dahr are inscribed in Thulth script.
The length of the Surah Ad-Dahr inscription is 16.76 meters and its breadth 18cm. The inscription of these two chapters of the Holy Qur'an has been inscribed by the famous Iranian calligrapher Ustad Muwahhed.
The exterior of the Zarih is also studded with the beautiful names of Allah Almighty and these were inlaid in gold and silver by the famous craftsmen Ustad Khudadad Zadeh Isfahani. The vaulted arches and the floral patterns engraved on the Zarih are in close confirmity with the rest of the symbols and structures present in the various buildings of the holy shrine.
The floral patterns inlaid on the Zarih are in the numerals 5 and 8, the numeral 5 represents the Holy Panjtan (the five holy and infallible personalities Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (S.A.W.), Imam Ali (A.S.), Hazrat Fatima Zahra(A.S.), Imam Hasan (A.S.) and Imam Husain (A.S.) and the numeral 8 represents Imam Reza(A.S.), the eighth Shi'ite holy and infallible Imam.
The interior of the Zarih for the first time in the history has been inlaid with beautiful names of Allah Almighty and this inlaid work was accomplished by Ustad Kashti Aara Shirazi.
A new epitaph stone is also placed on the sacred grave which is made up of a single exquisite marble stone. On this epitaph the verses from the Holy Qur'an has been inscribed beautifully. The replaced epitaph on the holy grave was made up of 11 pieces of marble stones.
During the installation process of the new Zarih the new air-conditioning system has also been put into operation within the dome of the holy shrine and the world famous mirror and tile-works present on the ceiling and the walls of the burial chamber has also been renovated.
This wonderful work was accomplished by ten master Iranian craftsmen under the supervision of the internationally renowned artist Ustad Mahmud Farshchiyan, who is well known world-wide for his paintings entitled "The Evening of Ashura" and "Imam Ali(A.S.) Caressing the Orphans.". Ustad Farshchiyan has not taken a single Rial for supervising this great masterpiece work which was completed in a period of eight years. Ustad Farshchiyan is also a voluntary attendant of the holy shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.).
The holy grave of Emam Reza (A.S.) is located under a dazzling and grand dome. The mirror work in the holy burial chamber under the dome is one of the finest in the world. The holy grave itself is inside a Zarih (silver grill) which is also one of the finest examples of Iranian Islamic art.
The holy grave from the beginning (203 A.H./817 A.D.) had a dome and surrounding courts and gradually kings and the nobles added new structures to it, till it attained the present grandeur and magnificence. According to the historical records, the grand dome and the Zarih on the tomb of Emam Reza (A.S.) was built in the 5th century Hijrah during the reign of Ghaznavid and Seljuk dynasties.
The southern area of the holy burial chamber is called Payeen-e- Pa-e- Mubarak (at the blessed feet of the holy grave) and the northern area of the Haram is called Bala-i Sar-e- Mubarak (the upeer side of the holy grave).
In 1981 the area around the Zarih of the Holy Emam (A.S.) was expanded on its three sides by 54 sq.meters and thus the total area at present in the holy burial chamber and under the dome is 135 sq.meters.
From the beginning of the Safavid dynasty in the early sixteenth century A.D./tenth century Hijrah, till now four Zarihs had been placed around the holy grave of Emam Reza (A.S.). The present Zarih was placed in 1954 and its length is 4.05 meters, its breadth 3.06 meters and its height is 3.90 meters. On the length side it has four arched structures and on the breadth side three arched structures thus the Zarih has a total of fourteen arched structures. In between these arched structures eighteen convex elliptical golden sheets are fixed on the top of it and on these sheets the Ahadith (traditions) are writlen in Thulth script. Around the Zarih on the upper part of it names of Fourteen Masoomeen (A.S.) are written in Thulth script on serrated golden sheets studded with turquoise. The 100 Divine Names of Allah Almighty is written on the milled edged form above these golden serrated sheets and around the Zarih. On the ceiling splendid mirror work which was installed in 1817 A.D. during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar has been preserved.
The present Zarih's frame had been weakened due to the incessant touch of millions of pilgrims to it every year Thus a new grand and beautiful Zarih is being made by Astan Quds Razavi under the superivision of internationally renowned master craftsman and artist Ustad Farshchiyan. The size of the new Zarih is larger than the present one. As per the evaluation of experts the new Zarih is designed to last 300 years whithout repairs or renovation and it will be the greatest masterpiece of Islamic art.
The walls around the Zarih are covered by marbles up to 20 centimeters, the next 92 centimeters by priceless and intricate tiles known as Sultan Sanjari tiles. Quranic verses and the sayings of Fourteen Masoomeen (A.S.) had been carved on these tiles. The important inscription written around the walls is 80 centimeters wide and inscribed in Thulth script by Ali Reza Abbasi, the famous calligraphist of the Safavid period bearing the Surah Jumah (Friday chapter) of the Holy Quran.
On the walls around the Zarih 104 valuable antique pieces which were presented to the holy shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.) are preserved and exhibited in eight cases.


The "Sandouq" Over The Holy Grave

After Emam Reza (A.S.) was laid to rest a wooden Sandouq (case) was placed over his holy grave. In the 6th century A.H, during the rule of Sultan Sanjar, a Sandouq made of silver replaced the old one. The famous north African traveller Ibn Batuta, who passed through the holy city of Mashhad in 734 A.H./1333 A.D, has written in his travel account about a wooden case plated with silver and covering the blessed grave. With the coming to power of the Safavids the second king of the dynasty, Shah Tahmasb I, coated the Sandouq with gold and during the reign of Shah Abbas I, it received another gold coating and inscriptions by the famous calligraphist Ali Reza Abbasi.
In 1143 A.H., Nader Shah Afshar applied another coat of gold which, however was later removed by his grandsons Nader Mirza and Nusratullah Mirza, who melted it to make the "Naderi Coins".
In 1932 A.D. The wooden Sandouq was removed and transferred to the museum and in its place a new Sanduoq, made of 11 slabs of exquisite marble, was installed over the grave. The marble, which is from the Shandiz quarry near Mashhad, is green in colour with a yellowish hue. This Sandouq is 210 centimeters in length, 160 centimeters in width and 95 centimeters in height. The same marble was also used for the floor inside the Sandouq.


The Dome

The first dome over the blessed grave was built by Mamun. The present dome, however, was built over the holy grave during the rule of Sultan Muhammad Khudabandeh (b. 1282 A.D.), the Mongol ruler of Iran converted to Shiaism and ruled Iran from 703-716 A.H. / 1304-1316 A.D. High quality decorative glazed tiles were used for its construction.
The magnificent dome is one of the biggest and the most magnificent specimens of Islamic architecture in the world.
The great golden dome on the tomb consists of two coverings, which includes a false ceiling under the dome. The ceiling above the Zarih is made of stalactite stucco work decorated with variety of coloured glasses is considered as the finest mirror work in the world. The height of it from the ground to the ceiling is 18.80 meters. The second covering of the dome is completely covered with golden sheets and its height from the ground to the top is 31.20 meters and the circumference of the dome is 42.10 meters.
In the year 932 A.H./ 1525 A.D., Shah Tahmasb I, removed the glazed tiles from the dome and replaced them with golden bricks. During the Uzbek occupation of Mashhad, Abdul Momen Khan attacked the holy shrine and stole all the gold from the dome, however, in the period 1010-1016 A.H./ 1601-1617 A.D., Shah Abbas I, once again coverd the dome with golden bricks.
On the second covering of dome at the 6.74 meters height there is an important and beautiful Qur'anic inscription in blue colour of 1.90 meters breadth on the 42.10 meters circumference of the dome inscribed in Thulth script by Ali Reza Abbasi, the famous calligraphist of Safavid period. The decoration of the dome was carried out in the year 1016 A.H./ 1607 A.D.

Minarets

Beside the two towering minarets of Gowharshad Mosque each 40 meters high located on both the sides of Ivan-i Maqsureh of the mosque there are six other minarets in the holy shrine. The two olden minarets made out of gold have been specially built for the holy shrine. The minarets are usually made on the two sides of the dome and near it but these two golden minarets had been built far away from each other. One close to the golden dome, upon the Ivan-i Naderi in the southern part of Sahn Inqilab was built by Shah Tahmasb Safavi. Its height is 40.50 meters and its circumference is 13 meters. The other golden minaret of the same height is almost far built in the northern part of Sahn Inqilab on Ivan-i Abbasi and it was constructed during the reign of Nader Shah Afshar. Although lack of symmetry can be clearly felt, it has been carried out with the purpose so that when the pilgrims enter the holy shrine from the Imam Reza (A.S.) Avenue, they can see the dome between these two golden minarets.
Two golden minarets each 30 meters high are recently constructed on the northern and the southern Ivans of the Jumhuri Islami Courtyard. These two minarets had been decorated completely with golden tiles. On the southern side of the Imam Khomeini (R.A.) Courtyard on both sides of the Mihrab two beautiful minarets decorated with mosaic tiles are recently constructed. The height of these minarets is 7.50 meters with a diameter of 1.40 meters. Thus at present there are eight magnificent minarets in the holy shrine in the memory of Emam Reza (A.S.), the eighth Holy Infallible Imam of the Shi'ites in the world.
Six towering minarets each with a height of 121 meters are under construction around the Sahn Jameh Razavi. These magnificent and towering minarets after its completion will be visible from any part of the holy city of Mashhad. These minarets which will be the loftiest minarets in Iran are being built by latest towers construction technology with the amalgamation of exquisite Islamic architecture. Thus after the completion of the construction of these minarets the total numbers of magnificent minarets in the holy shrine will rise to fourteen in the memory of the Fourteen Infallibles (Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.), Hazrat Fatima Zahra (A.S.) and the Twelve Shi'ite Imams).

The Bala-Sar Mosque of the Holy Shrine

There is a small rectangular mosque attached to the western part of the burial chamber. It is famous as Masjid-e- Bala-e- Sar-e- Mubarak-e- Hazrat because the pilgrims enter this mosque from western side of the Holy Imam's burial chamber which is called Bala-e-Sar of the Holy Imam (A.S.).This sacred mosque has a history of over ten centuries. It is one of the oldest existing mosques in Mashhad, and was built by Abul Hasan Dabir during the reign of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni(998-1020 A.D.). Ibn Batuta who visited Mashhad in 734 A.H/1333 A.D. has mentioned this mosque in his travel account. The length of the mosque is 8 meters, breadth 5 meters and height 10 meters. The walls are covered with marble upto 90 centimeters, the next 1.70 meters with expensive Sultan Sanjari glazed tiles and the rest of the wall and ceiling is covered with beautiful mirrors. There is a mihrab connected to the holy burial chamber and the walls around the mosque are inscribed with Quranic verses in Thulth script.
This mosque has three terraces in the east, west and north.Its eastern terrace is adjacent to the Holy Shrine.Its western terrace is attached to the Dar-al Siyadah porch through a silver window.And the northern terrace of the mosque is attached to the Dar-al Shukr porch.

Riwaq (Porch)

The holy burial chamber is connected to a network of twenty one Riwaqs (porches) covering an area of 5638 square meters. Riwaqs are the roofed buildings with different heights and designs built around the holy burial chamber during various phases of one thousand and two hundred years long history of the holy shrine.
The names and location of these Riwaqs are as follows:
The historical and the magnificent Dar-al-Siyadah Riwaq on the west of the holy shrine, the old and historical Dar al-Huffaz on the south of the holy shrine, Gunbad-e- Hatam Khani and Dar al-Sa'adah porches on the east, Dar al-Faiz and Tawheed Khana porches on the north. On the south-eastern side of the holy shrine the following Riwaqs are located: Dar al-Salaam, Dar al-Izzat, Dar al-Suroor, Dar al-Zikr, Dar al-Zuhd, Shaykh Baha'i Riwaq and Dar al-Ibadah. Two Riwaqs, Gunbad-e- Allahverdikhan and Dar al-Ziyafah are located on north- eastern side and four other porches Dar al-Shukr, Dar al-Sharaf, Dar al-Ikhlas and Dar al-Vilayah are located on north- western side of the holy shrine. Two newly built porches Dar al-Hidayah and the Dar al-Rahmah are situated on south- western side of the holy shrine.

I- Dar al-Siyadah:

It is the glorious and one of the oldest porches of the holy shrine and located on the western side of the holy shrine running parallel to Bala Sar Mosque and Dar al-Huffaz porch from north to south. This historical building was built in 821 A.H. / 1418 under the orders of Gowharshad Agha, the renowned wife of Timurid Sultan, Shahrukh Mirza, son of Tamerlane.
Its length is 32.86 meters and different breadth and 20.87 meters height and on the two parts of the porch five terraces are located which had created different breadth for the porch.
On the eastern side of this porch there is a silver window from where the burial chamber of the Holy Imam (A.S.) can be seen. This is the special place for supplication for all the afflicted and ill persons. At this particular place the seriously ill and sick persons are miraculously cured regularly.
On the orders of Gowharshad Agha the walls of this Riwaq were built of white marble two feet above the ground. Glazed bricks in even form have been used on the walls with verses from the Holy Qur'an written on the top sections in "Nastaliq" style. Above the Qur'anic inscriptions is stucco work inlaid with mirrors. Dar us Siyadah presents one of the most attractive displays of Islamic art with vault-work, stucco designs, mirror-work, wood-carvings, masonry and engraving contributing to its splendour.
In the north-east the Rivaq is separated from the holy burial chamber by a silver grill. Many great and prominent ulama are buried in this Riwaq.
At the southern side of the porch there is a golden door which opens towards northern balcony of Gowharshad Mosque and there is corridor from this porch towards the Saqqa Khana and Dar al-Huffaz porch.This Riwaq is also attached to the Dar-al Wilayah Riwaq.
Dar al-Siyadah is allocated for the men pilgrims for performing pilgrimage and practicing other religious services.

2 - Dar al-Huffaz(the Hall of The Memorizers of the Holy Qur'an)

It is also one of the glorious and oldest porches of the holy shrine. It was built under the order of Gowharshad Agha in 841 A.H./1437 A.D. The length of the porch is 18 meters long and 8.65 meters wide. It is located south of the holy shrine and north- east of Gowharshad Mosque. Stone slabs engraved with verses of the Holy Qur'an and floral designs cover the base of its walls to a height of 1.70 meters from the plinth or base. The length of the Riwaq is 18 meters, its width 8.65 meters and its height is 24.46 meters.
Above the plinth and on all sides of the porch there are epigraph stone in which 47 couplets of the famous elegy by Hakeem Qa'ani is inlaid. The arched wall and roof is covered with decorative mirrors and the flooring is completely of marble.
Dar al-Huffaz consists of seven terraces and four of them consists of doors which leads to burial chamber, Dar al-Siyadah porch, Gowharshad Mosque and the corridor towards the shoe-keeping place.
The tile work and epigraphs on the northern wall of the porch was accomplished in 612 A.H./ 1215 A.D., and it was previously the door way to the burial chamber.
In the Dar al-Huffaz (the Hall of Memorizers of the Holy Qur'an) Riwaq special ceremonies for the recitation of the Holy Qur'an are conducted daily in the morning and evening. Abbas Mirza, the heir -apparent of Fath Ali Shah Qajar was buried in this Riwaq after he died fighting against the Russians in the Caucasus.
Dar al-Huffaz is exclusively for men pilgrims to practice religious services.

3. Hatam Khani Dome:

This is also one of the oldest and historical buildings of the holy shrine. This dome lies towards the feet of the holy burial chamber (Paeen -e- Pa-e Mubarak -e- Hazrat). It is located east of the holy shrine and connected to southern part of the burial chamber. The porch is 13.50 meters long, 7.30 meters wide and 11.60 meters high.
The eastern side of this porch is connected to Dar al-Sa'adah porch by a big and high terrace. On the north-western angle of the porch there is a corridor which leads to Allahverdikhan dome and by two passages it is also connected to Dar al-Salaam porch. The floor and its plinth is covered with marble and above it is decorated with intricate mosaic tiles. At the top of it verses from the Holy Qur'an are inscribed on epigraphs in the Thulth script. The wall above the epigraph upto the roof is decorated with colourful mosaic tiles of different sizes and styles and it is considered as the wonder of the mosaic tile work. On the wall of the porch, the famous elegy of Baba Fuqani Shirazi is engraved and there are also epigraphs with the verses of the Holy Qur'an on the walls.
This Riwaq was built in 1101 A.H./1602 A.D., by Hatam Baig Ordoobadi, one of the ministers of Shah Abbas I, the famous ruler of the Safavid dynasty in Iran. This building was once again renovated in 1269 A.H/1852 A.D., by Muhammad Ali Baig Afshar. This building is exclusively for the women pilgrims and through this porch they visit the burial chamber of the Holy Imam (A.S.).

5. Dar al-Faiz:

It is located behind the northern side of the burial chamber and is also adjoined to it. Through this porch the women pilgrims visit the burial chamber.
Southern side of the porch runs parallel to the burial chamber. From the north-eastern side there is a passage to Allahverdikhan dome. The terrace on the northern side is adjoined to the Tawhid Khana porch.
The porch is 15.95 meters long, 5.90 meters wide and 9.50 meters high. The floor is covered with white marbles. Above the plinth the elegy of Qa'ani in Nastaliq script is inscribed. Above the inscription up to the arched roof, all the walls, columns and roof is completely covered with colourful mosaic tiles with beautiful designs. The upper section of the walls are rich in vault work, with beautiful glazed tiles bearing inscriptions from the Holy Qur'an and 98 Asma al-Husna (the beautiful names of Allah). This Riwaq was built during the Safavid reign. It is exclusively reserved for the women pilgrims.

6. Dar al-Shukr:

This porch is located adjacent to Dar al-Faiz porch and north of Bala Sar Mosque. It is nearly quadrangular in shape and the length of every side is 6.50 meters and its height is 9.50 meters.
On the northern side of the porch there are two passages one of which leads to Tala Balcony of Inqilab courtyard and the other leads to Tawheed Khana porch. The eastern and western sides of the porch are connected to Dar al-Faiz and Dar al-Sharaf porches respectively.
The floor and its plinth upto 1.67 meters is covered with marbles. Above the plinth, the chapter of "Amm" from the Holy Qur'an is inscribed in Thulth script. Above the inscription all its walls and the arched roof is completely decorated with mosaic tiles. This porch is reserved for the men pilgrims.

7. Tawhid Khana:

This porch is situated in the northern side of the holy shrine between the Dar al-Faiz porch and Inqilab (Atiq) courtyard. From its eastern side there is a passage to Allahverdikhan porch and from the western side it leads towards Tala Balcony of Inqilab (Atiq) courtyard.
Tawhid Khana has been constructed by the orders of Allamah Mohsen Faiz Kashani(one of the famous and the leading scholars of the Safavid period). Allamah Faiz Kashani has been a teacher in this sacred building.
On the northern side of the porch there is a brassy window famous as Panjareh Fulad, situated in Inqilab courtyard. From this window the burial chamber is visible. The porch is 15.50 meters long, 7.35 meters wide and 15 meters high. Above the plinth of the porch the sacred names of twelve Holy Imams (A.S.) are inscribed. The walls and the arched roof of the porch is decorated with colourful mirrors. This porch is also exclusively for the women pilgrims.

8. Dar al-Salaam:

This grand and beautiful Riwaq is situated parallel to the Dar al-Huffaz. This building is connected to the Dar al-Huffaz Riwaq by a golden gate. On the eastern side of the porch there are three pavilions between this porch and the Dar al-Izzat porch. There is a big passage which connects Dar al-Salaam porch to Dar al-Suroor porch by a golden gate. The eastern terrace of Dar al-Salaam porch is connected to Hatam Khani dome by two passages and on southern side of the porch there is a beautiful Mihrab. The porch is 22 meters long, 10 meters wide and 9.5 meters high.
The floor is covered with beautiful green marbles and its plinth upto 1.65 meters is covered with jasper green coloured marbles. The walls and the roof are beautifully decorated with mirrors of different designs which had given grand sight to the porch.
On the north-eastern corner of the porch the great combatant religious scholar of Islam, Ayatullah Shaheed Hasheminejad is buried who was martyred in Mashhad in 1360 H.S./ 1981 A.D. by the terrorists.
Dar al-Salaam proch is exclusively for the men pilgrims.

9. Dar al-Izzat:

It is one of the south-eastern porches of the holy shrine and is located between Dar al-Salaam and Dar al-Zikr porches. The door on the southern side of this porch opens in Shabistan (prayer hall) of Gowharshad Mosque.
Dar al-Izzat porch is adjoined to Dar al-Suroor porch by a doorway. On the eastern side of the porch three doors open in Dar al-Zikr porch. The porch is 11 meters long, 3.12 meters wide and 4.35 meters high. The floor and its plinth upto 1.50 meters is covered with marble stones and above the plinth, the walls and the roof are decorated with beautiful mirrors.
Dar al-Izzat porch is exclusively for the men pilgrim.

10. Dar al-Suroor:

It is situated between Dar al-Sa'adah and Dar al-Zikr porches and it is one of the entrances to the burial chamber through Azadi courtyard. At the beginning of the porch, shoe-keeping place no. 7 is situated and at its end it is connected to Dar al-Salaam porch by a beautiful golden gate.
At the northern side of the porch there is a big passage with a golden gate which leads to Dar al-Sa'adah porch. At the southern side there are three courts which are connected to Dar al-Zikr porch and throuqh another court it is adjoined to Dar al-Izzat porch. The floor and the plinth upto 1.45 meters is covered with marbles and above the plinth, the walls and the roof is completely decorated with intrinsic mirrors.
This porch is exclusively for men pilgrims and it has two offices:
1) Consignment office: It safely deposits the objects belonging to the pilgrims as long as they wish.
2) Endowment Office: Here receipts are given to the pilgrims upon receiving the endowments.

11. Dar al-Zikr:

This porch had been recently constructed and is located in the south-east of the holy shrine and west of the Azadi courtyard. It is connected by three courts on the western side to Dar al-Izzat porch and by three other courts on the northern side it is adjoined to Dar al-Suroor porch.
The porch is 16.50 meters long 12.82 meters wide and 9 meters high. The floor and the plinth upto 1.53 meters is covered with white marble stones. Above the plinth, the walls and roof are decorated with beautiful mosaic tiles in arabesque and citron style. The roof is completely vaulted and arched and decorated with mosaic tiles.
Around the Dar al-Zikr porch the head offices of security of the holy shrine, endowments and attendants are situated. This porch is exclusively for the prayers of the men pilgrims.

12. Dar al-Zuhd:

It is one of the most important porches situated in south-eastern side of the holy shrine and is adjoined to Imam Khomeini (R.A.) courtyard. This porch is connected by a passage to the Dar al-Zikr porch. The three courts on the eastern side of the porch leads to the Shaykh Baha'i grave and four courts of the southern side have passage to Imam Khomeini (R.A.) courtyard. The four other courts of the western side, connects the porch to the passage of the "Protocol and Ceremonies Hall".
Dar al-Zuhd is 17.50 meters long, 16 meters wide and 5.90 meters high. The floor is covered with marbles and the walls are decorated with mirrors. The roof is in the form of hanging with 64 fountains ornamented with beautiful mirrors. In this porch important ceremonies of sermons and lectures are conducted. Dar al-Zuhd Riwaq contains some of the most attractive Islamic art-work in the form of vaults, mirror-work and stucco. Marble covers the floor and the base area of the walls, while glazed tiles adorn its facade
This Riwaq is allocated for men for the purpose of prayers and pilgrimage.

13. Shaykh Baha'i:

This porch is located in south-eastern side of holy shrine and opposite to Dar al-Ibadah. It is visited through three passages, first a passage from the south of Azadi courtyard, second from the court of Dar al-Zuhd porch and the third from the court of Dar al-Ibadah porch. Three other courts on the southern side connects this porch to the Imam Khomeini (R.A.) courtyard.
This porch is quadrangular in shape with 10.30 meters length and 10 meters breadth. The floor and the plinth upto 1.60 meters is covered with green marbles. The grave of Allamah Shaykh Baha'i, a renowned Shi'ite scholar of tenth century Hijrah, is located in the middle of the porch.On the epitaph of the grave the details of his birth and demise are written.Shaykh Baha'i was born in Ba'albek(a village in Lebanon)in 953 A.H./1544 A.D., and became the Shaykh-ul-Islam of Safawid Iran during the reign of Shah Abbas.He expired in Isfahan in 1031 A.H.,and his body was transferred to the holy city of Mashhad and buried in this Riwaq which became famous in his name.
All the walls above the plinth and the roof is completely decorated with mirrors. The roof is in the form of hanging arches in checkered style with 25 fountains. Below the arches, on three sides of the porch the brief biography and the books written by Shaykh Bahai's are incribed on marble stones in Thulth script.

14. Dar al-Ibadah:

It is also one of the newly built porches and the last porch in south-eastern side of the holy shrine. On the northern side of the porch the shoe-keeping place no:10 is situated. This place has the way to Imam Khomeini (R.A.) Courtyard through five courts and from the western side there is passage to Shaykh Baha'i porch. The porch is 16 meters long, 12 meters wide and 5.90 meters high. The floor upto 1.60 meters of its plinth is covered with marble stones. The walls and the roof have 600 square meters covering of mirrors, 45 square meters of stucco work and 550 square meters of mosaic and arched tiles. The roof is in the checkered style with decorated arches.
Dar al-Ibadah porch has been allocated for women pilgrims.

15. Allahverdikhan Dome:

It is one of the most beautiful buildings of the holy shrine in which exemplary form of architecture and mosaic tile work of the Safawid period are displayed. It is located on the eastern side of Tawheed Khana and northern side of Hatam Khani dome.
The dome is in octagonal form which differentiates it from various other buildings of the holy shrine which are mostly quadrangular or rectangular forms. There are seven passages in the dome. The height of the dome is 16.19 meters.There exist 8 terraces on every side of the dome and over these terraces, there exist smaller ones.
The intrinsic and intricate style of architecture and mosaic tile work of this building is one of the superb and excellent works of architecture during the Safavid era.
The plinth is covered whit marble stones and above the plinth is covered and decorated with exquisite mosaic tiles with suitable forms, scripts and colours. In some parts of the porch verses from the Holy Qur'an and traditions from the Holy Imams (A.S.) are inscribed. In the middle of the plinth of terrace on the southern side, epitaph of the grave of Allahverdikhan (one of the famous nobles of Shah Abbas, the Safavid ruler) is fixed.
Allahverdikhan is the founder of this porch and its constuction dates back to 1022 A.H./1613 A.D. This porch is exclusively for the women pilgrims.

16. Dar al-Ziyafah:

It is one of the four porches situatued on the eastern side of the holy shrine. It is situated between the angle of Inqilab and Azadi courtyards and it is one of the passages to the holy shrine.This Riwaq was constructed in 1301 A.H.
The porch is 15 meters long, 10 meters wide and 15 meters high. On four sides of the porch, four terraces are located which have distinguished arches. The terraces and the roof of the building are arched and decorated with fine mosaic tiles and have epigraphs in which the verses of the Holy Qur'an are inscribed.
In between the roof of Dar al-Ziyafah porch for the diffusion of light, an octagonal structure is arranged. On the plinth of all its sides fourteen powerful searchlights are placed in boxes made of tiles, which when put on gives great radiance and illumination to the building. The building is also decorated with exquisite mirrors. This Riwaq is exclusively for the prayers of the women pilgrims.

17. Dar al-Sharaf:

It is located in the north-western side and is one of the oldest buildings of the holy shrine.
The floor is covered by green marble stones and its plinth upto 1.67 meters is covered with white marble stones. Above the plinth there is a belt around the porch on which the verses from the chapter Mudassir of the Holy Qur'an are inscribed. The walls and the roof are decorated with beautiful and exquisite mirrors.This Riwaq has been classified into two sections,one section allocated for men pilgrims and the other for the women pilgrims for performing religious services.

18. Dar al-Ikhlas:

It is the smallest porch of the holy shrine and is located on the western side opposite to Bala Sar Mosque and between the Dar al-Siyadah, Dar -al-Sharaf and Dar al-Vilayah porches.
The porch is 12.80 meters long 10 meters wide and 9.50 meters high. This porch has four passages, two of them are connected to Dar al-Vilayah porch by wooden gates and other two passages have connection with Dar al-Sharaf porches. On the southern side there is a Mihrab and its northern side is famous as the place of golden chandelier.

19. Dar al-Vilayah:

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in February 1979, Astan Quds Razavi in order to create more facilities for the pilgrims had expanded and renovated the existing Riwaqs and had also constructed three new grand and beautiful porches in the holy shrine which are called as Dar al-Vilayah, Dar al-Hidayah and Dar al-Rahmah.
Dar al-Vilayah porch which was inaugurated recently is the largest porch in the holy shrine and is situated in the western side of the holy shrine. It occupies an area of 2700 square meters.
From the north it is connected to Inqilab Courtyard and part of Shaykh Toosi Bast also known as Upper Bast, from east it is connected to Dar al-Sharaf, Dar al-Ikhlas and Dar al-Siyadah porches, from south to Do- Dar and Parizad Madrasahs and finally to Shaykh Baha'i Bast and from west it is connected to Jumhuri Islami courtyard. Six shoe-keeping places with no's:1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 16 are located at the entrances of the porch.
The floor is covered with marbles and on it 15 carpets made out of marble stones with different designs are arranged. The building is completely concrete and its facade is made up of beautiful Islamic architecture. The pillars and columns within the building are used for air conditioning and illumination. The arched and vaulted roof is decorated with exquisite mirrors. This porch is used by the families.

20. Dar al-Hidayah:


This newly built porch is located between Do-Dar Madrasa and Jumhuri Islami Courtyard and situated in the south-western side of the holy shrine. Dar al-Hidayah is rectangular in shape and occupies an area of 837 square meters, and has ten passages and two shoe-keeping places.
On the southern side of the porch, a well decorated Mihrab is constructed. The architecture is based on traditional style and has big columns in the middle which resembles to the Shabistans (prayer halls) of Gowharshad Mosque. The interior of the porch is covered with intricate stucco work decorated with beautiful mirrors.
The roof of Dar al-Hidayah is also constructed in traditional architectural style and decorated in a very novel way.This Riwaq was inaugurated in 1992.

21. Dar al-Rahmah:

It is the twenty-first and the last porch of the holy shrine and is situated on the south of Dar al-Hidayah between Shaykh Baha'i Bast and Jumhuri Islami Courtyard.
This porch is also rectangular in shape and occupies an area of 520 square meters. It has two passages on the eastern side of the Jumhuri Islami Courtyard, on its northern side there is a shoe-keeping and drinking water place along with an entrance. The walls, columns and the roof are beautifully decorated.
At the opening of the middle of the porch the scene of evening of Ashura day and the names of Holy Panjtan (A.S.) are displayed in beautiful stucco work with highly intricate colourful painting.
At present, this porch is used as the place of teaching.This Riwaq was inaugurated in 1992.

Sahn(Courtyards) Around the Holy Shrine

After the twenty one Riwaqs there are seven Sahn (Courtyards) and four Bast (the Sanctuary) around the holy shrine which occupies a total area of 331578 square meters.
Sahn(courtyard)are the magnificent buildings within the holy shrine where the pilgrims perform religious services like congregational prayers,anniversary ceremonies of martyrdoms and birthdays of the Infallible Imams(A.S.).The courtyards are very magnificent and distinguished and known as the alive history of the crafts of their architects.Spectators, observing these historical art-works would dream of them done by expert the architects.

The seven Sahn (Courtyards) are as follows:

1.Sahn Inqilab (Revolution Courtyard)
2.Sahn Azadi (Freedom Courtyard)
3.Sahn Imam Khomeini (R.A.)
4.Sahn Gowharshad Mosque
5.Sahn Quds
6.Sahn Jumhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Courtyard)
7.Sahn Jameh Razavi (The Razavi Grand Courtyard)

The four Bast (the Sanctuary) are as follows:

1.Bast Shaykh Toosi (Upper Bast)
2.Bast Shaykh Tabarsi
3.Bast Shaykh Hur Ameli (Lower Bast)
4.Bast Shaykh Baha'i
The seven courtyards (Sahn) which occupy a total area of 331578 square meters are as follows:

1) Sahn Inqilab

(Revolution Courtyard): It is famous as "Sahn-i Atiq" or "Old Courtyard" and is located on the northern side of the holy shrine. It is one of the most beautiful and glorious complex of Astan Quds Razavi and has one of the finest displays of Islamic art. It is situated between the two sanctuaries known as Bast Shaykh Toosi and Bast Shaykh Hur Ameli. Before the reign of Shah Abbas I, the area of the courtyard was half of its present size.
It was built by Amir Ali Sher Nawaie, the famous literary figure who served as minister to the last Timurid king, Sultan Husain Bayqara (875-912 A.H./1470-1506 A.D.), who subsequently channelled the waters of the 'Gilas' spring to the holy city of Mashhad. The canal after passing through a street on the northern side of the shrine was directed towards a fountain in the middle of this courtyard, and upon filling it, flowed out towards the other side of the holy shrine in a southernly direction.
In the time of Shah Abbas I, the famous Safavid ruler, the courtyard was expanded along with the Ivans built by Amir Ali Sher Nawaie. Two more Ivans were added on the eastern and western sides by Shah Abbas I, who in addition to other works, laid out two streets called "Bala Khiyaban" (upper street) and "Payeen Khiyaban" (lower street), connecting the holy shrine to the eastern and western gates of the holy city. In the time of Shah Abbas II in 1059 A.H./1648 A.D., more tilework with inscriptions was added to the courtyard.
Between the years 1947-1951 A.D., the canal built by Ali Sher Nawaie was covered with concrete slabs because of the pollution on the streets.
The courtyard is rectangular in shape, with its length from east -to- west measuring 104.5 meters, and its width from north-to-south measuring 64 meters. Marble slabs in square, hexagonal and octagonal shapes have been used on the floor. It has a total of 48 chambers. Besides the golden Ivan (balcony) which leads to the shrine itself, there is a large brassy lattice window, known as" Panjareh Foolad", through which pilgrims can have a glimpse of the blessed tomb.It is a quarter for the pilgrims where the incurable sick persons are miraculously healed by Imam Reza(A.S.).
Southern side of the courtyard is connected by six shoe-keeping places to the following porches: Dar al-Vilayah, Dar al-Sharaf, Dar al-Shukr, Tawheed Khana, Allahverdikhan dome and Dar al-Ziyafah. The courtyard is also connected to the Basts of Shaykh Toosi, Shaykh Tabarsi and Shaykh Hur Ameli respectively.
The Inqilab Courtyard has four big Ivans which are located in a symmetrical form on the four cardinal points of the courtyard and 48 upper and lower chambers, and alongside of these, 12 high doorway-like terraces, have surrounded this courtyard.The lower chambers, are in fact the family tombs of the natives of the holy city of Mashhad or other pilgrims of the holy shrine.The four Ivans of this courtyard are among the most excellent works of architecture at the holy shrine

A. The Northern Balcony:

This is famous as the Ivan-i Abbasi and was built on the orders of Shah Abbas I. In 1059 A.H./1648 A.D., Shah Abbas II completed the decoration of the Ivan. The grave of Amir Ali Sher Nawaie is located in the corner of this Ivan.
The length of the Ivan-i Abbasi is 14.8 meters, its width 8.20 meters and its height is 22.5 meters. From the base up to the roof, beautiful tiles and vault-work adorn the Ivan, which has four chambers at the top. The Riwaq built by Shah Abbas II at the Ivan is covered with exquisite glazed tiles, beautifully inscribed in Thulth style by the famous calligrapher Muhammad Reza Imami.

B. The Southern Balcony:

The southern balcony of Sahn Inqilab is famous as Ivan-i Talaie. It was built by Amir Ali Sher Nawaie between 875-885 A.H./1470-1480 A.D. Its length is 10 meters, width 8 meters and its height is 26.25 meters.
It was repaired during the reign of Shah Tahmasb (930-986 A.H./1523-1576 A.D.). Nader Shah Afshar renovated the Ivan and covered it with golden tiles and thus it is famous as Ivan-i Talaie (the golden balcony).

C. The Western Balcony:

This balcony is famous as Ivan-i Sa'at or the Clock Tower Balcony and is adjoined to Bast Shaykh Toosi. On the top of the balcony a big clock was installed by Shah Abbas I. The mosaic tile-work on both the sides of this balcony was accomplished by the renowned calligrapher Ali Reza Abbasi with many inscriptions engraved on the walls of the gate. The ceiling of this balcony has preserved the attractive vault-work of the Safavid period.

D. The Eastern Balcony:

The eastern balcony of Sahn Inqilab is also known as Naqqar Khanah Balcony, because the section housing the kettle-drums (Naqqarah) is located on its top. It is one of the most beautiful Ivans of the holy shrine with its length measuring 18.2 meters, width 7.8 meters and height 26 meters. It was built by Shah Abbas I and was repaired in 1276 A.H./1861 A.D., during the reign of Naseruddin Shah Qajar.
The Ivan has a large crescent-shaped slab of marble on the upper part of its main door. It was installed by Shah Safi Safavi in 1044 A.H./ 1634 A.D, and the Hadith (traditions) from the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) in Thulth style and Persian poetry in Nastaliq style are engraved upon it. The glazed tiles on the Ivan are of triangular, pentagonal and hexagonal shapes.

NAQQAR KHANAH

Beating kettle-drums (Naqqarah) was customary in olden times upon the occurence of an important event or the attendance of people in royal courts.
In 860 A.H./ 1455 A.D., when Baisonqor, Shahrukh Mirza's son, the Timurid Sultan, came to Mashhad from Herat, kettle-drums were beaten to announce his presence in the holy shrine. He was visiting the holy shrine in order to find a cure for his illness which the physicians were unable to cure.
Baisonqor was miraculously healed in the holy shrine and the kettle-drums were beaten once again, and since then, this practice is performed everyday before sunrise and sunset (except the mourning periods). The kettle-drums are also beaten when any sick pilgrim gets miraculously healed at the holy shrine.

SAQQA KHANEH


In the school of Shi'ism,the concept or application of Saqqa Khaneh (the public place for drinking water) is more significant than merely serving water. The Shi'ites who endeavour to honour and commemorate the tragical event of Karbala and the martyrdom of His Holiness Imam Husain (A.S.) and that of his loyal companions, who were martyred after remaining thirsty for three complete days.
In the middle of the Sahn-i Inqilab the famous Saqqa Khaneh known as Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Talaie is situated. It was constructed during the reign of Nader Shah Afshar. The upper parts of its arches are covered with golden inscriptions, the work of an craftsman called Ismail. For this reason the Saqqa-Khaneh is also referred to as Saqqa Khaneh Ismail Talaie.
The Saqqa-Khaneh is hexagonal in shape and carved from a single-piece of marble. On the order of Nader Shah Afshar the marble was brought from Herat and was installed on the floor of the fountain.

The Tomb of Shaykh Hur Ameli:

In the north-eastern part of the Inqilab Courtyard is the tomb of the prominent Shi'ite scholar, Shaykh Hur Ameli. Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Husain Hur Ameli, the famous Shi'ite theologian and traditionist, whose genealogy traces back to Hur ibn Yazid al-Riyahi was born in 1033 A.H./1623 A.D., and expired in 1104 A.H./1692 A.D. Shaykh Hur Ameli compiled 22 books, the most famous is "Wasa'el ush-Shia", a great collection of Shia Ahadith. His tomb is located in the north-eastern part of the Inqilab Courtyard on the side of Madrasah Mirza Jafar. Shaykh Hur Ameli's tomb was renovated in 1984 A.D. by Astan Quds Razavi.

2. Sahn Azadi (Freedom Courtyard)

This courtyard was formerly known as Sahn-i Nou or New Courtyard. It is located east of the holy shrine at the foot of the blessed tomb (Paeen-e- Pa-e Mubarak-e Hazrat). It was built in 1223 A.H.,during the time of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, who ruled Iran from 1797 to 1834 A.D. Its length is 85 meters and its width 54 meters. It was modelled on the Safavid architectural style of Sahn-i Atiq or Inqilab Courtyard. From the western side of the courtyard there is entrance inside the shrine through shoe-keeping places no: 7,8 and 9. This courtyard from north is connected to Bast Shaykh Hur Ameli, from south to Sahn Imam Khomeini (R.A.), from east to the avenue around the circle and from west to Dar al-Ziyafah, Dar al-Sa'adah and Dar al-Suroor porches.Also, there is a large pool in the centre of the courtyard.
On the four sides of the court there are 56 arched chambers and pavilions in two floors, of which the ground floor serves as family burial vaults and the top floor as offices of the holy shrine's Administrative Department. The basement of the Azadi Courtyard is known as Behest-i Thamen al-Aimma (the Paradise of the Eighth Imam) and is used as a public cemetery. Mourning ceremonies, lectures, sermons, and funeral services are held in this courtyard.
The Azadi courtyard has the following four Ivans (balconies).

A) The Western Ivan:

It it also known as the Ivan-i Talaie Naseri (Naseruddin Shah's Golden Ivan), it leads into the holy shrine via Dar us-Sa'adah. In 1278 A.H./ 1861 A.D., this Ivan was covered with gold on the orders of Naseruddin Shah Qajar. Its length is 15.30 meters, width is 7.25 meters and height is 20.10 meters. The floor is covered with marble and the marble railing on its outskirts give it a beautiful appearance. On the base area of its walls coloured marble has been used in beautiful designs.

B) The Southern Ivan:

The length of this Ivan is 18.30 meters, its width is 7.30 meters and its height is 20 meters. In 1969 the Ivan was connected to the courtyard now known as Sahn Imam Khomeini (R.A.). Previously the Ivan had ordinary tiles, which were replaced by vaults and glazed tiles bearing inscriptions after renovation.There exist a large clock on the summit of this portal.It says time from all the four sides.Its tolling is very loud, so that in the past its nightly tintinabulation was heard all over the holy city.

C) The Northern Ivan:

This Ivan was built in 1295 A.H./1880 A.D., in the time of Naseruddin Shah Qajar, and it connects the Azadi Courtyard to the Shaykh Hur Ameli sanctuary. The length of this Ivan is 17.20 meters, its width 7.20 meters and its height is 20 meters.

D) The Eastern Ivan:

This Ivan is located opposite the Ivan-e Talaie Naseri, and is considerd to be very special to pilgrims because on entering it the holy burial chamber of Emam Reza (A.S.) comes directly into view.

3) Sahn Imam Khomeini (R.A.):

This court is located south-east of the holy shrine between the Gowharshad Mosque, the museum and the old library. From north it is connected to Dar al-Zuhd and Shaykh Baha'i porches and part of Sahn Azadi, from south to the Imam Reza (A.S.) avenue and Razavi Grand Courtyard and from west to the Gowharshad Mosque.
This court is one of the important places of entrance to the museum, old library,the Place of Protocol and Ceremonies and Dar al-Zuhd porch.The total area of this court is 8300 square meters and encloses many beautiful pavilions decorated with intrinsic and exquisite mosaic tiles, which is the artistic masterpiece of the recent years created after 1979 i-e after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
On the southern side of the court a building with a height of 6.50 meters had been recently built which houses a big Mihrab in the middle of the building beautifully decorated with mosaic tiles. On both sides of the Mihrab two decorated minarets of 7.50 meters height with a diameter of 1.40 meters are located. The two main entrances of this court are located in this building which also houses certain administrative offices.
In the middle of the court there is a beautiful octagonal water front built in three floors which covers an area of about 400 square meters.The water pool is in the form of an octagen and three-storeyed structure and have 48 faucets and foot-bathes to be used for performing ablutions.
Preaching, worshipping, celebrating the anniversary ceremonies of the Infallible Imams(A.S.),and mourning rites and rituals and the congregational prayers are held in this courtyard.For example, on the evening of every Thursday, the glorious invocation prayer of Kumayl is held in this courtyard attended by a large gathering.

4) Sahn Gowharshad Mosque:

The Gowharshad Mosque, situated in the southern part of the holy shrine is one of the beautiful and glorious mosques in the world. This mosque is situated between the Bast Shaykh Baha'i and Sahn Imam Khomeini (R.A.).
It was built in 821 A.H./1418 A.D., on the orders of Gowharshad Agha, wife of Shahrukh Mirza, the Timurid Sultan.
The Gowharshad Mosque enjoys a particular spiritual reputation among the Islamic mosques in the world.In addition to receiving many pilgrims of Imam Reza(A.S.) during the year, this mosque has been a centre of learning and teaching the Islamic Sciences since last six centuries.The high-ranking Ulama lecture Islamic Sciences in this mosque and in the Shabistans(prayer halls) of the mentioned mosque.
It occupies a total area of 9410 square meters and includes a grand (Sahn) courtyard, four Ivans (balconies) and eight large Shabistans (Prayer Halls). The walls and the Ivans of the mosque display the most beautiful specimens of Islamic art.

A) The Southern Ivan:

This Ivan is one of the biggest and highest in the holy shrine and it leads into the mosque. It is called Ivan-i Maqsurah and is rich in attractive vaults and beautiful tile-work. The height of the Ivan is 25.5 meters, its width 12 meters, and its length is 34 meters. The arch is flanked by two minarets each 43 meters high. The inscriptions in Thulth style are the works of Baisonqor Mirza, the son of Shahrukh Mirza, The Timurid King, who was also an accomplished calligrapher. On the tiles, in beautiful Thulth script, are the verses of the Holy Qur'an and the Asma al-Husna(the Beautiful Names of Allah), which is also considered as a masterpiece in the art of script writing and its beauty and intricacy astonishes the viewers. Later, the traditions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) and poetry were added by the famous Safavid calligrapher Muhammad Reza Emami in 1087 A.H.
Under the huge dome of the Ivan-i Maqsurah whose exterior is covered with green tiles, is an exquisitely carved wooden pulpit dedicated to the 12th Shi'ite Imam and is famous as the Minbar-i Sahib al-Zaman (A.S.), (May Allah Almighty hasten his reappearance). Ustad Muhammad Khurasani was the craftsman who built this fine specimen of Islamic art during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar in 1243 A.H. The Minbar is made out of walnut wood and no iron or nails have been used in this tall pulpit which has a latticed door on its entrance.

B) The Northern Ivan:

This Ivan leads into the holy shrine to its north through the Dar us-Siyadah Riwaq. On the upper part is a wooden window covered with silver. The inscription on the window shows that it was installed in 1087 A.H., during the time of Shah Sulaiman Safavi.

C) The Western and Eastern Ivans:

The Western Ivan connects the mosque to Shaykh Baha'i sanctuary while the Eastern Ivan connects it to the Imam Khomeini (R.A.) Courtyard.
There is a octagonal water pool in the centre of the courtyard of the mosque.
The Gowharshad Mosque Library:
The Gowharshad Mosque has a public library containing at present 40000 books. The library building was constructed in 1990 A.D. and is situated in the western side of the Bast Shaykh Baha'i and occupies an area of 1200 square meters. The new library building has a general reading room and a special section for the Holy Qur'an and its recitation.
The store of the library treasures 3000 rare manuscripts and 37000 valuable printed books in various Islamic sciences like the commentary on the Holy Qur'an, jurisprudence, traditions, history, astronomy and medicine.

5. Sahn Quds:

This newly constructed courtyard lies on the southern side of the Gowharshad Mosque between the Bast Shaykh Baha'i, part of Sahn Imam Khomeini (R.A.) and the Razavi Grand Courtyard (Sahn Jameh Razavi).It is the smallest courtyard of the holy shrine. Its total area is 4672 square meters, and it has 28 chambers encircling it each 6 meters high and one Ivan named as Ivan-i Qeblah which occupies an area of 150 square meters. The interior of the Ivan-i Qeblah is beautifully decorated by various floral designs and the exterior is covered with exquisite tiles.This Ivan resembles the Ivan-i Maqsureh of the Gowharshad Mosque. Underneath the courtyard is the cemetery. The courtyard was opened to the pilgrims in 1990 A.D.
In the middle of this courtyard there is a beautiful Sqqqa Khaneh (public drinking place) built in the shape of Masjid-i Aqsa, the first Qeblah (direction faced in the prayers) of the Muslims situated in Jerusalem. This Saqqa Khaneh exactly occupies 1/8 of the area of the Masjid-i Aqsa, for paying homage to Imam Reza(A.S.), the eighth Holy Imam of the Shi'ite Muslims.Modelling the Masjid-i Aqsa,this drinking water repositoty has been constructed to keep alive the memory of the "First Qeblah" of the Muslims, which is at present under the illegal occupation of the Zionist regime., The exterior of it features the architecture and mosaic tile work of Masjid-i Aqsa and its dome is completely made up of gold.

6. Sahn Jumhuri Islami:

The newly constructed Sahn Jumhuri Islami (The Islamic Republic Courtyard) is the second largest courtyard of the holy shrine and was built after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. It is located in the west of the holy shrine and occupies an area of 17500 square meters and resembles the Sahn-i Inqilab.
Four Ivans, symmetry of each other, have been constructed on four sides of the courtyard of which the Ivan-i Qeblah is the widest and largest one.These Ivans are constructed in traditional Islamic architecture.
The eastern and northern sides of the courtyard are connected to the grand Dar al-Vilayah porch by shoe-keeping places no:15 and 16.
From north it is connected to Bast Shaykh Toosi (Upper Bast), from east to Dar al-Vilayah, Dar al-Hidayah and Dar al-Rahmah porches and finally to Bast Shaykh Baha'i, from south and west to the Razavi Grand Courtyard. This courtyard has a golden Ivan and a grill window which connects to the Dar al-Vilayah porch and the shrine.Two golden minarets each 30 meters high are located in the northern and southern Ivans of the courtyard and this courtyard has 30 chambers and 46 stalls. The offices for Cultural Affairs and the International Relations are situated in the northern corner of this courtyard.
There is a rectangular shaped water pool in the centre of the courtyard. Opposite to the Golden Ivan of the courtyard there is beautiful Saqqa Khaneh (public drinking place). This beautiful building is octagonal with a golden dome and its exterior is covered with mosaic tiles. The water supply in this Saqqa Khaneh is through electronic system.
In the centre of the courtyard there is a sundial representing and saying the right time of noon prayer during the year.
The Sahn Jumhuri Islami is the place of gathering for mourning groups during the mourning ceremonies in the holy shrine.

7. Sahn Jameh Razavi:

The recently constructed grand courtyard in the holy shrine is called as Sahn Jameh Razavi. It is the largest courtyard of the holy shrine and occupies an area of 57000 square meters which includes its Shabistans and chambers.It is located in the Qeblah direction of the Gowharshad Mosque looking towards Imam Reza(A.S.) avenue. The large open area of this grand courtyard is for the performance of Friday prayers, daily congregational prayers, supplications and other religious gatherings.In this grand courtyard at a time more than one hundred thousand pilgrims can perform the congregational prayers. Underneath this grand courtyard there is large space for parking in which 3000 cars can be parked. Six towering minarets each with a height of 121 meters are under construction around this courtyard. These minarets after the completion of its construction will be the longest minarets in Iran and will be visible from any part of the holy city of Mashhad.
On the eastern and western sides of the Sahn Jameh Razavi, two supplementary courtyards, each with an area of 10000 square meters are under construction. After these two side courtyards on the eastern and western sides of the Sahn Jameh Razavi, two grand four floored buildings for performing ablution (wuzukhaneh) are under construction with an total area of 40000 square meters.

The Bast (Sanctuaries) Around the Holy Shrine: 

 

The space after the courtyards which leads to the avenues around the holy shrine is called as Bast. The Basts situated after the courtyards are the frontal limits for safeguarding the buildings of the holy shrine. It is also the shelter house for the pilgrims during any occurence of any accident. It is also the place where the pilgrims get ready to visit the holy shrine and thus the places for ablution (wuzukhaneh) are also situated in these Basts.
Four Basts are located in four different directions of the holy shrine and are named after four renowned and distinguished Shi'ite scholars.

1. Bast Shaykh Toosi (Upper Bast):

This Bast is situated on the west of the Inqilab courtyard and is 86 meters long and 30 meters wide. Eastern part of this Bast is connected to Sahn Inqilab and the western part leads to Shirazi Avenue.The entrance of the Central Library of the Astan Quds Razavi has been located in this sanctuary.The west side of the sanctuary leads to Shohada(martyrs) Square.

2. Bast Shaykh Tabarsi:

This Bast is located in the north of Inqilab courtyard between the buildings of the Central Library and the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences. It is connected from south to the Inqilab courtyard and from north to the Tabarsi Avenue. Its length is 86.50 meters and its width is 24 meters.

3. Bast Shaykh Hur Ameli (Lower Bast):

It is located on the south-eastern side of the Holy Shrine. From west it is connected to the Inqilab Courtyard and from east to Nawab Safavi Avenue (Payeen Khiyaban) and is 115 meters long and 29 meters wide. On the northern side of the Bast, the Astan Quds Razavi Inn(Mihman Sara) and the entrance to Razavi University of Islamic Sciences are located. On its southern side the telecommunication office, entrances to the Azadi courtyard and Imam Reza (A.S.) Hospital are situated.

4. Bast Shaykh Baha'i:

This Bast is located on the south-western side of the holy shrine and south of Dar -al-vilayah porch. From north of the Bast, there is the entrance of Dar -al-Vilayah porch, passages to the Do-Dar, Parizad and Balasar Madrasahs (Islamic Seminaries), Jumhuri Islami courtyard and Gowharshad Mosque. The rest house for the servants of the holy shrine and the illumination department of the holy shrine are located in this place. The southern side of the Bast leads to the Sahn Jameh Razavi.

Saqqah Khaneh


In the school of Shi'ism,the concept or application of "Saqqa Khaneh" (the public place for drinking water) is more significant than merely serving water. The Shi'ites who endeavour to honour and commemorate the tragical event on the Ashura day (Tenth Muharram, 61 Hijrah) in the plains of Karbala, Iraq in which His Holiness Imam Husain (A.S.). and his 72 loyal companions were martyred after remaining thirsty for three complete days.Thus during the last fourteen centuries,the Shi'ites had always built Saqqa Khaneh (the public place for drinking water) to commemorate and honour the martyrdom of His Holiness Imam Husain (A.S.) and his 72 loyal companions.
Thus, Saqqah Khaneh is also the special feature of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.). There are three beautiful buildings for the Saqqah Khaneh in the courtyards of the holy shrine and even on every nook and corner of the holy shrine there are public places for drinking water. The three famous Saqqa Khaneh of the holy shrine are as follows:

In the school of Shi'ism,the concept or application of "Saqqa Khaneh" (the public place for drinking water) is more significant than merely serving water. The Shi'ites who endeavour to honour and commemorate the tragical event on the Ashura day (Tenth Muharram, 61 Hijrah) in the plains of Karbala, Iraq in which His Holiness Imam Husain (A.S.). and his 72 loyal companions were martyred after remaining thirsty for three complete days.Thus during the last fourteen centuries,the Shi'ites had always built Saqqa Khaneh (the public place for drinking water) to commemorate and honour the martyrdom of His Holiness Imam Husain (A.S.) and his 72 loyal companions.
Thus, Saqqah Khaneh is also the special feature of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.). There are three beautiful buildings for the Saqqah Khaneh in the courtyards of the holy shrine and even on every nook and corner of the holy shrine there are public places for drinking water. The three famous Saqqa Khaneh of the holy shrine are as follows:

1) Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Tala'ie:

It is situated in the middle of the Sahn Inqilab and is famous as Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Tala'ie. It was constructed on the orders of Nader Shah Afshar. The upper parts of the arches of this drinking water repository are covered with golden inscriptions, the work of a craftsman named Ismail. Thus,for this reason the Saqqa Khaneh is famous as Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Tala'ie.
The Saqqa Khaneh is hexagonal in shape and carved from a single-piece of marble. On the orders of Nader Shah Afshar, the marble was brought from Herat and was installed on the floor of the fountain.

2) Saqqa Khaneh-i Quds:

There is a Saqqa Khaneh in the middle of the Sahn Quds,which was inaugurated in 1990. This Saqqa Khaneh is built in the shape of Masjid-i Aqsa, the first Qeblah (direction faced in the prayers) of the Muslims, situated in Jerusalem. This beautiful drinking water repository occupies 1/8 of the area of the original Masjid-i Aqsa in Jerusalem. The exterior of it features the architecture and mosaic tile work of Aqsa Mosque and its dome is completely made up of gold.

3) Saqqa Khaneh Sahn Jumhuri Islami:

Opposite to the Golden Ivan of the Sahn Jumhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Courtyard) there is a beautiful Saqqa Khaneh. This beautiful building is octagonal in shape with a golden dome and its exterior is covered with mosaic tiles. The water supply in this Saqqa Khaneh is through electronic system. The Islamic Republic Courtyard is the second largest courtyard of the holy shrine and was inaugurated in 1990.


Clocks and Clock Towers

The Western Ivan (balcony) of the Inqilab Courtyard is famous as Ivan-i Sa'at (the Clock Tower) and is adjoined to the Bast Shaykh Toosi. The clock atop was installed during the reign of Muzaffaruddin Shah Qajar in 1900 A.D. In the past times, when the holy city of Mashhad was a small city, the tolling of the mentioned clocks were heard by everybody. and were also known as public clocks in the holy city of Mashhad.It is mentioned that the holy shrine possessed clocks even during the Safavid period.At present there are two clocks in the Central Museum of the holy shrine,which dates back to the Safavid period. In 1966 A.D., however, the old mechanism of the clock atop the Western Ivan was replaced by a new electronic one. The old clock is now placed on the clock tower situated between the Azadi and Imam Khomeini (R.A.) Courtyards.
After the construction of the Islamic Republic Courtyard (Sahn Jumhuri Islami) a large stone sun-dial was installed in its center to indicate the noon prayer time.

The Islamic Seminaries At The Holy Shrine



1. Madrasa Bala Sar:

This Islamic seminary is located on the western part of the shrine. On its north are the Shabistans of the Gowharshad Mosque, on its east Dar-us-Siyadah, on its south is Dar al-Vilayah, and on its west it leads to the corridor of the Do-Dar Islamic Seminary.
According to the book, Matla-ush-Shams, it was built in 800 A.H., during the Timurid period. The grave of Mirza Abul Qasem Babur, the son of Baysunqor Mirza the son of Shahrukh Mirza, is under the dome located on the eastern side of this Islamic seminary.
The two-storeyed school has four Ivans. In the eastern Ivan an inscription in stucco in Thulth style, gives the date 1091 A.H., suggesting that the Islamic seminary was renovated during the reign of Shah Sulaiman Safavi. Inside the madrasa beautiful tile-work has been installed.

2- Madrasa Do-Dar:


Do-Dar Islamic Seminary is also located on the western part of the holy shrine. On its north is the Bast Shaykh Baha'i, on its east is the Madrasa-i Bala Sar, on its south is the Dar al-Vilayah Riwaq and on its west is the Islamic Republic Courtyard.
It was built in 843 A.H. during the reign of Shahrukh Mirza, on the orders of Amir Yousuf bin Amir Shaykh Ali bin Amir Timur, who was also known as Ghiyasuddin Yousuf Khaja Bahadur.
The school has two domes, underneath which poetic verses has been written on tiles in beautiful inscriptions. Under one of the domes is a grave, over which the Ayat al-Kursi (The Holy Quran 2:255) is engraved. The grave is believed to be that of the builder of the madrasa.
The school has some of the most beautiful and attractive tile-work and inscriptions. It has two floors and several chambers. It was renovated in 1088 A.H., on the orders of Shah Sulaiman Safavi.

3-Madrasa Parizad


When the Gowharshad Mosque was under the construction on the orders of Gowharshad Agha,the wife of the Timurid Sultan,Shahrukh Mirza, one of the maid-servants of Gowharshad Agha by name Parizad started the construction of a madrasa which is located north of the Bast Shaykh Baha'i and adjoined to Gowharshad Mosque.This Islamic seminary became famous as Madrasa Parizad.

4-Madrasa Nawab


During the reign of Shah Sulaiman Safavi, one of the nobles in Mashhad by the name Syed Abu Saleh Razavi constructed an Islamic seminary in the Bala Khiyaban adjoined to the holy shrine and became famous as "Madrasa Nawab". Beside this Islamic seminary there is a historical mosque known as Haj Mulla Hashem Mosque. Madrasa Nawab and the Haj Mulla Hashem Mosque has been renovated on a grand scale recently by the Astan Quds Razavi.

Pilgrim's Welfare Facilities

After the victory of the glorious Islamic Revoltuion in Iran, Astan Quds Razavi –under the efficient and successful management of Ayatullah Waiz Tabasi –the reverend chief custodian of Astan Quds Razavi,paid specific attention to the pilgrims' welfare and sevice affairs. By establishing the development project of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.) and "The Assitance Office of the Sacred Places and Ceremonies", Astan Quds Razavi, with a round-the-clock effort, began to provide a calm and desirable atmosphere filled with spirituality for different pilgrims from various parts of the world.
Development project of the Holy Shrine is responsible for preservation and repairment of present buildings as well as providing new spaces apt to perform pilgrimage and prayers. This organization is extending the Holy Shrine area with an extraordinary effort. "The Bureau of Pilgrims' Welfare and Services", pertaining to the deputy office of the sacred places in the Holy Shrine consists of lost property section and caretakers' section, each of which performs its duties devotedly to give services to the respectable pilgrims.
Those duties performed by service industry are as follows: offering pilgrims invitations to have meals at Mihmansara by calling on their places of residence, such as hotels, lodging houses or their homes; managing telephone connections inside or outside the Holy Shrine complex of Imam Reza(A.S.), changing or repariring the clocks, and making preparations for the dead's burials.The deposit and lost property section is responsible for taking care of the respectable pilgrims' gold and precious belongings till they return from their pilgrimage. This section also collects pilgrims' lost properties from all over the holy places and deliver them to their real owners.
The bureau of pilgrims' welfare and service, pertaining to the deputy office has another section for the pilgrims' outreach. It is called "Investigating Missing People's Affarirs" Which gives special services to all pilgrims from different classes. This section investigates the problems of missing boys, girls, men and women, and helps them to find their relatives. The International Relations Office also guides and receives over six thousand foreign pilgrims from different parts of the world each month. Still, the bureau in charge of the healed pilgrims follows the healed patients' affairs.Necassary health measures such as spraying disinfectants,personnel's vaccination, perfuming different places and… are the duties of Health Bureau.
Pilgrims' outreach bureau also helps the pilgrims in such issues as guiding the needy ones to return to their hometowns, paying their travel expenses, giving clothes to some pilgrims, introducing them to good lodging houses, delivering wheelchairs to old handicapped pilgrims and guiding them, so that they are taken to the Holy Shrine and sent back home by Astan Quds Razavi personnel and vehicles.
Those interested in getting more information about the role of Astan Quds Razavi Bureau of Pilgrims' welfare can call 2258001 in Mashhad.
The office of Khadamah (servants or attendants) is another section which offers considerable and valuable services generously, being provided by more than four thousand individuals including Darban (door keeper), Farrash (Carpet spreader) and Kafshdar (shoe keeper). This office is active all through the year without even a day off, trying hard for the pilgrims' welfare.
Disciplinary section, controlled by the deputy office of the sacred places of Astan Quds Razavi has employed faithful, devoted and efficient persons to provide safety inside and outside the Holy Shrine with great efforts.
With the assistance of four thousand individuals including Khadim (attendant), Darban (door keeper), Farrash (carpet spreader) and Kafshdar (shoe-keeper), Astan Quds Razavi offers it best guidance to respectable pilgrims of Imam Reza(A.S.) in Sarced places complex among which are the holy tomb chamber, porticos, courtyards, and sanctuaries. Moreover, there are several signs,maps and placards set up by Astan Quds Razavi at the entrances for the pilgrims.In this connection, the pilgrims are guided by attendants or personnels of this holy complex.
One of the most important centers to guide and to receive pilgrims is the International Relations Office. Furthermore this office guides and receives respectable foreign pilgrims with the aid of different interpreters and guidebooks.
Management of cultural offairs, assisted by special serving goups, also plays a remarkable role in this regard and guides the beloved devotees of Imam Reza(A.S.).
It is noticeable that General Office of the Public Relations Affairs also prints books and different pamphlets in different languages with large circulations all through the year to guide and direct pilgrims of the Holy Shrine. In addition, the General Office of the Public Relations Affairs provides direct connection between those in charge of the Holy Shrine complex and pilgrims of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.) or Mashhad residents through two radio programs: Nida–e–Haram (Voice of the Shrine) and Sida-e-Za'ir (Voice of the Pilgrim). The two programs give information to the pilgrims and answer their questions.
Giving services to the respectable pilgrims of the Eighth Ima in the Shi'te world, Imam Reza(A.S.) is the basis of the attempts and activities in the Holy Shrine. Therefore, after the victory of the glorious Islamic Revolution, Astan Quds Razavi have always tried to provide pilgrims' welfare and invest a great deal of capital to satisfy cultural needs and provide necessary spaces.
As satisfying cultural needs of pilgrims and residents is the essential aim in Astan Quds Razavi, this Holy complex have founded 18 grand cultural institutes around the holy shrine and elsewhere in Mashhad during last 23 years, which provide direct and indirect remarkable cultural services.
Furthermore, Astan Quds Razavi's great attempt has been to accomplish the grand project for constructing and developing the area around Holy Shrine of Im?m Rid?(A.S.). With round-the-clock effort of the authorities and devoted personnel, these places have been established or expanded greatly: several porticos, different courtyards, underpass for vehicles, various sanctuaries, several roundabouts, new buildings of Central Library and Archives Center, equipped sanitary facilities, Dar al-Shafa Imam (The Holy Shirne's Hospital), Mihmansara of Imam Reza(A.S.), museums and other social, health and welfare facilities… so that the present area of the Holy Places, compared with that of pre – Islamic Revolution, had 400 per cent increase and appropriate places such as RazavI Grand Courtyard with an area of 57 thousand square meters and a capacity of hundred thousand people have been put into operation. Moreover, eleven great projects were also accomplished recently, for the welfare and convenience of respectable pilgrims to enjoy a suitable atmosphere and a calm prayer.
It is worth noticing that Astan Quds Razavi began to equip and extend the tomb of Hadrat Hussein ibn Musa al-Kazim(A.S.) in Tabas and constructed two considerably equipped, eye-catching building units for residence and recreation in the south of Khurasan Province. It is helpful for pilgrims traveling along this route. Astan Quds Razavi also gives public services in other cities of Islamic Iran to people from all walks of life.
Moreover, many industrial companies and productive institutions of Astan Quds Razavi, such as Shahab Khudro Company, Quds Razavi Bread-baking factory, Razavi canned food and cold storage factory, sugar factories, Dairy company, Agricultural and Animal Husbandry complexes etc… produce the best and cheapest products to serve both the pilgrims of the Holy Shrine and the local residents.
Among some other welfare activities for the convenience of the respectable pilgrims, Astan Quds Razavi has established several health centers in the holy city of Mashhad, about thirty libraries, as well as consulting and research institutes, ready to assist pilgrims of Imam Reza(A.S.).
Furthermore, Astan Quds Razavi bookstores in the precincts Holy Shrine and other parts of the Holy city of Mashhad and Tehran can provide the pilgrims and others with their favourite books.

1) Imam Reza (A.S.) Hospital (Dar-al-Shifa)

Imam Reza (A.S.) Hospital known as Dar al-Shifa-e- Imam (A.S.) renders medical services to the pilgrims on non-profit basis. It is located on the southern side of the Bast Shaykh Hur Ameli (Lower Bast) and opposite to the Astan Quds Razavi Inn. This two floored hospital occupies an area of 22000 square meters and was inaugurated in 1981.Recently a new hospital has been inaugurated at the entrance of the holy shrine adjoined to Shaykh Toosi sanctuary at the Ayatullah Shirazi Avenue.
It offers day and night medical services to the pilgrims and is equipped with various medical departments like cardiology, internal medicine, E.N.T, pediatrics, dentistry, injection, ophthalmology and neurology. Every year nearly one million patients are treated in this hospital by highly qualified medical staff and the medicine is provided freely to the patients. It is also equipped with sophisticated laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, hygiene and nutrition departments.
On the southern side of the Imam Reza (A.S.) Hospital, a big pharmacy center is located which occupies an area of 1200 square meters. The pharmacy not only renders services to the general public but also provides medicine free of cost to the poor and the needy persons.
The Managing Director of the Medical Institution of Astan Quds Razavi said : " About 460 thousand of pilgrims , and Mashhad's citizens have benefitted from the medical , and medicinal services granted by the medical units of this institution , during seven months of year 2002" .
Doctor Mahdi Toofani said: " 105 thousand of people have benefitted from the wards of Children , Neurology , Cardiology , Dermatology , Orology , Pharyngology , E.N.T., Ophthalmology , Gynaecology , and Infectious Diseases in the Imam Reza (A.S) hospital.
.Furthermore, 112 thousand of people have also benefitted from the wards of Laboratory ,Radiology , Sonography , Dentistry , Medical Emergencies , Optometry , and Cardiography in the other medical units of this centre" .
He added : " In addition to these services ,more than 11 thousand of people have taken advantage of the facilities of the Radiography Centre incloding Radiology , Sonography , C.T Scan , Cephalography , and Mammography" .
Dr Toofani stated : " The greatest number of people have taken advantage of the ward of Sonography , and the least number have used the medical services of Cephalography Ward" .
He added : " Dentistry polyclinic , enjoying various wards including Medical Examination , Tooth Extraction , Root Canalthrapy, Reparative, Scaling , Oral Surgery and Radiography wards, have succeeded to grant medical services to about 9560 people" .
According to the report drew up by the General Office of Public Relations of Astan Quds Razavi , more than 230 thousand of people have taken advantage of the medicinal services of this Medical Centre . Some of these people have also obtained necessary drugs free of charge .

Astan Quds Razavi's Inn

The foreign and local pilgrims are served lunch at the Mihmansara(Inn) free of charge. To be the guest of Imam Reza (A.S.) at the Inn the "Foreign Pilgrims" should take their passports to the International Relations Office located in the Jumhuri Islami(Islamic Republic) Courtyard and obtain the necessary coupons.
The Holy Shrine's Mihmansara has always been considered greatly by respectable pilgrims, so that they all wish to have a meal there, as a blessing. Thus, each day, about five thousand pilgrims and attendants have their blessing meals in Mihmansara, as guests of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.). It is worth mentioning that invitation slips are mostly distributed among pilgrims through hotels, lodging houses and gathering places where pilgrims can directly get the slips.
Mihmansara with several hundred year background, serves pilgrims of Imam Reza(A.S.) according to the decision making of authorities using the related endowment income. Yet, it made considerable progress after the victory of glorious Islamic Revolution.
Special endowments have been allocated to this place to be spent totally in pilgrims' reception. All pilgrims and devotees of His Holiness who travel to the holy city of Mashhad are interested in having a meal at Mihmansara of Imam Reza(A.S.). Considering the yearly presence of over fifteen million people, however, as pilgrims from all over the Islamic world and the possibility of receiving just one and a half million guests at Mihmansara, not all pilgrims can benefit from the blessing meals. Therefore, Astan Quds Razavi is constructing a new Mihmansara in the development project of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.) in coming years to give much more services than before

Other Services:


Grand Exhibition:


At the entrance of the holy shrine, adjoined to the Bast Shaykh Toosi, the Grand Exhibition is situated which depicts all the activities of the Astan Quds Razavi.The Astan Quds Razavi after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 has established many industrial, agricultural, cultural, social and welfare organizations which carry out multi-dimentional and multifarious activities in various fields in order to generate further incomes and resources for the holy shrine. In this Grand Exhibition all the multifarious activities of the Astan Quds Razavi are explained to the viewers through films, slides and photos.

Book Stalls:

The Behnashr Company founded recently by the Astan Quds Razavi for printing and distributing books has established many book stalls at all the entrances of the holy shrine.

Confectioneries:

Astan Quds Razavi has established a best equipped bread producing factory in the Middle East which produces different types of breads and cakes. At the entrances of the holy shrine many confectionery shops are located which sell the various products of Razavi Bread and Confectionery Factory.

Diary Products Shops:

The milk products produced in the dairy farms and industries belonging to the Astan Quds Razavi are sold at various diary products shops located at the entrances of the holy shrine.

Underground Ring Road:

After the victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran, on 11th February 1979, sweeping and wide ranging changes were brought in administration, expansion and renovation of the holy shrine, under the able and dynamic custodianship of Ayatullah Abbas Waiz Tabasi, the reverend custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi.
During the last twenty one years due to the implementation of massive development and expansion projects like construction of grand new sahns(courtyards), riwaqs (porches) and various other complexes, the capacity and structures in the holy shrine had expanded four times. Thus, the expansion of the holy shrine during the last twenty one years is four times more than the total expansion of the holy shrine during its 1200 years old history.
Astan Quds Razavi during these two decades has spent till now one hundred billions Rials on these construction projects.It is worth mentioning that, Astan Quds Razavi in order to perform and accomplish all of these projects rapidly, has established some companies including the Wood Industries Company, the Traditional Tiles Manufacturing Company,Quds Granite Company and Machine-made Concrete Company.
One of the major accomplishments is the construction of the underground ring road around the holy shrine for the smooth flow and movement of the traffic. This underground ring road occupies 35000 square meters of total area with connecting passages to the Shirazi, Nawab Safavi, Tabarsi and Imam Reza (A.S.) Avenues around the holy shrine. The passages from underground ring road to the Shirazi, Nawab Safavi, Tabarsi and Imam Reza (A.S.) Avenues occupy another 11000 square meters of space. The underground ring road around the holy shrine is the longest underground ring road in Iran.

Customs


Custom of Dust Sweeping (Ghobar-Roobi)

The grand and magnificent custom of dust sweeping in the burial chamber of the holy shrine is performed with many graceful ceremonies. It is performed many times in the year on the eve of the religious festival days like Idd-ul-Fitr or the birthday occasions of the Holy Infallible Imams (A.S.).
Distinguished personalities of the country are given the great honour of sweeping the dust within and around the holy burial chamber, because the lovers of the Holy Ahlul Bayt(A.S.) consider this dust as sacred and collyrium for their eyes.
During the ceremony, first all the offerings of the pilgrims present in the Holy Zareeh are transferred to the treasury in special sealed bags. Then the holy grave and the burial chamber are washed with pure rose water. During this sacred and auspicious ceremony, the recitors(Qaris) of the Holy Qur'an,recite continuously the verses from the Holy Qur'an. The elegiac poetries recited in the praise of the Holy Infallible Imams (A.S.) manifolds the spiritual fragrance of the holy burial chamber.
The sublime and spiritual atmosphere spreading over the ceremony, sinks everybody into the divinity and splendour of the ceremony.
And finally, when the glorious rite is finished a precious gift comprising some sacred dust of the HolyZarih(burial chamber),and sacred candy,is granted by the Grand Reverend Custodianof the Holy Shrine to the invited,orderly standing throughout the holy rite's performance.

Customary Recitation of the Sermons

The rite which is performed exclusively in the Astan Quds Razavi is the custom of recitation of the special sermons on the night of Ashura (the 10th day of Moharram, the day of martyrdom of Imam Husain (A.S.)) and the night of the day of martyrdom of Imam Reza (A.S.).
The reverend custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi invites distinguished personalities to attend this rite.
The invitees along with the attendants of the holy shrine gather in the Dar al-Ziyafah porch. The orator delivers the sermon from the top of the pulpit and narrates the tragical events which occured on that day in history.
After the completion of this sermon and narration of tragical events, the reverend custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, along with all the distinguished guests and the attendants of the holy shrine with burning candles in their hands enter the Inqilab Courtyard and stand in well-organized and systematic row.
At this moment the attendants move slowly on all the sides of the court while reciting in sad and sorrowful voices, the mournful songs and elegiac poetries in praise of the Holy Imams (A.S.).
After the completion of the recitation of the mournful songs and elegiac poetries, the orator delivers the special sermon from the top of a place especially arranged for this occasion.
The sermon includes praise of Allah Almighty, eulogies, blessings and salutations for the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.), and the Holy Imams (A.S.) particularly Imam of the Age, the Twelfth Imam, Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.).
(Allah Almighty may hasten his glad advent and reappearance).