Thousand Lights Mosque

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Thousand Lights Mosque is one of the most important mosques of Chennai city. It is considered a pilgrimage for Shiite Muslims.

In 1810 CE, a Nawab named Umdat-Ul-Umrah built it. (For those who are not familiar with Indian history, the Urdu word "Nawab" refers to the governor appointed by Mughal emperors.) 

Before 1810, the site was used by Shiite Muslims to gather and worship in the month of Muharram. Later the assembly hall was built and also the mosque. It is believed that around one thousand oil lamps were used to lit the assembly hall, and hence the mosque was named as Thousands Lights (Ayiram Vilakku in Tamil). However, there is another belief, according to which the Indian National Congress provided the lights to mark their first visit to the city of Madras.

With multiple domes and minarets, the architecture looks excellent. The walls are adorned with the quotes from Quran, the holy book of Muslims. 

This mosque is such a famous landmark that the entire locality is referred to as Thousand Lights. 

Happy travelling.





Location: Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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