Thousand Lights Mosque, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India

Thousand Lights Mosque, a multi-domed mosque in Anna Salai in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the largest mosques in the country and is a revered place of worship for Muslims. It was built by Nawab Umdat-ul-Umrah in 1810. Thousand Lights Mosque is a common mosque for all Muslims. It is also a primary holy place for Shias. The 10th of Moharram is the most important day where Shias mourn for Imam Hussain and participate in Matam in mosques. Thousand Lights Mosque is home of Chief Shia Ghazi Moulana Ghulam Mahadi Khan of Tamil Nadu and a Shia burial ground is inside.

The Shias who live in the Thousand Lights neighborhood and Royapettah are the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt ("the People of the House"). Individuals among his descendants, who are known as infallible Imāms, have special spiritual and political authority over the community and they acquired this authority since God gave it to them just the same way God chose Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and other prophets, Imams such as the offspring of Abraham and from amongst the children of Israel as well as kings, such as King Saul. Shia Muslims further believe that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the first of the Twelve Imams and was the rightful successor to Muhammad and thus reject the legitimacy of the first three caliphs.

The grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad, Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn Ibn Ali are agreed upon by all Muslims to be the "leaders of all youths in Paradise." Shias also believe that these sons of Imam Ali were the true leaders and caliphs of the Muslims. Shias regard Ali as the second most important figure after Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad suggested on various occasions during his lifetime that Ali should be the leader of Muslims after his demise. According to this view, Ali as the successor of Muhammad not only ruled over the community in justice, but also interpreted the Shariah Law and its esoteric meaning. Hence he was regarded as being free from error and sin (infallible), and appointed by God by divine decree (Nass) to be the first Imam.

Ali is known as "perfect man" (al-insan al-kamil) similar to Muhammad according to Shia viewpoint. As a result, Shias favor Hadiths attributed to Muhammad and Imāms, and credited to the Prophet's family and close associates, in contrast to the Sunni traditions where the Sunnah is largely narrated by the Prophet Muhammad's companions, whom Sunnis hold to all be trustworthy. Thus the Qurʻān and Hadith interpretation and differences in Hadith narrators are the main distinction of the Shias.

Thousand Lights Mosque ChennaiThe Thousand Lights Mosque, a multi-domed mosque, located in Anna Salai in Chennai, is one of the largest mosques in the country and a revered place of worship for Muslims. It was built by Nawab Umdat-ul-Umrah in 1810. There is an interesting story behind the name of the mosque. It is said that 1000 lamps needed to be lit in order to illuminate the assembly hall. From this, it derived its name, Thousands Lights Mosque. However, there are others, who are of the belief that the lights were provided by the Indian National Congress to mark their first visit to the city of Madras. The mosque is a medieval architectural style building.

It has an exhilarating structure, with multi domes and spearing minarets. The average height of the minarets is around 64 feet above the ground. Another mosque was added in 1981, with two tall minarets and five inward curving domes showing modern West Asian influence. Besides, the mosque is adorned with the quotes from the holy book of Muslims, the Quran. There is a main hall at the ground floor that is used to offer prayers by men, while there is a separate room for women. There are two rooms on the second floor which are known as Bargah and represent the sanctuary. The Thousand Lights Mosque holds great importance for the Shiite Muslims and is a pilgrimage site for them.

The mosque is popular for a number of reasons, such as its name, its architecture and its historical and religious importance. In early 19th century, the place where the mosque presently stands used to be the assembly place of the Shiite Muslims, during the month of Muharram. Later, the assembly hall was built, following which the mosque was constructed. It is believed that the Shias who live in the Thousand Lights neighbourhood and Royapettah are the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt ("the People of the House"). The total area of the land, which was donated by Nawab Wallajah, occupied by the Thousand Lights Mosque is 3 acres. The descendent of the Wallajah faily made the hall in 1810, the family owned much of the property in the area for the Shia Muslims to assemble at Moharram.

The Thousand Lights Mosque lies close to the Anna flyover on the Anna Salai Road in Chennai.

     In the beginning of 19th century the place where the popular mosque stands used to be the assembling place of Shias, a sect of Muslims, in the month of Moharram. The Arcot family built an assembly hall in the year 1810 A.D. and eventually a mosque in the year 1820. The mosque is built over three acres of land that were donated by Nawab Wallajah.

The place derived its name after the illumination of about 1000 oil lamps. However, contradictory evidences have been put by many who believe that the lights were provided by the Indian National Congress at the annual session to mark its first visit to the city. The mosque has been renovated many times after its construction.

Today, the Thousand Lights Mosque is a common mosque for all Muslims, a primary holy place for Shias. Moharram is the most important day for them when Shias mourn for Imam Hussain and participate in Matam in mosques. It is a great scene during the annual Moharram festival. The old mosque is quiet impressive from the inside and very different from the grandeur of the new mosque. The mosque is also a home of Chief Shia Ghazi Moulana Ghulam Mahadi Khan of Tamil Nadu and a Shia burial ground is inside.