Shrine of the Cloak, Sacred mosque in Kandahar, Afghanistan
The site is a mosque in Kandahar that houses a religious garment inside a silver container. The chamber holding the relic is decorated with marble and gold ornamentation.
Ahmad Shah Durrani brought the garment from Kabul to Kandahar in 1768 and founded this mosque as a permanent place of safekeeping. In the following centuries, the building was restored and expanded several times.
The founder of the Durrani Empire built the shrine after receiving the garment as a diplomatic gift from Bukhara. Believers regard this place as a spiritual center that protects the city and the entire region.
The shrine is open to visitors daily, but the actual chamber holding the garment remains closed during almost all visits. Anyone wishing to see the site should focus on the prayer hall and inner courtyards.
The relic has been publicly displayed only twice in recent history, both times during periods of great political upheaval. Anyone entering the shrine can see the richly decorated door of the chamber, which remains visible from the main courtyard.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
