Hussaini Dalan, Shia Islamic shrine in Bakshibazar, Bangladesh
Hussaini Dalan is a Shia shrine featuring two parallel halls with octagonal domed towers at its southern face and ornate blue calligraphy covering the exterior walls. The complex also includes a cemetery and a rectangular water tank serving the worshippers.
Built in 1642 under Mughal rule by Syed Mir Murad, the shrine became a major center for Shia devotion in the region. Major reconstruction took place following the 1897 earthquake, funded by the prominent businessman Khwaja Ahsanullah.
The two main halls reflect Shia practice through their distinct purposes: one with dark walls serves mourning rituals while the other holds gatherings led from a wooden pulpit. Visitors can observe how the physical layout shapes religious observances.
The complex is accessible daily and organized with separate spaces for prayer, burial, and ritual needs including a water tank. Visitors should dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the prayer halls.
A silver replica of the shrine is housed in the Bangladesh National Museum, preserving fine architectural details from its original design. This rare artifact offers insight into historical craftsmanship and the site's lasting religious importance.
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