We planned a walk to the only Shia masjid of Bangalore Masjid-e-Askari on 17th of March 2019.
Covering ourselves with colourful Dupattas, we entered the 110 years old Masjid which was built with the founding principles “to bring people together in the spirit of brotherhood and unity” . Masjid-e-Askari is a tribute to Persian trader Aga Ali Asker, the brain behind many architecturally-rich heritage structures in Bengaluru, who had left a princely sum of Rupees 800 for this purpose.
 |
| Prayer hall in the Mosque |
The prayer room is in the central complex and is a large , barren, carpeted area.
On the side is the structure which houses the library and a replica of "Mecca" . As we walked in the interiors we made with beautifully cut and placed glass pieces of different shapes to form geometric patterns. The walls and ceilings were colourfully designed to give us a mesmerizing effect of Muslim architecture.
 |
| The entrance to the library |
Children tried to replicate the geometric patterned art of work on the cloth using, colour papers cut in to small bits. The kids had a great time and a lot of their impressions can be seen in the artwork they have put up !!
 |
| Interiors of the floors above the library |
Our Exhibit is on the 31st of March and then on the 6th and 7th of April. Do join us, we start in the park.
Please do reach out to Tanya ( 98451 31025) or Cauvery (99720 45903) to join us for the displays !!
Amanda speaks
This mosque is named for Aga Ali Asker, an important and successful 19th-century Persian horse trader. Aga Ali Asker came from Shiraz with a consignment of horses and settled in Bangalore in 1824. He eventually bought large tracts of land in various parts of Bangalore Cantonment. He stabled his horses in Richmond Town and, according to Mr. Shyama Rao, had up to 700 horses. He died in 1891 and bequeathed Rs. 800 and an area of his property for the construction of this Persian style mosque for Bangalore's Shia community.
The mosque was built by his sons and completed in 1909. It was renovated in the 1930s by Aga Ali Asker's grandson, Sir Mirza Ismail, the dewan of Mysuru. The mosque was recently expanded with the addition of a building clad in dark marble which houses a library that is open to the public. It is the center of the Shia community in Bangalore and hosts the Muharram programs every year. Muharram is a period of mourning commemorating the Martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson and his family.
The mosque was built by his sons and completed in 1909. It was renovated in the 1930s by Aga Ali Asker's grandson, Sir Mirza Ismail, the dewan of Mysuru. The mosque was recently expanded with the addition of a building clad in dark marble which houses a library that is open to the public. It is the center of the Shia community in Bangalore and hosts the Muharram programs every year. Muharram is a period of mourning commemorating the Martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson and his family.
No comments:
Post a Comment