Imam Reza shrine

Imam Reza shrine is regarded as one of the most important religious centers of Shiites. Around 20 million pilgrims per year visit the Imam Reza Shrine.

Imam Reza shrine is the burial place of Ali al-Ridha, also called Abu al-Hasan, Ali al-Reza or in Iran as Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shiite Imam. This shrine is located in the center of Mashhad in the Khorasan Razavi province and considered as a sacred place for Shiites. The Imam Reza shrine is the central and most prominent tourist attraction of Mashhad, where around 20 million pilgrims per year visit there. This massive complex is one of the hubs of religious tourism in Iran. There are tens of valuable architectural heritages around the central holy shrine which are all with governmental and cultural significance. In general, the Imam Reza shrine is one of the historical monuments of Iran that has always attracted the attention of kings and government officials for many centuries.

Imam Reza's biography at a glance

Imam Reza (AS) is of descendants of Muhammad, the holy prophet of Islam, appreciated by the Shias of the whole world. Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS), the seventh Imam of the Shiites was the father of Imam Reza (AS) and his mother's name was Najmeh. He was born in the city of Medina in the 766 AD and moved to Thus in Iran after the order of Al-Ma'mun (The Caliph of Baghdad). Imam Reza (AS) became Imam at the age of 33 and spent his lifespan in Medina. This period coincided with the cruel Abbasid rulers. During this time he suffered many hardships from these rulers. The beginning of the Imamate of Imam Reza (AS) coincided with the caliphate of Al-Ma'mun, who chose the city of Merv as the center of his caliphate. Many Shiites and Muslims, which they called Alavids, seized the opportunity and rebelled against the Abbasid caliph. Al-Ma'mun decided to defuse this situation by insisting Imam Reza (AS) to accompany the caliphate and give his government a legitimate look. Therefore, the Caliph of Baghdad forced the Imam to obey him by death threat. After a while, Al-Ma'mun didn't tolerate Imam Reza and martyred him by eating poison in 819 AD.

Imam Reza (AS) Shrine

The Imam Reza shrine is the biggest mosque in the world and the second-largest mosque in terms of capacity. This massive complex contains the mausoleum of Imam Reza, many Sahn's (courtyard in Islamic architecture) and museum. 

The tomb of Imam Reza (AS) is located under a gilded dome, known as Qubba. It's the first built structure in this complex as well. This dome in terms of height and structure is exceptional. It is a double-shelled dome with the fine Muqarnas beneath. There is a 13-meter space between the two shells. The total height of this dome from the ground level to the top of this dome is about 31 meters. The exquisite octagonal tiles known as Sanjari tiles, from the Seljuq era are used on this structure.

In total, there are nine courtyards in Imam Reza shrine, each of which has its appearance and atmosphere. In the following, you will find more about the most notable Sahn of Imam Reza shrine (AS).

Sahne Atiq (Islamic Revolution Courtyard)

It is the first, oldest and most magnificent Sahn of Imam Reza shrine, built during the reign of Sultan Husayn Bayqara in 875 AH, located on the north side of the shrine. There are four famous Arches or Iwan in Sahne Atiq. Abbasi Arch is located in the north, Golden Arch in the south, Naqqareh Arch in the east, and the Clock Arch in the west of this courtyard. The Naqqareh Khaneh building is located in the Naqqareh Arch, which the Naqareh (Kind of musical instrument) is played above this arch. These arches, like other parts of this shrine, are built with the most well-made materials and magnificent decorative elements such as tiles, mirror decorations, gilded dome, stone-works, plaster-works, etc. 

The grave of Sheikh Hurr Ameli, Tomb of Sheikh Nokhodaki and the Allameh Hosseini Tehrani Tomb are located at this courtyard. Esmaeel Tala Saqqa Khane (water house) is located at the center of the Sahn-e Atiq. It has a golden dome and other elements of this complex are used in the design of this Saqqa Khane. It is used as a place of ablution as well.

On the south side of this courtyard, there is a steel window. It is an imposing lattice wall that used to view the sacred mausoleum of Imam Reza (AS).

Sahne No (Azadi Courtyard)

Shane No is one of the most beautiful courtyards of Imam Reza shrine, located in the eastern part of this holy shrine. This courtyard was built on Fath-Ali Shah Qajar's order in 1233 AH. Its gilding work was done by the order of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar in 1282 AH. This courtyard is surrounded by Golden Arch in the west, Bab al-Hikmah Iwan in the north, Clock Iwan in the south and Bab al-Salam Iwan in the east.

Sahne Jomhoury Eslami (Islamic Republic Courtyard)

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, this courtyard was built on the west side of Imam Reza holy shrine in 1989. There is a beautiful octagonal Saqqa Khane (water house) located in the middle of this courtyard. There is a sundial that displays the religious noon in all seasons. Like other courtyards, it is composed of four Iwans.

Qods Courtyard

Qods courtyard was built after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, located in the southern part of the holy shrine and next to the historic mosque of Goharshad Mosque. In the middle of this courtyard, there is a beautiful Jerusalem-shaped Saqqa Khane, made of gold. Qods courtyard is the smallest courtyard in this complex with an area of 2510 square meters.

• How to get Mashhad?

  • Intercity Bus: It is the cheapest intermittent locomotion to travel Mashhad. Buses run to Mashhad from most other Iranian cities. The distance between Tehran to Mashhad is about 895 kilometers. It is about a 14-hour bus ride from Tehran. Mashhad bus tickets can be purchased from all Tehran terminals. The bus fare for the ordinary buses is around 575,000 IRR and for VIP buses, is 970,000 IRR. It is better to get first-class buses on your trip to Mashhad.

We can book bus tickets for all of Iran's cities as well. For asking bus ticket, click on the link below.

Request your Bus ticket

• Tehran to Mashhad Train: Traveling to Mashhad by train takes about 10-11 hours and costs between 500,000 IRR and 1,287,000 IRR. The Tehran-Mashhad trains have world-class facilities at a reasonable price, which are an ideal choice.
   
• Tehran to Mashhad Flight

• Where to stay in Mashhad?

  Mashhad has hundreds of hotels due to it is a religious hub of the country and hosts millions of pilgrims annually. There are more than a dozen hotels within a one-kilometer radius of Imam Reza shrine to stay. If you would like to stay away from the crowds around the shrine, we suggest staying at Pardisan Hotel.

• The dress code for the Imam Reza shrine:

  As this shrine is the holy place for Muslims, you need to dress for this place especially. Men aren't allowed to enter this shrine with shorts. Women must wear Chader (Islamic outer garment for women), which is fully covered them up. So that only hands and faces are visible. They will give you a Chador on the way in if you don’t have it already.

• What is the best time to go?

  The best time to travel to Mashhad is spring, as this city has a pleasant climate. Mashhad has hot weather during summers, and it is the high season. Imam Reza's birthday, Ramadan, Anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Reza, and Mourning days of Muharram are also the best times to visit Imam Reza shrine.

• Getting there:
  
  The access routes to the Imam Raza shrine:
   
  • Western Route: Shirazi Avenue > Sheykh Toosi Sanctuary
    
    From Shirazi Avenue, you will reach Sheykh Toosi Sanctuary. From there, you can get the shrine through the Islamic Republic Courtyard or the Sahne Atiq (Islamic Revolution Courtyard).
     
    • Sub way: To reach this route, you can use the Shohada Subway Station in Shohada Square. You can reach the shrine by taxi or via the buses on the west side of this square.
      
       
  • Northern Route: Tabarsi Boulevard > Sheykh Tabarsi Sanctuary
    
    It is very easy to reach the shrine by this route and has many fans. On this route, you will reach the Sheykh Tabarsi Sanctuary via Tabarsi Boulevard. After entering the Sahne Atiq (Islamic Revolution Courtyard), you will get the shrine.
     
    • Sub way: To reach this route, you can use the Shahid Mofateh Subway Station in Tabarsi Boulevard.
      
       
  • Eastern Route: Navvab Safavi Avenue > Navvab Safavi Sanctuary > Sheykh Hurr Ameli Sanctuary
    
    From this route, you will enter Sheykh Hurr Ameli Sanctuary. There are two passes from there as follows:
     
    1. Enter the Azadi Courtyard and reach the Imam Reza shrine.
        
    2. Continue the way to the Naqqareh Khaneh and enter the Sahne Atiq (Islamic Revolution Courtyard) and then, reach the Shrine.
       
       You can also visit the Tomb of Pir Palandouz on the way to the Navvab Safavi Sanctuary.
        
    3. Sub way: To reach this route, you can use the 17-Shahrivar Subway Station in Vahdat Street.
       
        
  • Southern Route: Imam Reza Avenue or Andarzgoo Street > Navvab Safavi Sanctuary
    
    On this route, you will enter the Jame Razavi Courtyard after crossing the Bab Ol-Reza Entrance through Imam Reza Street or the Bab Ol-Jawad Entrance through Shahid Andarzgou Street. From there you can reach the shrine through the Qods Courtyard or Sheikh Bahaie Sanctuary.
     
    • Sub way: To reach this route, you can use the Basij Subway Station on the west side of Basij Square.