Loading...Hussaini Dalan, a Shiite place of worship and a historic site in Old Dhaka, is over 300 years old. This structure is a symbol of Mughal-era heritage. It is believed that the first building of Hussaini Dalan was constructed during the reign of Shah Suja in the 17th century by a man named Syed Murad. Over time, during various reigns, the building underwent several repairs and expansions. In 2011, a significant restoration of Hussaini Dalan took place, initiated by the Iranian government.
The Iranian government provided both financial and technical assistance for the restoration, with Iranian architects and artisans contributing to the work. As a result, the external appearance and aesthetics of Iranian religious structures were reflected in the restoration. Before the renovation, the interior of the building had been decorated with multicolored glass designs, but this was changed to blue tiles with various Quranic verses and calligraphy. Similarly, blue tiles with Quranic verses were placed on the eastern gate and the square pillars on the northern side. These tiles were imported from Iran and feature Iranian religious art and calligraphy, a style commonly seen in many Iranian religious buildings.
The Hussaini Dalan is built on a raised platform, accessible via a staircase on the eastern side. The main structure consists of two hallrooms placed side by side. The southern-facing ‘Shirni’ hall is painted black to express grief and mourning for the death of Hussain. On the northern side, there is a khutba hall with a wooden mimbar consisting of seven steps. In the last hall, various religious symbols are displayed. On both sides of the southern front, there are two three-story polygonal towers, and on top of these towers, there are domes.
The parapet of the building features a colorful lotus-petal design, and on the four corners of the building, there are four small domes. Overall, the building might appear modern at first glance, but there are traces of ancient architectural elements throughout the structure.
During the first 10 days of Muharram, Hussaini Dalan becomes one of the major attractions in Dhaka. The Muslim community gathers here to mourn, chanting “Hai Hussain, Hai Hussain.” On Ashura (the 10th of Muharram), a massive Tazia procession starts from here, moving through the main streets and symbolically ending at a place named Karbala on the western edge of the city.
Visitors do not need to buy tickets to enter the Imam Bada Hussaini Dalan. It is open to the public every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
How to Reach:
From one of Dhaka’s main entry points, Saydabad, or from the central Gulistan area, you can take a rickshaw to reach Hussaini Dalan or Imam Bada in the Chankharpul area.
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