13°3′18″N 80°15′18″E / 13.05500°N 80.25500°E
| Thousand Lights | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Location | |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Nawab Umdat ul umrah |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Medieval |
| Completed | 1810[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1000 persons |
| Dome(s) | 5 |
| Minaret(s) | 2 |
| Website | |
| princeofarcot.org | |
Thousand Lights is a multi-domed mosque in Anna Salai in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the largest mosques in the country and is a revered place of worship and azadari for Shia Muslims in the city.[2]
History
The mosque was built in 1810 by Arcot Nawab Umdat ul-Umara.[1][3] It was constructed in medieval architecture.[1] The site of the mosque was previously occupied by an assembly hall. There was a tradition of lighting thousand oil lamps to illuminate the assembly hall. The mosque thus gets its name from this tradition.[4]
The chief Shia Qazi of Chennai functions from the mosque, and the post has been continuously held by the same family.[3]: 128
