The Shrine of Hazrat Ali, Mazar-e-Sharif is known as the final resting place of the Caliph Ali bin Abi Talib who is one of the legendary figures in the history of Afghanistan. A number of interesting theories suggest that the caliph’s body was first kept in a tomb that was built secretly near “Balkh”. A mullah who happened to visit the site discovered this tomb and later it was Sanjar, the mighty Seljuk Sultan who ordered to erect a shrine on the present site. It is believed that the previous Shrine of Hazrat Ali, Mazar-e-Sharif was destroyed by the Mongols.
Husain Baiqara who is known as mighty Timurid Sultan ordered the reconstruction of the present shrine in 1480. It took one year to complete the shrine and today the Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Mazar-e-Sharif is considered as one of the most important tourist attractions in Mazar-e-Sharif. The shrine is considered to be a sacred place for people of the Shia community who visit this place in thousands every year. The busiest time of the year is during New Year or Neuroz. Apart from the religious significance the shrine is a living specimen of architectural brilliance.
Rectangular-shaped this shrine stretches to fifty-three meters and the alignment of the structure is in the northwest-southeast direction. The original structure of the Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Mazar-e-Sharif is still found in the southwest direction of the site. According to sketch that was drawn by Niedermayer plans were made for a smaller site. Later it is known that these structures faced the wrath of human invasion and what was left of the glorious structure now serves as gates to the main structure of Hazrat Ali, Mazar-e-Sharif. The gate at the northwest section is taller than the rest and one can see a number of minarets near the gate. There are a couple of archways and shallow arches near this gate.
Once you have decided on visiting all the important places during sightseeing in Mazar-e-Sharif you will have to include the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, Mazar-e-Sharif in your list. The portion that was built by the Timurid leader contains a core chamber which has the tomb of Ali. As you enter the main chamber you will find a central dome and a number of polygonal bays which spread in the southeast and northwest direction. The plan is like the cruciform structure in the middle is surrounded by domes which are not only taller but have the diameter of more that 15 meters.
Apart from the central tomb one can find a number of other tombs which are said to belong to the Afghan rulers. Tombs of rulers like Amir Sher Ali and Amir Dost Muhammad adorn the southwest façade of the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, Mazar-e-Sharif. The exterior of the structure is covered with a number of blue-colored tiles and all these gave been either replaced in the time of renovation. There is a fine treasury in the tomb which includes the famous marble slab depicting the words “Ali, Lion of God”.
Online information about Shrine of Hazrat Ali, Mazar-e-Sharif is available in travel.mapsofworld
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