Shah Najaf Husayniyya

Shah Najaf Husayniyya
General Information
Founder	Ghazi-ud-Din Haydar from Awadh dynasty.
Established	1816 CE
Type	Husayniyya
Location	Lucknow, India
Specifications
Status	Active
Architecture
Style	Indian, Iranian

Shāh Najaf Ḥusaynīyya (in Urdu: Shah Najaf Imambarga) is a religious and cultural monument of the Shia community in Lucknow, India. This Husayniyya was built by the first king of the Awadh dynasty, Ghazi-ud-Din Haydar, in 1814 AD, in memory of Imam Ali (a), resembling the shrine of Imam Ali (a).

Since its establishment, mourning ceremonies for Imam al-Husayn (a) have been held there, and on the day of Tasu'a, the procession of Lucknow's religious groups concludends at this site.

History

The Shah Najaf Husayniyya is located alongside the banks of the Gomti River in the center of Lucknow. This Husayniyya was established by the first king of the Awadh dynasty, Ghazi-ud-Din Haydar, in 1814 AD.^[1] Ghazi-ud-Din Haydar established this Husayniyya in memory of Imam Ali (a) and modeled it after the shrine of Imam Ali (a).^[2] Every year, the procession of Lucknow's religious groups culminates at Shah Najaf Husayniyya on the 9th of Muharram. This Husayniyya is considered one of India’s historical landmarks.^[3] In the central courtyard of the Husayniyya, a shrine resembling that of Imam Ali (a) is located, along with a flag and several letters attributed to Imam Ali (a) and Imam Sadiq (a).^[4] It has been said that in the past, the underprivileged who could not afford to visit Imam Ali (a) would go to this Husayniyya and pay their respects.^[5]

Architecture

Shah Najaf Husayniyya was built to resemble the shrine of Imam Ali (a), which is why the phrase "Resembling the shrine of Imam Ali (a)" is inscribed on one of the doors.^[6] Beneath the dome of the Husayniyya are the graves of its founder, Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, and his two wives.^[7]