INDEX
-Geography and demographics
-City significance & history 
-Famous people from Mashhad
-Current religious situation
-Culture
-Attractions
-Colleges and universities
-Transportation
-Shopping
-Tips
-Extras
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Geography and demographics
The city is located at 36.20º latitude and 59.35º east longitude, in the valley of the Kashaf River near Turkmenistan; it is between of Binalood and Hezar-masjed.
Due to its proximity with the mountains, Mashhad has a wonderful weather. It has very cold winters, pleasant springs, mild summers, and beautiful autumns. It is only 1290 km (800 miles) from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Greater Mashhad is composed of four municipalities:
1) City of Mashhad
2) Municipality of Torghabeh.
3) Municipality of Razaviyeh.
4) Municipality of Ahmadabad.
Greater Mashhad also included the municipalities of Chenaran, Fariman and Kalat-e-Naderi, but they were promoted to Shahrestan, a major administrative center of an Iranian province.
Mashhad has a population of almost 2 million whose population consists mainly of people of Iranian descent. There are also over 20 million pilgrims who visit the city every year.
City significance & history
Mashhad is located 850 kilometers North East of Tehran and has population of over 2 million. The name means “the burial place of a martyr”. Back in the 9th century A.D., Imam Reza was poisoned and martyred in the city. He was the eighth Imam (head spiritual leader) of Shi’ite Islam. His holy position made his tomb a sacred place for pilgrims to worship. Millions of people pay pilgrimage to the holy shrine, undoubtedly the largest and most magnificent of its kind, every year. There are plenty of priceless objects and unique manuscripts in the shrine's library.
Before he died, the city was known as Sanabad, a small village in the north of Persia. After his death, pilgrims came and ended up staying in Mashhad. The village grew into a small city because of his shrine. Sunni Muslim forces sacked the city, followed by the Mongols in the 13th century. The shrine was badly damaged and, after time, rebuilt.
In the 16th century, three Safavid Dynasty rulers established Shi'ite Islam for the whole territory. The shrine was restored and enlarged. These rulers made pilgrimages to the site and since then it has become the most holy Shi'ite pilgrimage in Iran.
In the year 823 A.D., after the martyrdom of Imam Reza (Muslim Shi'a 8th Imam, Saint) in a place around Toos named "Sanabad" which was called MASHHAD-e-Reza (place of martyrdom), the main nucleus of today MASHHAD appeared. Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi built a mausoleum opposite to the Shrine and in 13th century AD., due to destruction of Toos city by Mongols, MASHHAD developed and so many people migrated to this city.
At the first, the Toos area was the residence of non-Aryan tribes and some parts of it was conquered by Arabs in the period of Caliph Osman and was annexed to Islam territory in the time of Caliph Omar.
Toos was amongst the first cities which was subject to destructive Mongol onslaught and. like other cities of Khorasan, was completely ruined.
Toos, due to its specific and sensitive conditions, in the period of Teymoorian and Ilkhanan, was passed on from hand to hand between different governors and people were massacred. Finally, in 1438 AD. Shahrokh, the son of Amir Taymoor, took the throne as monarch. After his reign on, Toos had been paid special attention causing its expansion and development. Since second half of 15th century A.D. this city was commemorated as suburb of MASHAD. There have been remained some ruins of old Toos, but new Toos Due to existence of the tomb of "Ferdowsi" the great Iranian poet, has its own reputation and importance. However, today MASHAD has unbreakable tie with the history of the old Toos and annually hosts hundreds of thousand of pilgrims and visitors.
Mashhad is located 850 kilometers North East of Tehran and has population of over 2 million. The name means “the burial place of a martyr”. Back in the 9th century A.D., Imam Reza was poisoned and martyred in the city. He was the eighth Imam (head spiritual leader) of Shi’ite Islam. His holy position made his tomb a sacred place for pilgrims to worship. Millions of people pay pilgrimage to the holy shrine, undoubtedly the largest and most magnificent of its kind, every year. There are plenty of priceless objects and unique manuscripts in the shrine's library.
Before he died, the city was known as Sanabad, a small village in the north of Persia. After his death, pilgrims came and ended up staying in Mashhad. The village grew into a small city because of his shrine. Sunni Muslim forces sacked the city, followed by the Mongols in the 13th century. The shrine was badly damaged and, after time, rebuilt.
In the 16th century, three Safavid Dynasty rulers established Shi'ite Islam for the whole territory. The shrine was restored and enlarged. These rulers made pilgrimages to the site and since then it has become the most holy Shi'ite pilgrimage in Iran.
In the year 823 A.D., after the martyrdom of Imam Reza (Muslim Shi'a 8th Imam, Saint) in a place around Toos named "Sanabad" which was called MASHHAD-e-Reza (place of martyrdom), the main nucleus of today MASHHAD appeared. Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi built a mausoleum opposite to the Shrine and in 13th century AD., due to destruction of Toos city by Mongols, MASHHAD developed and so many people migrated to this city.
At the first, the Toos area was the residence of non-Aryan tribes and some parts of it was conquered by Arabs in the period of Caliph Osman and was annexed to Islam territory in the time of Caliph Omar.
Toos was amongst the first cities which was subject to destructive Mongol onslaught and. like other cities of Khorasan, was completely ruined.
Toos, due to its specific and sensitive conditions, in the period of Teymoorian and Ilkhanan, was passed on from hand to hand between different governors and people were massacred. Finally, in 1438 AD. Shahrokh, the son of Amir Taymoor, took the throne as monarch. After his reign on, Toos had been paid special attention causing its expansion and development. Since second half of 15th century A.D. this city was commemorated as suburb of MASHAD. There have been remained some ruins of old Toos, but new Toos Due to existence of the tomb of "Ferdowsi" the great Iranian poet, has its own reputation and importance. However, today MASHAD has unbreakable tie with the history of the old Toos and annually hosts hundreds of thousand of pilgrims and visitors.
Current religious situation
Today the holy shrine and its museum hold one of the most extensive cultural and artistic treasuries of Iran, in particular manuscript books and paintings. Several important theological schools are associated with the shrine of the Eighth Imam.
As a city of great religious significance, it is also a place of pilgrimage. It is said that the rich go to Mecca but the poor journey to Mashhad. Thus, even as those who complete the pilgrimage to Mecca receive the title of Haji, those who make the pilgrimage to Mashhad – and especially to the Imam Reza shrine – are known as Mashtee, a term employed also of its inhabitants. It is thought that over 20 million Muslims a year make the pilgrimage to Mashhad.
Today the holy shrine and its museum hold one of the most extensive cultural and artistic treasuries of Iran, in particular manuscript books and paintings. Several important theological schools are associated with the shrine of the Eighth Imam.
As a city of great religious significance, it is also a place of pilgrimage. It is said that the rich go to Mecca but the poor journey to Mashhad. Thus, even as those who complete the pilgrimage to Mecca receive the title of Haji, those who make the pilgrimage to Mashhad – and especially to the Imam Reza shrine – are known as Mashtee, a term employed also of its inhabitants. It is thought that over 20 million Muslims a year make the pilgrimage to Mashhad.
Culture
Long a center of secular as well as of religious learning, Mashhad has been a center for the arts and for the sciences. The large Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, named after the great Iranian poet, is located here. The Madrassa of Ayatollah Al-Khoei, originally built in the seventeenth century and recently replaced with modern facilities, is the city’s foremost traditional centre for religious learning. The Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, founded in 1984, stands at the centre of town, within the shrine complex. The prestige of traditional religious education at Mashhad attracts students, known as talaban, internationally.
Mashhad is also home to one of the oldest libraries of the Middle-East called the Central Library of Astan-e Quds Razavi with a history of over six centuries. The Astan-e Quds Razavi Museum, which is part of the Astan-e Quds Razavi Complex, is home to over 70,000 rare manuscripts from various historical eras. There are some six million historical documents in the foundation’s central library.
In 1569 (977 H), `Imad al-Din Mas`ud Shirazi, a physician at the Mashhad hospital, wrote the earliest Islamic treatise on syphilis, one influenced by European medical thought.Kashmar rug is a type of Persian rug indigenous to this region.
Long a center of secular as well as of religious learning, Mashhad has been a center for the arts and for the sciences. The large Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, named after the great Iranian poet, is located here. The Madrassa of Ayatollah Al-Khoei, originally built in the seventeenth century and recently replaced with modern facilities, is the city’s foremost traditional centre for religious learning. The Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, founded in 1984, stands at the centre of town, within the shrine complex. The prestige of traditional religious education at Mashhad attracts students, known as talaban, internationally.
Mashhad is also home to one of the oldest libraries of the Middle-East called the Central Library of Astan-e Quds Razavi with a history of over six centuries. The Astan-e Quds Razavi Museum, which is part of the Astan-e Quds Razavi Complex, is home to over 70,000 rare manuscripts from various historical eras. There are some six million historical documents in the foundation’s central library.
In 1569 (977 H), `Imad al-Din Mas`ud Shirazi, a physician at the Mashhad hospital, wrote the earliest Islamic treatise on syphilis, one influenced by European medical thought.Kashmar rug is a type of Persian rug indigenous to this region.
Attractions
The second largest holy city in the world, Mashhad attracts more than 20 million tourists and pilgrims every single year, many of whom come to pay homage to the tomb of Imam Reza. It has been a magnet for travellers since medieval times, when the famous world traveller Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta visited the town.
The magnificent holy shrine of Imam Reza [1*] and the historical and artistic complex attached to it including the courtyards, porticos and porches, the Goharshad Mosque (of Timurid period) as well as its rich museum and library are the most significant sights to be seen by any visitor and pilgrim.
Apart from a number of beautiful large parks and the tombs of historical celebrities in nearby Tus and Neyshabour, the tomb of Nadir Shah and Kooh Sangi park and mellat park that have modern attractions for children such as the 3rd biggest Ferris wheel or fanfar (چرخ و فلک) in the world and Koohestan park e shadi complex that includes a zoo, where many wild animals are kept and which attracts many visitors to Mashhad. It is also home to the Mashhad Airbase (formerly Imam Reza airbase), jointly a military installation housing Mirage aircraft, and a civilian international airport.
Some points of interest lie outside the city: the tomb of Khajeh Morad, along the road to Tehran; the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located 6 kilometers north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi; and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt, a distance of 20 kilometers from Mashhad along the road to Neishabur. (The three were all disciples of Imam Reza).
Among the other sights are the tomb of the great poet Ferdowsi in Tus, 24 kilometers distance, and the summer resorts at Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlamad, Zoshk, and Shandiz.
The Shah Public Bath, built during the Safavid era in 1648, is an outstanding example of the architecture of that period. It was recently restored, and is to be turned into a museum.
BASTS (Places of Refuge)
Basts were places of refuge from the tyranny of dictators and provided the best refuge for the people under persecution. In Astane-Qods-Razavi there exist two large yards on each side of Sahne Enqelab (Revolution Court) namely Baste Payeen Khiaban (Lower Bast) and Baste Bala Khiaban (Upper Bast). Today Basts are used as two entrances to Imam Al-Ridha's Holy Shrine. In recent years two new Basts have been built namely Baste Sheikh Bahai (between Gowharshad Mosque and Sahne Jamburi Islami) and Baste Tabarsi (between the Islamic University and the new building of Astane-Qods Library).
Other attractions:
o Sahne Enqelab
o Minarets
o Nqqareh Khaneh (Place of Kettle Drums)
o Saqqa Khaneh (Public Drinking Place)
o Sa'at (the Clock)
o Sahne Jamhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Court)
o Sahn Qods
o Sahne Imam Khomeini
o Sahne Azadi
o Gowharshad Mosque
o Imam Ridha [a]'s Tomb
o Dar-al Hoffaz (the place of the Reciters)
o Towhid Khaneh (place of Divine Unity)
o Dar-al-Siyadah
o Bala-Sar Mosque
o Dar-al Rahmah Porch
o Allahverdikhan Dome
o Hatam Khani Dome
o The Golden Dome
The second largest holy city in the world, Mashhad attracts more than 20 million tourists and pilgrims every single year, many of whom come to pay homage to the tomb of Imam Reza. It has been a magnet for travellers since medieval times, when the famous world traveller Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta visited the town.
The magnificent holy shrine of Imam Reza [1*] and the historical and artistic complex attached to it including the courtyards, porticos and porches, the Goharshad Mosque (of Timurid period) as well as its rich museum and library are the most significant sights to be seen by any visitor and pilgrim.
Apart from a number of beautiful large parks and the tombs of historical celebrities in nearby Tus and Neyshabour, the tomb of Nadir Shah and Kooh Sangi park and mellat park that have modern attractions for children such as the 3rd biggest Ferris wheel or fanfar (چرخ و فلک) in the world and Koohestan park e shadi complex that includes a zoo, where many wild animals are kept and which attracts many visitors to Mashhad. It is also home to the Mashhad Airbase (formerly Imam Reza airbase), jointly a military installation housing Mirage aircraft, and a civilian international airport.
Some points of interest lie outside the city: the tomb of Khajeh Morad, along the road to Tehran; the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located 6 kilometers north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi; and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt, a distance of 20 kilometers from Mashhad along the road to Neishabur. (The three were all disciples of Imam Reza).
Among the other sights are the tomb of the great poet Ferdowsi in Tus, 24 kilometers distance, and the summer resorts at Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlamad, Zoshk, and Shandiz.
The Shah Public Bath, built during the Safavid era in 1648, is an outstanding example of the architecture of that period. It was recently restored, and is to be turned into a museum.
BASTS (Places of Refuge)
Basts were places of refuge from the tyranny of dictators and provided the best refuge for the people under persecution. In Astane-Qods-Razavi there exist two large yards on each side of Sahne Enqelab (Revolution Court) namely Baste Payeen Khiaban (Lower Bast) and Baste Bala Khiaban (Upper Bast). Today Basts are used as two entrances to Imam Al-Ridha's Holy Shrine. In recent years two new Basts have been built namely Baste Sheikh Bahai (between Gowharshad Mosque and Sahne Jamburi Islami) and Baste Tabarsi (between the Islamic University and the new building of Astane-Qods Library).
Other attractions:
o Sahne Enqelab
o Minarets
o Nqqareh Khaneh (Place of Kettle Drums)
o Saqqa Khaneh (Public Drinking Place)
o Sa'at (the Clock)
o Sahne Jamhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Court)
o Sahn Qods
o Sahne Imam Khomeini
o Sahne Azadi
o Gowharshad Mosque
o Imam Ridha [a]'s Tomb
o Dar-al Hoffaz (the place of the Reciters)
o Towhid Khaneh (place of Divine Unity)
o Dar-al-Siyadah
o Bala-Sar Mosque
o Dar-al Rahmah Porch
o Allahverdikhan Dome
o Hatam Khani Dome
o The Golden Dome
Colleges and universities
· Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM)
· Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
· Islamic Azad University of Mashhad
· Payame Noor University of Mashhad
· Comprehensive University of Applied and Practical Sciences, Khorasan
· Imam Reza (P.B.U.H.) University
· Razavi University of Islamic Sciences
· Sadjad Institute of Higher Education
· Khayyam Institute of Higher EducationSamen Institute of Higher Education
· Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM)
· Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
· Islamic Azad University of Mashhad
· Payame Noor University of Mashhad
· Comprehensive University of Applied and Practical Sciences, Khorasan
· Imam Reza (P.B.U.H.) University
· Razavi University of Islamic Sciences
· Sadjad Institute of Higher Education
· Khayyam Institute of Higher EducationSamen Institute of Higher Education
Transportation
Mashhad is a tourist city with many hotels of various categories as well as a great number of guesthouses for the pilgrims who come to this city from the other parts of the country everyday by tens of flights, trains and buses.
Airport
Iran's holiest city is served by the Mashhad International Airport which handles domestic flights to Iranian cities and international flights to mostly Asia.
Metro
The Mashhad Urban Railway Corporation (MURCO) is constructing a metro system for the city of Mashhad. It is planned to be finished by 2008.
Rail
Mashhad is connected via rail to three major rail terminals: Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Almaty. Rail services are operated by Raja Trains.
Mashhad is a tourist city with many hotels of various categories as well as a great number of guesthouses for the pilgrims who come to this city from the other parts of the country everyday by tens of flights, trains and buses.
AirportIran's holiest city is served by the Mashhad International Airport which handles domestic flights to Iranian cities and international flights to mostly Asia.
Metro
The Mashhad Urban Railway Corporation (MURCO) is constructing a metro system for the city of Mashhad. It is planned to be finished by 2008.
Rail
Mashhad is connected via rail to three major rail terminals: Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Almaty. Rail services are operated by Raja Trains.
Shopping
The major shopping precincts are:
Almas-e-Shargh Shopping Center
Zist-e-Khavar Shopping Center
Proma Shopping Center
Jennat Street Mall
International Bazaar Shopping Complex
Bazaar Reza
Bazaar Markazi
Mashhad and especially Nishapur are famous for high quality turquoise. Saffron which is used for natural flavoring and coloring of food is also the best souvenir from Mashhad.
Mashhad is an important center of the carpet weaving industry, it is known for producing some of the best wool in Iran. Their carpets and rugs are mostly curvilinea
r with the single central medallion and corner floral design, and very busy curvilinear floral motifs in the background. They are usually bright and cleverly colored, therefore literally giving life to any dull room. Their color schemes are usually tones of dark red, blue, or khaki. Mashhad carpets are very well made and they will last a very long time, as would any other Persian rug. Mashhad rugs and carpets have different size and majority of them are large size (10 x 18 feet).
Some Tips
There are many things to see in Mashhad and its surroundings. There are plenty of Hotels and Motels to stay and more shopping centers and Bazaars than you can cover.
If you want to visit Mashhad during religious holidays make sure you make your hotel reservation ahead of time. Mashhad is also very busy during summer due to its cool weather. Following is a list of Travel agencies in Mashhad and Tehran which can help you with your reservations.
Don't forget to visit the Shrine, Kuh Sanghi, Torghabeh, and Shandiz...
For your travel & reservation needs you may contact; Mashhad: (Telephone area code: 98-51) Keyhan Ghasht:
· Summer tours, daily tours, Hotel reservations and more
· Daneshgah Street #16, Bldg 999, Suite 401, Tel: 95944, 93784, 91799, 42857 (Mashhad)
Adibiyan Travel Agency - Jam Street (Call operator for their phone number)Tehran: (98-21) Iran Negar: Tel: 8836491, 8830103, 8834223 Tondis Travel Agency: 8713811, 8723711, 8723712
There are many things to see in Mashhad and its surroundings. There are plenty of Hotels and Motels to stay and more shopping centers and Bazaars than you can cover.
If you want to visit Mashhad during religious holidays make sure you make your hotel reservation ahead of time. Mashhad is also very busy during summer due to its cool weather. Following is a list of Travel agencies in Mashhad and Tehran which can help you with your reservations.
Don't forget to visit the Shrine, Kuh Sanghi, Torghabeh, and Shandiz...
For your travel & reservation needs you may contact; Mashhad: (Telephone area code: 98-51) Keyhan Ghasht:
· Summer tours, daily tours, Hotel reservations and more
· Daneshgah Street #16, Bldg 999, Suite 401, Tel: 95944, 93784, 91799, 42857 (Mashhad)
Adibiyan Travel Agency - Jam Street (Call operator for their phone number)Tehran: (98-21) Iran Negar: Tel: 8836491, 8830103, 8834223 Tondis Travel Agency: 8713811, 8723711, 8723712
EXTRAS
What is a M
ash Tee? Mash tee is the title one receives when he/she visits Mashhad or The Imam Reza's shrine. Mash tee is also used as a sign of respect and acknowledgement of one's religious devotion. Mash tee is an alternative title to Haji, which is bestowed on a Moslem after visiting and attending to Moslem pilgrimage in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Mash tee is also a title (rather a generic one) to anybody from Mashhad. Mash tee is actually a slang for Mashhadi (one from Mashhad).
[1*] History of Imam Reza's SHRINE...
Hamza ibne Qahtabah, the Abbasid army commander who had led the war against the Ommayids was appointed by Mansur and Al-Mahdi, the Abbasid caliphs as the Governor of Khorasan. He made a big garden between Noughan and Sanadan and erected a palace which stood up to the beginning of the 4th century AH. Haroon, who had come to Tus to suppress the Khorasan rebellion, became ill and resided in the garden during his ailment. But he died in 193 H. And was buried inside the palace. Upon his tomb a shrine was built.
In 203 AH, Imam Al-Ridha, peace be upon him, was poisoned by Mamoun, the son of Haroon and Imam was buried alongside with Haroon. Since the martyrdom of Imam, his holy shrine became a place of pilgrimage for the world's Shias and the city spread so far as Noughan and Sanabad were annexed to it to become Mashhad Al-Ridha, shortened over time to Mashhad.
The holy shrine was ruined by Saboktakin, a Ghaznavi king. But his son, Sultan Mahmud ordered the shrine to be repaired and expanded in 428 AH. During the invasion of Changis and his son, Tooly, the holy shrine was ruined again. Sultan Mohamed Khoda-Banda, a Shiite king of Moghol dynasty, who reigned from 703 to 716 AH, had the holy shrine rebuilt. Since the time of Safavids, Afshars and Qajars to date many of the Astane-Qods buildings have been expanded.
What is a M
ash Tee? Mash tee is the title one receives when he/she visits Mashhad or The Imam Reza's shrine. Mash tee is also used as a sign of respect and acknowledgement of one's religious devotion. Mash tee is an alternative title to Haji, which is bestowed on a Moslem after visiting and attending to Moslem pilgrimage in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Mash tee is also a title (rather a generic one) to anybody from Mashhad. Mash tee is actually a slang for Mashhadi (one from Mashhad).[1*] History of Imam Reza's SHRINE...
Hamza ibne Qahtabah, the Abbasid army commander who had led the war against the Ommayids was appointed by Mansur and Al-Mahdi, the Abbasid caliphs as the Governor of Khorasan. He made a big garden between Noughan and Sanadan and erected a palace which stood up to the beginning of the 4th century AH. Haroon, who had come to Tus to suppress the Khorasan rebellion, became ill and resided in the garden during his ailment. But he died in 193 H. And was buried inside the palace. Upon his tomb a shrine was built.
In 203 AH, Imam Al-Ridha, peace be upon him, was poisoned by Mamoun, the son of Haroon and Imam was buried alongside with Haroon. Since the martyrdom of Imam, his holy shrine became a place of pilgrimage for the world's Shias and the city spread so far as Noughan and Sanabad were annexed to it to become Mashhad Al-Ridha, shortened over time to Mashhad.The holy shrine was ruined by Saboktakin, a Ghaznavi king. But his son, Sultan Mahmud ordered the shrine to be repaired and expanded in 428 AH. During the invasion of Changis and his son, Tooly, the holy shrine was ruined again. Sultan Mohamed Khoda-Banda, a Shiite king of Moghol dynasty, who reigned from 703 to 716 AH, had the holy shrine rebuilt. Since the time of Safavids, Afshars and Qajars to date many of the Astane-Qods buildings have been expanded.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
