Thousand Lights Mosque

One of the biggest mosques in the nation, Thousand Lights is a multi-domed building located in Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is much respected by the Shia community residing in the city and serves as their azadari.

By 1810, Arcot Nawab Umdat ul-Umara had constructed the mosque. Building style used throughout construction was mediaeval. A former assembly hall stood where the mosque now stands. The assembly hall would traditionally be lit with a thousand oil lights. So, this tradition is where the mosque gets its name.

The position has been held continuously by the same family, and the chief Shia Qazi of Chennai operates out of the mosque.