Chini Mosque, Saidpur

sohanurrahman (77)modin Story On Steem • 8 days ago (edited)

^{As-Salamu Alaykum (Peace Be Upon You)}

About 20 kilometers away from our town, there is a historic mosque located in Saidpur. The architectural beauty of this mosque has always fascinated us. Today, let me share some details about this remarkable mosque.


^{Beautiful left entrance of the mosque}

Mosque Name, Location, and How to Get There

Today I am going to talk about a mosque named “Chini Mosque.” It is a heritage mosque situated in Saidpur Upazila of Nilphamari district.

To witness this unique example of Islamic architecture, you need to visit Saidpur. The Chini Mosque is located only about 700 meters from Saidpur Railway Station.


^{The small minarets located above the left gate of the Chini Mosque and the beautiful decorative craftsmanship on them}

If you walk from the station, it will take around 10 minutes. You can also take an auto-rickshaw, which usually costs around 10 taka. From the bus terminal, the mosque is approximately 4 kilometers away. In that case, you need to take an auto first to Saidpur 1 No. Rail Ghunti, and then another auto to reach the mosque. The total fare is usually around 30–40 BDT.

Mosque Structure, Environment, and Facilities

Although the mosque was originally built in 1863, it has undergone several renovations over time and has taken its current form through various infrastructural developments. I have visited this mosque multiple times, and every time its structure and architectural style left a strong impression on me.


^{Full view of the Chini Mosque}


^{Main gate of the mosque. It is bigger than other gates}

The mosque clearly reflects Mughal architectural influence, along with a beautiful blend of Arab, Ottoman, and Persian styles. What I liked most was the shiny, glass-like appearance of the walls. This unique look comes from the use of broken pieces of porcelain plates and glass, which makes the mosque truly distinctive.


^{The construction date is 1863. There is a donation box under the name of the mosque and the year}


^{Anothe entrance of the mosque}

The mosque has 27 minarets, and each minaret is topped with a light. The shape and design of the minarets are very elegant. Access to the rooftop is restricted, which is understandable, as allowing open access could risk damage to the mosque’s structure.


^{Mosaic entrance of the mosque. It was an impressive design on the entrance}


^{A close up of the entrance}

The wall designs of the mosque are unique and unlike those of any other mosque in Bangladesh that I have seen. The outer gates share a similar design, while the inner gates have a different pattern. The windows are also beautifully decorated, adding to the overall charm.


^{Ablution area of the mosque}


^{An image of the mosque's numerous minarets}

Inside the mosque, all modern facilities are available, including proper lighting and fans. On the left side of the mosque, there is a modern ablution room, where many people can perform wudu at the same time.


^{The Arabic calligraphy above the entrance features the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest) and a prayer: "Oh Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me".}


^{An ornate archway and doorway of the Chini Mosque. The green Arabic text on the archway translates to the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada: "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."}

During winter, warm water is available for ablution. The toilet facilities are also clean and well-maintained. Overall, the mosque offers a comfortable and well-organized environment for worshippers.

Personal Experience

Chini Mosque is truly one of the historical landmarks of Saidpur. The moment you start observing its stunning architecture and intricate wall designs, time seems to pass without notice, yet it still feels like there is more left to see. However, I do feel that the road in front of the mosque could be a bit wider. Fortunately, renovation work is currently underway, and I hope a better and more beautiful road will be available soon.


^{A view of the wall structure on the left side of the mosque}


^{Exterior view of the window of the Chini Mosque}


^{The last door on the right side of the mosque. The walls here also had beautiful decorative craftsmanship}


^{Another amazing view of the mosque}

This mosque is a beautiful reminder of the Mughal architectural heritage that still survives in our country, proper maintenance of such an old mosque with rich architectural value is extremely important, and I sincerely hope it continues to receive the care it deserves.

Location Code and Other info

Attribute	Details
Steem Atlas Location	[//]:# (!steematlas 25.794313 lat 88.890297 long chini Mosque d3scr)
Google Location	25.794313,88.890297, Link
Country	Bangladesh
Location	Saidpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari
Status	Active
Affiliation	Sunni Islam
Type	Mosque architecture
Construction	1863
Decoration	Nicely Decorated
Website	No