BAITUL MUKARRAM
BAITUL MUKARRAMBaitul Mukarram is the largest Mosque in the city of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, a three storied structure that closely resembles the famous Kabah in the Muslim Holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and distinguishing it from other mosques in Bangladesh.
The impressive mosque complex of Baitul Mukarram designed by T Abdul Hussain Thariani, the leading architect in East Pakistan, has several modern architectural features, while still beautifully preserving the traditional principles of mosque architecture. Construction began on 27 January 1960.
The mosque complex includes shops, libraries, offices and parking areas. The main prayer hall has an area of 26,517 square feet with an additional mezzanine floor on the eastern side which measures 1,840 square feet. The mosque itself is on a remarkably high platform and prayer hall has verandas on three of its sides with stairs up to them. The mihrab (niche in wall of mosque showing the direction of Makkah) is rectangular instead of the more traditional semi-circular design and ornamental decoration has been kept to a minimum. The gardens with rows of fountains are beautifully maintained.