Saqqah Khaneh around the Holy Shrine

In the school of Shi'ism, the concept or application of "Saqqa Khaneh" (the public place for drinking water) is more significant than merely serving water. The Shi'ites who endeavour to honour and commemorate the tragical event on the Ashura day (Tenth Muharram, 61 Hijrah) in the plains of Karbala, Iraq in which His Holiness Imam Hussein (A.S.). And his 72 loyal companions were martyred after remaining thirsty for three complete days. Thus during the last fourteen centuries, the Shi'ites had always built Saqqa Khaneh (the public place for drinking water) to commemorate and honour the martyrdom of His Holiness Imam Hussein (A.S.) and his 72 loyal companions.

Thus, Saqqah Khaneh is also the special feature of the holy shrine of Imam Rida (A.S.). There are three beautiful buildings for the Saqqah Khaneh in the courtyards of the holy shrine and even on every nook and corner of the holy shrine there are public places for drinking water. The three famous Saqqa Khaneh of the holy shrine are as follows:

1) Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Tala'ie:

It is situated in the middle of the Sahn Inqilab and is famous as Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Tala'ie. It was constructed on the orders of Nader Shah Afshar. The upper parts of the arches of this drinking water repository are covered with golden inscriptions, the work of a craftsman named Ismail.

Thus, for this reason the Saqqa Khaneh is famous as Saqqa Khaneh-i Ismail Tala'ie. The Saqqa Khaneh is hexagonal in shape and carved from a single-piece of marble. On the orders of Nader Shah Afshar, the marble was brought from Herat and was installed on the floor of the fountain.

2) Saqqa Khaneh-i Quds:

There is a Saqqa Khaneh in the middle of the Sahn Quds, which was inaugurated in 1990. This Saqqa Khaneh is built in the shape of Masjid-i Aqsa, the first Qeblah (direction faced in the prayers) of the Muslims, situated in Jerusalem. This beautiful drinking water repository occupies 1/8 of the area of the original Masjid-i Aqsa in Jerusalem. The exterior of it features the architecture and mosaic tile work of Aqsa Mosque and its dome is completely made up of gold.

3) Saqqa Khaneh Sahn Jumhuri Islami:

Opposite to the Golden Ivan of the Sahn Jumhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Courtyard) there is a beautiful Saqqa Khaneh. This beautiful building is octagonal in shape with a golden dome and its exterior is covered with mosaic tiles. The water supply in this Saqqa Khaneh is through electronic system. The Islamic Republic Courtyard is the second largest courtyard of the holy shrine and was inaugurated in 1990.