Naqqar Khanah (Beating Kettle-Drums) in the Holy Shrine of Imam Rida (A.S.)

Beating kettle-drums (Naqqarah) was customary in olden times upon the occurrence of an important event or the attendance of people in royal courts. In 860 A.H./ 1455 A.D., when Baisonqor, Shahrukh Mirza's son, the Timurid Sultan, came to Mashhad from Herat kettle-drums were beaten to announce his presence in the holy shrine of Imam Rida (A.S.).

He was visiting the holy shrine in order to find a cure for his illness which the physicians were unable to cure. Baisonqor was miraculously healed in the holy shrine of Imam Rida (A.S.) and the kettle-drums were beaten once again, and since then, this practice is performed everyday in the holy shrine before sunrise and sunset (except the mourning periods). The kettle-drums are also beaten when any sick pilgrim gets miraculously healed at the holy shrine.