201 Dome Mosque Gopalpur, Tangail

View from the outside

Hello Ladies & Gentlemen. Welcome to steem-atlas. The 201 Dome Mosque, located in Gopalpur Upazila of Tangail District, is one of the largest and most unique mosques in Bangladesh. Today I came to participate in this steematlas-s24w4 challenge run by a member of steemit challenge Atlas team. It is being built on a private initiative and has now become an important place of religious tourism in the country. This mosque is not just a place of prayer, it carries the religious, social and cultural heritage of Bangladesh from multiple perspectives.

The construction of the 201 Dome Mosque was initiated by the eminent scholar and social worker Hazrat Maulana Hamidur Rahman (RA). His desire was to build a religious institution that would not only be a place of prayer for the devotees but would also function as a complete Islamic center. Currently, this project is being managed by Hazrat Shah Jamal (RA) Trust. The foundation stone of the mosque was laid in 2013 and its construction is progressing step by step. I am pinning the address of the masque.

Atlas Pin Location	[//]:# (!steematlas 24.59862588 lat 89.87460673 long 201 Dome Mosque Gopalpur, Tangail d3scr)
Google Maps Location	click here
Opening Hour	24 hours

The origin of this mosque

---

In terms of architecture and design, the architectural plan of the 201 Dome Mosque is so spectacular and unique that it fascinates anyone. The central dome is huge, surrounded by 200 other small and large domes. Due to this unique design, it is known as the 201 Dome Mosque.

Nine tall minarets have been built around the mosque, each about 100 feet high, which catches the eye from afar. Marble stones, carved walls, chandeliers and Islamic calligraphy have been used inside. About 20,000 worshippers can pray in this mosque at a time.

This mosque in Gopalpur has already become a pilgrimage site among devout Muslims. Every day, thousands of people from different parts of the country come to visit the mosque and offer prayers. The crowd of devotees present at the Friday Juma and Eid congregations easily proves it. Many also call this mosque the Taj Mahal of Bangladesh.

Back side view

Exterior view

---

From the outside, the mosque looks like a palace. The domes are arranged in different shapes, the largest of which is in the central part. All the domes are white in color, with a golden or bronze cap-like part on top. There are 9 tall minarets here that can be seen from a distance. There are small spires and crescents on the top of the minarets.

There is a paved road at the entrance, and flower gardens around it. In addition, there are arrangements for prayers in the large field. When people go to this mosque, they go straight to the front and get busy taking pictures. You can enjoy all the views from the front to the back. It is a holy place and people have many ideas about it.

Exterior view

When I was in the scene in front of the mosque

Parking Section

---

This is a mosque that people come from all over Bangladesh to visit, so the safety of their vehicles is of utmost importance. A beautiful and well-planned bike parking facility has been set up for the visitors and devotees coming to the 201 Dome Mosque, which is an important part of the overall service system of the mosque. The bike parking spot is located in the underground side of the building in front of the main gate.

It is easily accessible, so that there is no problem parking the bike during prayers or darshan. About 200-300 bikes can be parked here at a time. CCTV cameras are installed in the parking area, which ensures security. A security guard assigned at a specific time monitors the queue of bikes. There is a good lighting system even at night, so that there is no theft or chaos in the dark.

parking gate

Many bikes are parked

Per bike price	BDT 20 (local taka)	1.5 STEEM Approx

Inside view

---

Let's go inside. As soon as you enter the interior of the 201-domed mosque, you will be struck by its immense beauty. It is spacious, open and peaceful. There is a huge hall with Arabic verses written on the walls. The marble floor is cool and shiny.

There is a large carpet laid out there that ensures a comfortable prayer environment for the worshippers. The main mihrab is very artistic and beautifully carved. Next to it is a pulpit made of wood and marble from which the Khatib Sahib delivers the sermon. Under the domes, there are spherical structures that control the sound reflection. As we entered through the inner gate, small children greeted us with joy. We went there on Friday so we prayed Friday prayers there.

inside gate

Donation box

spherical structures

Prayer place

What is special here?

---

The height of this central dome is about 80 feet. From above, the domes are arranged in a circular shape rather than in a row. Each dome has colored cement-crafts and metallic needle tops. The bottom of the dome has windows that help light in. Its most special scene is the scene above.

If you want, you can climb over a thin minaret. From above, 201 domes are lined up perfectly. The small domes around the central big dome are arranged in a circle like a huge conch spread. Many say it looks like the famous mosques of Iran, Turkey or Saudi Arabia but look more touching on the soil of Bangladesh.

dome with minaret

A view of a minaret

1 real big dome

As well as many domes

When the sunlight falls on the dome in the twilight or dawn light, each dome casts a shadow on the front dome with a magical sight. If the picture is taken with a drone, the arrangement of the entire dome looks like a huge mandala or mandala art neat, centered and balanced. In the picture above, you will notice that the name of our Creator, Allah, is written on each dome.

Ablution room

---

It is very important to wash hands and face before entering every holy place. If we are going to pray in this mosque, we have to do ablution, there was a good arrangement for ablution. It is good to say that both men and women can pray in this mosque.

However, prayer arrangements have been made on the second floor for men and prayer arrangements have been made underground for women and people. So it is mandatory to do ablution before prayer. There is a clean ablution room there. A clean ablution room made of marble and tiles.

50+ worshippers can do ablution at a time. Sensors are installed in each tap in many places. Anti-slip tiles under the feet and a good arrangement for water drainage. There are separate modern toilet blocks for worshippers. Separate arrangements for men and women. Regular cleaning staff are employed to maintain cleanliness.

Men's toilet section

Section for performing ablution with water

Holy instruction

It is important for our human race to follow the ideal rules in every place. There is a notice board that says, "Keep your shoes under the stairs." Because if you enter the ablution room with shoes, the mud from your shoes will get on the ablution room and make it dirty and impure.

Towels have been arranged there to wipe your hands and face after performing ablution. They are ready to provide all the facilities to the people. Now look at the picture below where there is a very clear place to keep shoes. There is a separate box for keeping each shoe. There, people can store their shoes as per their convenience.

Security System

---

Finally, we came to see the security system. Since it is a mosque, it is free for everyone. However, security measures are required in some cases. This 201-domed mosque is secured with modern technology through CCTV cameras, which is very important for such a large mosque complex. The mosque authorities have set up round-the-clock surveillance through CCTV cameras so that those who come to pray or visit here can stay safe.

CCTV cameras are installed at the main gate of the mosque, bike parking, ablution room, prayer hall and the surrounding open areas. Everything is monitored with these cameras. When someone enters or leaves the mosque, their video is recorded on the camera. So that nothing escapes the eyes even at night, night vision cameras have also been used. Again, some cameras can rotate in all directions so that the entire area is under surveillance. I took a picture from the exact place where the CCTV cameras were installed, but I have come to many other places where cameras are installed.

Strict security measures with CCTV cameras

• Below are video clips of me spending some time in this mosque, with my voice, and links to YouTube.