Finally, Khairatabad mosque to get facelift

Hyderabad: The 391-year-old Khairatabad mosque is finally getting a facelift. Heritage Telangana (formerly known as the department of Archaeology and Museums) has finalised the tender process and awarded the contract to Ravinder Dasa, who has vast experience in restoration of old structures with lime plaster.

The devotees will now heave a sigh of relief as in the last six months, chunks of lime plaster have fallen off several times. Mujahid, the present caretaker said, “We are happy that the department is taking up repair works now. Luckily, whenever pieces of lime plaster and stones fell, there were no people around.”

The last time repair works were taken up was 15 years ago but only the roof was repaired. An amount of Rs 25 lakh was sanctioned then but only Rs 3 lakh was released. This time around, repair works are being undertaken with Rs 55 lakh.

The Khairatabad mosque has a rich history. It was built by Khairat-un-Nisa Begum, daughter of Mohammed Qutub Shah, the sixth king in the line of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Khairunnisa, as she is popularly known, built the mosque for her tutor, Akhund Mulla Abdul Malik.

Raised platform, three-arch opening front, jalli work, resplendent of the Qutub Shahi style of architecture, leaves and intricate designs make the mosque a sight to behold. It was designed and constructed by Hussain Shah Wali.

N R Visalatchi, director, Heritage Telangana, said the repairs would be completed in a few months. When asked about the Khairunnisa tomb, which is adjacent to the mosque and is in a bad shape, he said both the structures are protected monuments and even the tomb would be restored soon.

People have been visiting the mosque for over 350 years and on Friday about 2,000 people offered prayers at the mosque. A tin roof has been constructed in front of the mosque which obstructs the view of the structure. Being a protected monument, construction of any kind needs the permission of the Department of Archaeology.