Ildar Khanov built a temple of all colors and religions that reconcile Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed
The temple of all religions (or universal temple of religions) is an architectural complex located in the "microdistrict" of Staroye Arakchino, inside the municipality of Kazan in Russia . Closely grouped on a small plot of land, the complex consists of several domes, minarets and bell towers representing the religious architecture of 12 great religions of the world. There is the Christian cross, the Muslim crescent, the star of David and the Chinese dome; However, no ceremony takes place inside it and no prayer sounds are heard, because it is not a temple like another. The building is simply a cultural centre, not worship, which also serves as a residence to its owner, artist and local philanthropist Ildar Khanov and his assistants who practice spiritual healing to their consenting patients.
Ildar Khanov believes that all religions are equal, and the " Temple of All Religions" was his way of gathering them under one roof. The construction of the universal temple of religions began in 1992 and is still not completed. The yard seems eternal. In reality, Ildar Khanov planned to build 16 cupolas corresponding to the 16 major religions of the world. Unfortunately Kazan’s visionary builder will not see the completion of his work because he died in February 2013 .
In the 1960s, Ildar Khanov graduated from a Moscow art school, the Surikov Institute. He was an eccentric person who claimed to have met Jesus while he was only three years old, experimenting with clinical death: “I am dead, and that is when I met Christ. I woke up when the old people in the village were about to start the funeral procedures. This would have occurred during the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War. His two brothers died of hunger at the moment. It was then that, according to him, he embarked on his journey as an artist and healer.
Over the 40 years of his creative work, Ildar Khanov has created more than 70 sculptures and monumental decorative pieces, as well as hundreds of paintings. Part of his best works decorate Russian museums, as well as the streets and squares of many cities in Tatarstan . Ildar Khanov is also known for his efforts in the treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction and various other diseases. Indeed, it is his former (and current) patients who help him to maintain and develop the temple, either by direct involvement in the work or through sponsorship.
The universal temple of religions has become a popular stage in the city of Kazan, which is proud of the peaceful association of different religions, including tatar, Orthodox, and others. The temple is visited by both tourists and people who are looking for disease healing.
The temple of all religions is accessed by train at Staroe Araktchino Station, which is about a quarter of an hour before entering Kazan Station. If you’re on a big line train, it won’t stop, and then you’ll hardly have time to see it from your seat. Between the railroad and the highway that runs along the Volga, the brightly coloured building is a surprise for innocent passengers.
Photo sources and text: Amusing Planet , Le Figaro
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