TEHRAN -- The old zarih (outer sarcophagus enclosure) of the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is scheduled to be transferred to Iran to be put on display at the Astan-e Qods Razavi Library and Museum in Mashhad.
“This zarih, which was set up at the holy shrine about 70 years ago, had been made by artisans from the Zaydiyah sect in India,” Iran’s Center for Reconstruction of Holy Shrines Director Hassan Palarak told the Persian service of IRNA.
The new zarih, which was created by Iranian artists and artisans in Qom, arrived in Karbala last week to replace the old one. It was designed by prominent Iranian miniaturist Mahmud Farshchian.
“Severing the old zarih will begin on January 11, 2013 and it will be completed in ten days,” Palarak said.
“Installing the new zarih will commence immediately and it is estimated that it will take a month to install,” he added.
He said that it would be unveiled in mid-February 2013.
The zarih was made of gold, silver, copper and teakwood. The latest techniques were used in lighting in this structure. In addition, crystals with the ability to change light and color have been installed inside it.
Palarak had previously said that his center spent about 140 billion rials (about $11.5 million) to make the zarih.
About 1250 kilograms of gold, about 1800 kilograms of silver and about 600 kilograms of copper have been used in the construction of the zarih.
Farshchian was commissioned by the Zarih-making Board of Trustees in Qom in 2007 to create the new design that was completed in March 2011.
Afterwards, a large group of Iranian artists and artisans in the city of Qom was hired to build it.
The construction was put on display at the Masumieh Seminary in Qom after completion on September 27.
People in the city bid a fond farewell to the zarih on November 26 and afterwards it began a tour across Iran to arrive in Iraq.
People made cash and gold offerings to the zarih in every city in which it arrived.
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