Holy Shrine

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

Amid tearful prayer and meditation, the climax to any Mashhad pilgrimage is touching and kissing the zarih (gold-latticed cage), which covers Imam Reza’s tomb in the Haram's central shrine beneath the iconic golden dome. Non-Muslims are generally excluded from visiting this inner sanctum but can see a since-replaced older zarih on display in the Haram’s Central Museum.


Must-see attractions