Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine (Shah Nimatullah Wali) – Mahan, Kerman, Iran

Peaceful spirituality, mind-blowing mystery, Persian architecture, and Sufi symbolism! You can have them all together in the mausoleum of the Persian Sufi master, poet, seer, and founder of a yet active order of Dervishes: Shah Nematollah Vali (also spelled as Shah Nimatullah Wali). Thirty five kilometers to the southeast of Kerman, a town known as Mahan features Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine. This gorgeous place is the perfect place to learn about Persian mysticism, Persian architecture, and unbelievable predictions about the future of the world! Stick with me to find out more…

Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine Courtyard

Who Was Shah Nematollah Vali?

In the early 14^th century, Shah Nematollah Vali was born in Aleppo, Syria. Aleppo was then the center of Sufi metaphysics of Ibn Arabi (a well-known Muslim philosopher). Nematollah’s father took him to Sufi gatherings from childhood. From then on, he kept reading the works of Ibn Arabi, learning from the greatest masters of his time and traveling widely through the Muslim world.

Nematollah finally found the master he’d been looking for in Mecca and spent 7 years studying beside him. This period made him spiritually transformed. So, he set out for his second round of travels, this time as an enlightened teacher. By the time he died, his fame had spread throughout the Muslim world as well as India. To his followers, he is a prophetic figure, a saint, a sage, and the founder of an order of dervishes. To others, he is a great poet, a mystery, and a wise man.

A portrait of Shah Nematollah Vali

The Story of Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine

Shah Nematollah spent the last years of his life in Mahan, Kerman. After he passed away, he was buried in a garden in Mahan. The first person who ordered the construction of a courtyard and the central domed structure over his tomb was one of his followers, Ahmad Shah I Wali, the ruler of Deccan, India. After this 15^th-century dedication, rulers of Safavid and Qajar periods also contributed to the shrine, adding different parts to it. After 6 centuries of architectural transformations, the shrine is now the physical and spiritual heart of Mahan and a national heritage of Iran.

Shah Nematollah Vali shrine from a distance

How Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine Looks

The shrine is in fact a large complex with different buildings and courtyards. Entering the complex, you will reach the first courtyard. There you’ll see porticos around and a large pond in the middle. Then moving on and passing a Hashti (traditional entrance hall) will bring you to another pond-filled courtyard. There, you can find Shah Nematollah Museum, a bookshop, 2 minarets, and tombs of renowned figures. After this part, it is the shrine room that will impress you. Over the shining Zarih (a decorated structure that surrounds a grave), the dome-shaped arch is decorated with intricate paintings.

To the west of the portico behind the shrine room, you can find a tiny prayer chamber where Shah Nematollah used to pray, meditate and write poems. The roof of this room looks like a Sufi hat with 12 cracks on it and verses of the Quran and Persian poems cover the walls in a spiral pattern.

Shah Nimatollah Vali Shrine

What about the elegant Islamic decorations?

They are the real charm of the Shrine and you can see them on every corner! Turquoise tiles cover the façade and the 2 minarets, arabesque motifs cover the eastern gateway, 11 angels cover the dome, and calligraphic inscriptions cover the tombstone. Also, carpets covered with pentagram symbols and elements of backward mirror writing surround the main tomb.

The decorations at Shah Nematollah Vali shrine

The Secret of Number 11 at Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine

In Abjad Numerals, the number “eleven” can be equivalent to the Sufi mantra “Hu”. Hu stands for Allah, or God. In Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine, the architect used the number 11 in the most subtle way. Where? Mostly in the dome! Eleven triangles come together to form the overall shape of the dome. Also, the paintings of eleven angels decorate this dome. Plus, stars with eleven points are of symbolic motifs in the shrine. An 11-point star is rare in Islamic geometrical shapes.

the calligraphic works in Shah Nematollah Vali shrine

The Nostradamus of the Islamic World – Shah Nematollah Vali Prediction

Shah Nematollah Vali left the world with a Persian book of poems. But the book is no ordinary book! It is a book of predictions and prophesies! The accuracy with which the poems name the historical figures and events that emerged centuries later is just mind-blowing! Despite Nostradamus, who claimed that his revelations have astrological bases, Shah Nematollah claimed his revelations to have spiritual bases.

a page from Shah Nimatullah Vali book of poems

The Library and Museum at Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine

In the library and museum, you can find precious copies of the Quran, armors, swords, and a unique piece of fabric that once covered Shah Nematollah’s tomb.

Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine – A view from the courtyard

More About Shah Nematollah Holy Shrine

Visit Hours

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visit Days

Every day

Best Season

late March to early May and mid-September to mid-December

Best Time

Sunset

Where to Eat Near Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine

Mahovina Traditional Restaurant

Zeytoun Restaurant

Golha Ice Cream Parlor

Like to visit Shah Nimatullah Wali Shrine?

Then join one of our Kerman Excursion Tours, Kerman Desert Tours, or our 14-day Main Magnets Plus the Charisma of Desert Civilizations tour.

Keywords:  اشعار شاه نعمت الله ولی – شاه نعمت اله ولی – Shah Nimatollah Wali Predictions – Hazrat Nimatollah Shah Wali