Ildar Khanov
Ildar Khanov | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1939 Republic of Tatarstan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 2013 Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Education | Moscow Surikov State Academic Institute of Fine Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, architect |
| Known for | Creator of the Temple of All Religions |
Ildar Khanov (1939–2013) was a Russian artist and architect, best known for creating the Temple of All Religions in Kazan, Russia.
Early life and education
Khanov was born in the Republic of Tatarstan. From an early age, he claimed to have had mystical experiences; at the age of three, during a near-death episode amid wartime starvation, he reported a vision of Jesus Christ, which he said endowed him with healing abilities.[1] [2] Khanov pursued formal education in the arts, studying monumental painting at the Moscow Surikov State Academic Institute of Fine Arts during the 1960s.[2]
Career
After completing his education, he returned to Tatarstan, where he worked on public sculptures and fountains, particularly in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny.[2]
Temple of All Religions
In 1994, Khanov began building the Temple of All Religions (also known as the Universal Temple), located in Staroye Arakchino, a suburb of Kazan.[3][1] Originally, Khanov had attempted to build a similar project in Naberezhnye Chelny, disguised as a hotel, but after his plans were discovered, he relocated the construction to his childhood home.[3] According to Khanov, the inspiration for the temple came from another vision of Jesus Christ, who instructed him to create a space uniting all major world religions.[1][2] The Temple was envisioned as a cultural center rather than a place of worship, featuring architectural elements symbolizing various religions, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and ancient faiths.[3][4]
Khanov also practiced as a healer, claiming to treat up to 300 patients per day for addictions and various diseases.[1][4][5] He funded much of the temple’s construction through donations from those he treated and from volunteers who also assisted with building work.[4]
Death
Ildar Khanov passed away in 2013 at the age of 73.[1][4] His brother, Ilgiz Khanov, continued the project after his death.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e Strochlic, Nina (6 September 2015). "Russia's Temple for All Religions". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ a b c d Pothin, Marie. "A universal Temple for all religions in Kazan". Le Journal International. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ a b c "Temple of All Religions, Kazan". advantour.com. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ a b c d Patowary, Kaushik. "The Temple of All Religions in Russia". Amusing Planet. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Ракурсы. Творчество Ильдара Ханова". kazan24.ru (in Russian).
- ^ Rylova, Eleonora. "Mosque to appear in Temple of All Religions". Realnoe Vremya. Retrieved 2025-04-25.