The Star Mosque of Old Dhaka

Decorated with thousands of pieces of broken china, Tara Masjid in Armanitola is one of Old Dhaka's most photographed buildings.

The Star Mosque, or Tara Masjid, stands in Armanitola, Old Dhaka. It was built in the early 19th century by a local merchant, Mirza Golam Pir, as a simple Mughal-style mosque, and was later enlarged and redecorated in the 20th century. Its walls and domes are covered in chinitikri — mosaic made from fragments of glazed porcelain — forming stars, flowers and other motifs. The decoration gives the mosque its name and makes it a favourite stop for visitors exploring the old city.