The Largest Yazidi Temple in the World – Quba Mere Diwane

Quba Mere Diwane, opened in September 2019, is the largest Yazidi temple in the world. Located in the village of Aknalich in the Armavir region of Armenia, it was built at the expense of an Armenian Yazidi living in Russia, businessman Mirza Sloyan.

The new temple is situated just a few meters from Ziarat, the first Yazidi temple in Armenia, built in 2012. The temple was designed by Artak Ghulyan, one of the most prolific architects of religious buildings in Armenia.

Quba Mere Diwane

The temple is 25 meters high and consists of seven domes surrounding a central arched roof. It also houses a seminary and a museum. The temple is dedicated to the angel Malak Tavus and the seven angels of Yazidi theology. The highest dome and the surrounding domes symbolize angels and are decorated with golden suns. The design is largely inspired by the Lalesh Temple in northern Iraq, the main Yazidi shrine and place of pilgrimage.

In the adjacent park opposite the temple, one can see numerous statues dedicated to renowned Yazidi and Armenian historical figures and saints.

Yazidis are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Armenia, practicing an ancient, monotheistic belief that has similarities to Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sufism, and Zoroastrianism, along with elements of Iranian paganism.

A monument dedicated to the Genocide of Shangali Yazidis

Yazidis are a national minority and according to the Armenian census, 35,000 Yazidis lived in Armenia in 2011.