Ildar Khanov

After completing his education, he returned to Tatarstan, where he worked on public sculptures and fountains, particularly in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny.^[2]

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]

Ildar Khanov died in 2013 at the age of 73.^[1][4] His brother, Ilgiz Khanov, continued the project after his death.^[6]