Cheraman Juma Masjid is the first mosque built in India and the second in the whole world to have recited Juma prayers in a holy pilgrimage. The masjid was built in the seventh century, A.D 629 by Malik Dinar. Situated at a distance of 2km away from Kodungallur, in Thrissur district, Masjid attracts thousands of pilgrims regardless of their religion or caste.
Cheraman Perumal, the modern King of Chera Dynasty in Kerala, once had a weird dream about the moon splitting into two. He asked his advisers to interpret the dream and was not satisfied with their replies. At last, the Arab traders informed him that it was a message from the Prophet. Upon hearing that, the King travelled to Madina to meet the Prophet and later embraced Islam. But most unfortunately King couldn’t complete his journey back to his land and died in the middle of the journey. Yet he instructed his travel companion Malik Dinar to build a mosque and spread the religion in all Kerala. As a result, Cheraman Juma Masjid was constructed in Kodungallur and many other mosques across Kerala.
Unlike all other mosques, Cheraman Juma Masjid is built in typical Kerala architecture resembling ancient temples. The brass oil lamp within the mosque is about a thousand years old and since then, the lamp has been kept burning. Oil for this brass lamp is one of the major offerings made by the ardent devotees. The white tiles inside the mosque were brought down from Mecca. Even Though the mosque underwent several reconstructions and renovations, the original hall and the internal structure are carefully retained. King Cheraman had a tremendous influence on his subjects, as the spot in which the mosque stands, is still known as “Cheraman Malik Nagar”, named after the king and his travelling companion. A visit to this ancient mosque would be a great experience that may console your mind and soul.
Contact Details
Cheraman Juma Masjid
Kodungallur – Shornur Road, Sringapuram,
Kodungallur, Kerala 680664
