Cheraman Juma Masjid

Posted Date: 24 Jul 2010 Author: Latha Jayaprakash

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Cheraman Juma Masjid is a an ancient mosque built in 629 AD in Kodungalloor of Kerala state in India.

About Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor

Cheraman Juma Masjid, is a mosque, built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Deenar, in Kodungallur, in the state of Kerala. Cheraman Juma Masjid is the oldest mosque in India, as well as the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu'ah prayers. This masjid is said to be constructed during the life time of Muhammad. Some of his followers are seemed to have buried at this Mosque. This may be the only mosque in India to face eastwards while usually all the mosques in India face west.

About Cheraman Perumal / Ramavarma Kulasekahara

Cheraman Perumal alias Ramavarma Kulasekhara the Chera ruler witnessed some miraculous happeings like the slitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad. He found that that this symbol to show the coming of the messenger of God from Arabia. After sometime Cheraman went to Makka of Arabia and embraced Islam and got named as Thajudeen. As per his wishes a group of his colleagues led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik Bin Habib, got back to Chera Kingdom to spread Islam. They constructed the Cheraman Juma masjid. at Kodungalloor

about the Mosque in Kodungalloor

There is a lamp that burns all the time there which is believed to be more than a 1000 years old. Devotees from all over without caste creed and religion come and pour oil in the lamp as an offering. In the recent years they have also started Vidyarambham a hindu ritual for initiating children to Education
The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style and has brass lamps The Rosewood pulpit where the priest recites the Friday prayers has carvings similar to those seen in Hindu temples. There is a block of white marble at the Masjid which is said to have been brought from Makkah.

How to Reach Kodungalloor Cheraman Juma Masjid

You have to reach Kochi International airport at Nedumbassery or the railway station at Irinjalakuda. Most of the trains stop at Irinjalakuda since is an important place on the map of Kerala. The masjid is situated at about 20 kilometers away from the railway station.

By Road you can get Kodungalloor if you travel by NH17 from Thrissur to Ernakulam. The Masjid is easily accessible by air, train and by road