Cheraman Juma Mosque

Cheraman Juma Mosque
The renovated Cheraman Juma Mosque
Shown within Kerala
Basic information
Location	Methala, Kodungalloor
Geographic coordinates	10°13′12″N 76°11′38″E / 10.22°N 76.194°E / 10.22; 76.194Coordinates: 10°13′12″N 76°11′38″E / 10.22°N 76.194°E / 10.22; 76.194
Affiliation	Islam
District	Thrissur
State	Kerala
Country	India
Completed	629 AD
Specifications
Length	61m
Width	24m

The Cheraman Juma Mosque (Malayalam:ചേരമാൻ പള്ളി) is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District in the Indian state of Kerala.^[1][2][3] Built in 629 AD, it is the first mosque in India.^[4][5][6] It was built by Malik Deenar, an Arab propagator of Islam.^{[7][8][9][10]} It is believed that this mosque was first renovated and reconstructed in the 11th century AD. Many non-Muslims conduct initiation ceremonies to the world of letters of their children here.^[3]

History

Structure of old Cheraman Masjid

Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and India were active. Even before Islam had been established in Arabia, Arab traders visited the Malabar region, which was a major link between the ports of India and Southeast Asia.

With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went.^[11] One of the myths around the mosque is that Cheraman Perumal, the Chera king, went to Arabia, embraced Islam and changed his name to Tajuddin. He spent some time there, and died while returning in Dhufar, Oman .^[12]

From there he had sent letters with Malik Ibn Dinar to his relatives in Kerala, asking them to be courteous to the latter.^[13] See search of Burnell.^[14]

In the 7th Century, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in Thrissur District constructed a Masjid at Kodungalloor, naming it after their contemporary Cheraman Perumal.^[15]

The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which always burns and which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. People of all religions bring oil for the lamp as offering. Like most, this mosque allows entry for Non-Muslims.^[16] The then president of India Abdul Kalam is among the notable visitors to this mosque.

In April 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a gold-plated replica of the Cheraman Juma Masjid to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.^[17][18][19]

Location

Masjid is located in the Paravur - Kodungalloor Road, NH-66 at Kodungalloor taluk, Thrissur District.

See also

• Islam in India
• Muziris Heritage Project

References

Tourist attractions in Thrissur
Dams	Chimmony Dam Peechi Dam Peringalkuthu Dam Poomala Dam Sholayar Dam Vazhani Dam
Beaches and Waterfalls	Athirappilly Falls Charpa Falls Pattathippara Falls Vazhachal Falls Marottichal Chavakkad Beach Munakkal Beach Snehatheeram Beach
Forts and Palaces	Cheraman Parambu Cranganore Fort William Fort Puthen Kovilakam Punnathurkotta Merry Lodge Palace Kollengode Palace Merry Lodge Palace Kodungallur Kovilakam Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Boatraces	Kandassankadavu Boat Race Triprayar Boat Race
Parks and Zoos	Vanchikulam Thrissur Zoo Viyyur Jail Park Padinjarechira Vadakkechira Vilangan Hills Thekkinkadu Maidan Nehru Park, Thrissur Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Exhibitions and film festivals	Thrissur Pooram Exhibition ViBGYOR Film Festival Thrissur International Film Festival International Theatre Festival of Kerala
Buildings	Bible Tower Sobha City Mala Synagogue Ramanilayam Cheraman Juma Masjid Thrissur Town Hall Banerjee Memorial Club Cochin State Forest Tramway Municipal Corporation Building, Thrissur
Festivals	Puli Kali Aanayoottu Ilanjithara Melam Thrissur Pooram Peruvanam Pooram Arattupuzha Pooram Machad Mamangam Chembai Sangeetholsavam Feast of Saint Raphael, Ollur Edakkunni Uthram Vilakku
Prehistoric	Ariyannur Umbrellas Kudakkallu Parambu Chovvanur burial cave Punarjani Guha
Museums	Archaeological Museum, Thrissur Vallathol Museum Mural Art Museum Devaswom Museum Ramavarma Appan Thampuran Memorial Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum