Cheraman Juma Masjid

Believed to be the first mosque to be built in India.It is believed that,the local ruler of Kodungallur handed over a defunct Buddhist vihara,east of the Arakulam tank for the use of the Islamic missionary team led by Malik ibn Dinar.An undated, ancient sanskrit play 'Vita nidra bhāna' mentions about a 'mundadharina palli'(Place of worship of those with tonsured heads) just north of Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple. Historian Kesavan Veluthat argues that mosques in Malayalam are called 'Palli' and that until recently Keralite Muslims used to go around with shaven heads.He identifies this 'mundadharina palli' with the Cheraman mosque. The date of establishment of this mosque is controversial.The Arabi-Malayalam inscription on the marble panel at the entrance of the mosque proclaims the establishment of the mosque in AH 5/626 C.E.According to oral traditions, the mosque was erected on AH 8/ 628-629 C.E.Tuhfat al-Mujahideen by Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdoom II(d.1563 C.E) gives the establishment date of this mosque as Monday, 11 th Rajab, A.H 21(15 th June,642 C.E). Historian M.G.S Narayanan notes that the original mosque has a temple like foundation exhibiting 11th-12 th century architectural style.He supports the tradition that the mosque could have been constructed during the reign of the last Chera king or immediately after this period(12 th century C.E). According to oral traditions,this mosque was first renovated in the 11th century and in the 14 th century C.E.In 1504 C.E, Kodungallur town was set on fire by the Portuguese under Lopo Soares de Albergaria.It is possible that the mosque would have been damaged by this attack and then subsequently rebuilt. The present structure probably dates back to mid 16 th century or early 17 th century C.E.The mosque was further renovated in 1974 ,1994 and in 2001 C.E The mosque was a two storeyed building with tiled sloping roofs.Minarets were added to the ancient structure only in 1984 C.E. The sanctum sanctorum of the mosque with its timber roofing has been left undisturbed during all these renovations. The rosewood minbar (pulpit) of the mosque has 3 steps and is covered by wooden canopy.It has several intricate carvings with lotus motifs.The ornate mihrab(prayer niche) of the mosque has a semi-circular arch and the qibla wall has a rectangular projection on the outside. The mosque has a 500 year old,traditional brass lamp hanging from the ceiling.It has inscriptions in old Malayalam script and Arabic.In the past,the oil for this lamp used to be brought from the royal palace.On auspicious occasions,people of all religions bring oil or make offerings of money to buy oil for the lamp -as a time honoured custom.Oil from this lamp used to be given as 'baraka' (blessing)to the visitors .Hindus and Muslims alike initiate their children into the world of letters in this mosque. To the south west of the mosque is a mausoleum housing three graves. Two of these belong to Malik ibn Habib(d. A.H 24/644 C.E) and his wife Qamariyya.Some believe that the third one belongs to Malik's son, Muhammad-the first Qadi of the mosque.The mortal remains of Mammali Marakkar and his two sons,martyred in the fight with the Portuguese are believed to be interred in the graveyard located to the right side of the mosque.Behind the mosque is a pond (hawdh) which was used for making ablutions before prayers. During Ramadan,the non-muslims of Kodungallur make offerings towards the fast breaking ceremony conducted in this mosque.In the past,during Sivarathri festival at the Thiruvanchikulam Temple ,caparisoned elephants en route to the Arakulam area used to stop by the mosque-remniscent of the cordial relationship that existed between the two houses of worship. Prominent visitors of this mosque include former President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam and Kerala governer Arif Mohammad Khan.On April 2016,Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a gold-plated replica of the Cheraman Juma Masjid to the Saudi King Salmān ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd.