Odathil Masjid — Attraction in Kerala

Odathil Palli (Mosque in a garden) was built around 1806 C.E by Moosa kaka,a prominent trader of the times.The mosque is built at the site of a sugarcane garden owned by the Dutch East India company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie-VOC) which was subsequently taken over by the English East India Company.Even though, the EIC wanted to gift the Dutch sugarcane garden free of cost to Moosa kaka as a reward for his loyalty,Moosa refused.Finally, the plot was sold to Moosa at a nominal amount. Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (reign 1758–1798 C.E), the Maharajah of Travancore was very much impressed by Moosa kaka's honesty and sincerity and gifted him a shipload of teak.This was carried to Thalassery and was used in the construction of Kannadi pandikasala.The remaining timber was utilised when the Odathil mosque was built. The masjid has three main entrances.It has ornamental gables and sloping roofs made of copper sheets adorned with golden finials. It is said that,the Chirakkal raja initially objected to the laying of these finials-a privilege granted only to the Brahminical temples.Due to this,the two golden and the one silver finial made for the mosque had to he stored in Moosa's Kannadi pandikasala. It was Kunhamed Keyi, a member of Keloth branch of Keyis who was finally able to lay these finials atop the octogonal dome of the mosque in 1861 C.E. All rulers of Malabar and dignitaries were invited to witness the installation of these finials.The installation was done after carrying these finials on elephant back around the town.The British battalion of Cannanore (Kannur)played flute during this occasion.All those who assembled to witness the function were given sweetened water- obtained by emptying sugar bags into a well. Although all Muslims attend prayer services in this mosque,the burial facilities in the mosque compound are reserved for the Keyi family members.The maqbara of Moosa kaka (d.1807 C.E) and his wives were in the courtyard of this mosque.One of these tombs was demolished,when the prayer hall was extended into...

New look of Oodathil Pally, Telicherry, Kannur, Kerala, India.This mosque is built in 1800 at central town of Telicherry. We can enter to this old masjid by two way. One way via Oodathil pally road and the one via OV road. This masjd is one of the oldest and historical masjid in malabar area. Fyi. This mosque is belongs to the Keyi family and still handled by this family.

(Keyi family is One of the oldest muslim community or tharavad in Kerala.). I attended yesterday a marriage cermony in a marriage hall, which is also near to this masjid. Renovation of masjid recently...

History of this mosque will continue... This Odathil family kept a residents flat near Holy Mosque of Makkah in olden days, now the government of Saudi Arabia given this family a huge amount, which aleady kept by government of India. The fund is not distributed to the family of Keyi, due to some of new members rejection of this fund.....

In the heart of Thalassery stands the 200-year-old Odathil Palli and the Garden Mosque. The site of the Odathil Palli used to be a sugarcane garden of the Dutch. It changed hands to the British-owned East India Company.

Moosakaka, a Muslim Keralite, was the contractor of the East India Company. Moosakaka hailed from the Keyi family of Thalassery. The Keyis were among the prominent traders of the time.

Moosakaka was considered to be very honest and trustworthy. Hence, the company wanted to reward him for his loyalty. As per his request, he was given the Dutch sugar garden. Musakaka bought this land for a small price, as he did not...