Location Methala, Kodungalloor State Kerala Length 61m Opened 629 AD Phone 0480 280 3170 | Affiliation Islam Completed 629 AD Width 24m Architectural style Hindu temple architecture District Thrissur district | |
 | ||
Address NH 66, Padakulam, Kodungallur, Kerala 680664 Similar Thiruvanchikulam Temple, Malik Dinar Mosque, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Shakthan Thampuran Palace, St Thomas Church - Palayoor | ||
The Cheraman Juma Masjid (Malayalam:ചേരമാൻ പള്ളി) is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District in the Indian state of Kerala. Built in 629 AD, it is the first mosque in India. It was built by Malik Deenar, an Arab propagator of Islam and a follower and contemporary of Islamic Prophet Muhammad. 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.
Contents
History
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. According to Keralan legend, Cheraman Perumal, the Chera king, went to Arabia where he met Muhammad and embraced Islam and changed his name to Tajuddin.
From there he had sent letters with Malik Ibn Dinar to his relatives in Kerala, asking them to be courteous to the latter. According to Burnell he was a contemporary of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
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.
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. 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.
Location
Masjid is located in the Paravur - Kodungalloor Road, NH-66 at Kodungalloor taluk, Thrissur District.