Palaiya Jumma Palli, Kilakarai, Ramanathapuram
Palaiya
Jumma Palli (The Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai) or Meen Kadai
Palli is a mosque in Kilakarai, Tamilnadu, India. Built in 628-630 AD, it is believed to be one of the oldest mosques in
the world and along with Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Kerala, the first mosque in India. It has an Islamic heritage of more than 1000
years. It is located in Kilakarai, an ancient port town in the South
Indian state of Tamilnadu known for its Islamic culture.
It was
built in 628–630 AD and was re-constructed in 1036. The mosque along with the
others in the town is one of the greatest examples of Dravidian Islam architecture. Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai is the most ancient
place of worship in the entire country and is the fourth-oldest mosque in the
world.
History
& Construction
Constructed
by the Yemeni merchants and trade settlers of the pre-Islamic period in Pandiya
kingdom ordered by Baadhan (Bazan ibn Sasan) Governor of Yemen at the time of
Prophet Muhammad, after they accepted Islam in 625–628 AD at the time
of Kavadh II son of Khosrau
II (king of Persia). This mosque was rebuilt in the
11th century after saheed war.
It is
the oldest mosque of India. Bazan Ibn Sasan, Tamim
Ibn zayd al Ansari, Ibnu
Batutah, Nagoor Abdul Cadir, Ervadi Ibrahim Sahib, Sultan of Ottoman Murad and other most famous Islamic scholars visited the
mosque and Ibnu Batutah said in his travel notes "it's the place of where
most Arab settlers live and he surprised to see them living as in Arab
land".
The
mosque looks like a temple from outside and inside, but does not have any idol
carving on the pillars or walls. There is the Mihrab on the wall like all mosques for identifying the
direction of prayer, which is the only proof that it is a mosque. Elaborate
carvings are present on the surfaces of the walls of the mosque and lofty beams
are also present in the 'Pallivasal' of the mosque. The mosque bears a Tamil architectural look, which implies a distinctive architectural pattern.
This
historical Mosque of great antiquity should be well maintained and preserved
for the future generation because it represents the legacy of early Arab
traders who had close link with this part of land once ruled by Pandyas
and Nayaks.
Other
Mosques in Kilakarai
Amir ul Muminin Abu Baker Siddiq Palli (Masjid):
Kannadi Valeeyullah Dargha:
Kulangarai Appa Masjid:
Manalmedu Masjid:
Odakarai Masjid:
Sathakathullah Appa Dargha:
Connectivity
There
are lot many transports available to reach Kilakarai/Keelakarai. From
Kanyakumari, people can take direct bus which passes through Ervadi 8kms
near Kilakarai. From Madurai, there are frequent buses available
either directly to Kilakarai or to Ramanathapuram. From Ramanathapuram people
can take bus to Kilakarai. It's approximately 16 kms by Road.
From Rameswaram,
people can get direct bus to Kilakarai. From Chennai to Kilakarai private and
public transportations are available to reach Kilakarai. From Bangalore, people
can get direct bused to Kilakarai. There are few government buses reaching
Ramanathapuram or Rameswaswaram from Bangalore.