The state government will also set up a microsite to highlight the early years of Islam in Kerala, its mosques, architecture, and culture.
Published Oct 26, 2023 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 26, 2023 | 12:00 PM
Cheraman Masjid in Kodungallur, believed to world's third and India's first mosque. (KA Shaji/South First)
Kerala’s LDF government is on a one-of-a-kind quest to promote the state’s exceptional Islamic tradition to attract tourists from across India — and abroad.
Historic mosques and other places in the state are soon expected to become part of a special “Islamic tourism circuit”, and the government is now building a microsite on Islam in Kerala as a first step — a promotional digital production tracing the religion’s roots in the state.
The Department of Tourism has already approved a budget of ₹93.8 lakh for this digital production, which would display the socio-cultural growth of Islam in Kerala as well as introduce the world to the state’s important Islamic destinations.
It will also reflect Kerala’s history, especially since the arrival of Islam in the seventh century.
The microsite would have sections on mosques, architecture, lifestyle, culture, art forms, and festivals of Kerala’s Muslim minority. It would be designed to benefit not only visiting tourists, but also religious academics, historians, students, and pilgrims to Kerala. International and domestic travellers alike would gain.
From the list of destinations to be featured on the site, here are a few:
Brass oil lamps are an essential part of Hindu rites and practices. However, at Cheraman Masjid in Kodungallur, in the Thrissur district, such a lamp has been burning continuously for over a thousand years — or so legend has it.
The mosque is widely considered the world’s second and the subcontinent’s first Islamic centre of worship.
People of many faiths bring oil for the lamp as an offering, emphasising Kerala’s strong secular tradition. The mosque is a key proponent of interfaith cooperation in Kerala, a state with a high concentration of religious minorities — Muslims and Christians make up almost half of the state’s population.
The mosque, said to have been built around 629 CE — according to an inscription on its gate, the date of establishment is 5 Hijri.
The mosque’s exterior belies its age: It has a baby blue appearance with a coral tile roof, two minarets, and a large courtyard. It has been extensively modified, but the interiors retain their old-world charm.
The inner part of Cheraman Mosque. (KA Shaji/South First)
It’s a busy place of worship and many of Kodungallur’s roughly 7,000 Muslim residents, as well as some Hindus and Christians, come here to pray daily.
It has also seen a steady influx of visitors from both within and beyond the state in recent years.
Now, the mosque is undertaking a major renovation effort with funding from the Kerala government to restore its original architectural idiom.
The interiors of the centuries-old monument are also decorated in a traditional Hindu architectural style. Fine decorations typical of South India adorn the old wood pulpit from which the imam recites Friday prayers.
Except for a white stone from Makkah, everything at the mosque is desi.
The legend of the mosque is interesting. Cheraman Perumal, a former ruler of Kodungallur, is said to have had an unusual dream in which the moon split into two. He reported this to a group of visiting traders from Arabia, who took the dream as a message from the Prophet.
Cherman Perumal, according to folklore, travelled to Madina to meet the Prophet and converted to Islam. He died on the way back, however, and is buried in Salalah, Oman.
However, before he died, Perumal directed his companions to spread Islamic thought in his birthplace. Malik Bin Dinar, a senior member of his group, is regarded as the person who laid the foundation for Kerala’s vibrant Islamic culture.
Beemapally Dargah Shareef. Photo: Supplied
When you arrive in Beemapally, a coastal village on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, you cannot miss the towering pink-hued building of the local Dargah Sharif, which is an important pilgrim centre in Kerala, not only for Muslims but also for Christians and Hindus.
Thousands of pilgrims gather from all across South India, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu, for the annual Uroos festival. Aside from the Uroos, hundreds of people flock to this dargah every day to pray for healing or to express gratitude.
Syedunnisa Beema Beevi, often known as Amma, and her son Syed us-Shuhada Maheen Abubacker, are said be the reason for the establishment of this dargah.
Though little is known about her, Beevi — believed to be a divinely empowered woman and a member of the Holy Prophet Mohammed’s family — she is assumed to have arrived in Kerala at the same time as Malik Dinar.
Her arrival date is uncertain, but her powers and popularity are not. Beema Beevi is said to have performed several karamat (miracles), and her incredible powers drew people of all faiths and castes to her.
She is revered by many people, particularly among the fishing community, and her final resting place is the dargah, around which the vast centre of religious worship has emerged over the years.
Every year, for 10 days, the Chandanakudam festival, also known as Beemapally Uroos, is held in this mosque, a gorgeous structure with soaring pink minarets and a stunning façade. It is one of the most exciting events in the state capital.
Ponnani Juma Masjid, in Kerala’s Muslim heartland of Malappuram, is known for its architectural grandeur. It is, in some ways, the “Mecca of Kerala Muslims”.
The Juma Masjid at Ponnani in Malappuram Photo: Supplied.
Ponnani Juma Masjid was built around 1510 by Zainudhin Makhdum, a famous Muslim spiritual leader and scholar. The architect of the mosque is said to have been a Hindu craftsman who was a close friend of the founder.
The structure of the Masjid represents Kerala’s rich traditional architectural style. Ponnani Juma Masjid continues to be the focal point of Islamic education in Kerala.
The Malik Dinar Mosque, located in Thalankara, Kasargod district, is one of Kerala’s best-kept and most beautiful mosques.
Malik Dinar is thought to have founded this old mosque, which was built in the traditional Kerala style.
The mosque’s wooden beams and pillars are ornately decorated in Arabic. The history of the mosque is recorded in Arabic on the latticed woodwork.
Every year, an important local festival honours Malik Dinar’s arrival in Kerala.
The Palayam Juma Mosque (Masjid-i Jahan-Numa) in Thiruvananthapuram is a major religious institution in Kerala. Its neighbours include a Lord Ganesha temple and a church — a setting that underscores Keralite traditions of communal harmony.
The history of Palayam mosque can be traced to 1813, when British soldiers were stationed in the locality. It was designed as a little mosque where people might pray.
The mosque was progressively renovated by officers and citizens over the years. The current mosque was renovated and built in 1960 by government officials and affluent merchants in the city.
The Odathil Mosque, located in Kannur district’s Thalassery town, is almost 200 years old. An Arab businessman erected it in traditional Kerala style. Odam means “garden” in Dutch.
The Odathil mosque at Thalassery. Photo: Supplied
The mosque was built in 1806 by Moosakaka, an East India Company contractor. He constructed the mosque on the site of the previously Dutch-owned “Karimbin-odam” (sugarcane plantation).
The top of the mosque is built of copper, and the crown is made of gold, which are the highlights of the Odathil Palli. The woodwork in the interior is finely carved.
Many historical mosques may be found throughout Kerala, and legends of harmony and cohabitation have developed over time.
Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, one of the earliest mosques built in Malabar, is situated at Thalankara, about two kms from Kasaragod town. Photo: Supplied
While the initial chapter on the proposed microsite would explain the history of Islam in the state, the second one would introduce the important mosques in the state, including the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Beemapalli, Jama-at Mosque in Malappuram, Mishkal Mosque in Kozhikode, Odathil Palli in Thalassery, Palayam Mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, Ponnani Juma Masjid, Pazhayangadi Mosque in Kondotty and Vavar Mosque in Erumely.
The third chapter will focus on Muslim culinary traditions, especially Mappila cuisine, which is a fusion of traditional Kerala, Persian, Yemeni, and Arab food traditions.
The lifestyle portion will focus on the bright costumes of the community, as well as weddings, pre-wedding and post-wedding ceremonies, which are expected to be popular with tourists.
The architecture chapter will go into detail on Kerala’s blend of Arabic tradition and indigenous construction skills.
The third part will discuss Muslim art forms and celebrations in Kerala, including the impact of Mappila songs, popular folklore that arose in the 16th century.
Previously, Kerala Tourism has built similar microsites on Christianity, Judaism, and temples in Kerala, and it expects that the new endeavour will be of great relevance in this age of discord and sectarian polarisation.
