The Cheraman Juma Masjid or Cheraman Juma Mosque is the oldest Mosque in Indian Subcontinent which is in Methala, Kodungallur, Thrissur District in Kerala State, India. It is assumed to be built by Malik Deenar, a Persian follower of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad on the orders of the successor of Cheraman Perumal. Cheraman Perumal was the Chera King of the modern-day Kerala.
Legend of Cheraman Perumal
There are many versions of the tradition of Cheraman Perumal. But the most accepted version is as follows.
Cheraman Perumal, the reigning King of Kerala, with Kodungallur as its capital, once experienced an unusual dream of the new moon being split into two halves at the horizon. His Court astrologers could not give him a satisfactory explanation. Later when a group of Arab traders on their way to Ceylon met the Perumal, he mentioned about his dream. They explained that this could probably be the miracle Prophet performed at Arabia (Holy Qur’an-54:1-5). This explanation convinced him and he decided to embrace Islam.
Kodungallur was once upon a time a Sea Port in Kerala. The mosque suffered a complete destruction by the Portuguese in 1504 as the Lopo Soares de Albergaria attacked the port of Kodungallur. The Masjid is located in the North Paravur-Kodungallur Road, which is the National Highway (NH-66). The Mosque has undergone reconstruction many times since the attack.
Vidyarambham, which is held on the Vijayadashami day of Navaratri, to initiate children into learning under by a learned person is performed at this Masjid by the Mosque’s Muslim Imam. The Mosque has a lamp that is said to have been burning for thousands years with oil that is brought by visitors and pilgrims of all religions.
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