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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Thazhathangady Juma Mosque
The Thazhathangady Juma Masjid, also known as Taj Juma Masjid, is a mosque situated in Thazhathangady, in the district of Kottayam, in one of the heritage zones of the state of Kerala, India, The mosque is located adjacent to the Meenachil River. Completed in c. 824 CE, the mosque is one of the oldest mosques in India.

Overview

Built in c. 824 CE by Habib Dinarm, a son of Malik Dinar, the mosque is renown for its beautiful thachu shastra style architecture, as well as its craftsmanship, including intricate teak wooden carvings, a secret passageway, and a 2,000-litre (440 imp gal; 530 US gal) water tank carved out of a single block of stone, used for wudu.

The two-storeyed mansion is 11 metres (35 ft) high with an internal area of 390 square metres (4,200 sq ft). Inscriptions from Quranic verses have been carved in timber, and there are carvings on the teak minbar. In 2012, the southern half of the mosque was demolished and extended with iron pillars, aluminium sheets and minars. A sundial (nizhal khadikaram), located in the mosque courtyard, is used to determine the time for worship.

The ancestors of this congregation settled in Kottayam from different parts of Kerala. The Muslims who lived here played an active role in the Freedom Struggle and other national movements.

The mosque opened its doors for women devotees in 2019. "Muslim women in the right attire can enter the mosque only on the two days, April 24 and May 8, as decided by the committee," said Moulavi Sirajjuddeen Hasni, the chief imam.

Thazhathangady Muslim Cultural Forum (TMCF)

Established on 20 June 2017, Thazhathangady Muslim Cultural Forum (TMCF) is a social organization located in the Thazhathangady region. TMCF aims to bring holistic development for the Muslim community located at Thazhathangady. TMCF strides ahead by upholding its motto: ‘Material Progress ingrained in Spirituality’. TMCF has been heralded as a prestigious organisation capable of bringing forth decisive transformation among its stakeholders. TMCF gyrates on areas like education, culture, charity and the like.

  • View from the south with the added minarets
    View from the south with the added minarets
  • Interior prayer hall in 2023
    Interior prayer hall in 2023
  • Wooden carving in the ceiling
    Wooden carving in the ceiling
  • Inscription and wooden carving in panels
    Inscription and wooden carving in panels
  • The sundial in the courtyard
    The sundial in the courtyard

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Sometimes spelled as Thazhathangadi.
  2. ^ Or maybe nephew.
  3. ^ Legend records that the mosque was built by the King of Thekkumkur. However, the Kingdom was extant between 1103 and 1750 CE; meaning that the legend is unlikely to be true.

References

  1. ^ "Thazhathangady Juma Masjid". Tourism Department. Government of Kerala.
  2. ^ "Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid". Kottayam district. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  3. ^ Hiran, U. (19 April 2019). "Thazhathangadi mosque gets a facelift". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  4. ^ Chandran, Abhilash (2 December 2023). "Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid: Here, architecture speaks language of history & faith". The Indian Express. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  5. ^ Naseef, T. P. (30 August 2022). "Invoking the Grandeur of the Heritage - Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid". bennykuriakose.com. Benny Kuriakose & Associates. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  6. ^ "THAZHATHANGADI JUMA MASJID". Kottayam District. Government of Kerala. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  7. ^ "This 800-year-old mosque is an architectural delight". OnManorama. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. ^ "A 1000-Year-Old Kerala Mosque Opens Its Doors For Women For The First Time". India Times. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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