Cheraman Jama Masjid

The Cheraman Jama Masjid is located at Kodungallur, about 37-km from Thrissur. The Mosque was built by Malik bin Dinar, one of the 13 followers of Prophet Mohammad who reached the ancient port of Musuris or Kodungallur, in 629 AD. It is said that Cheraman Perumal, a Hindu ruler of Musuris embraced Islam and abdicated his throne and left for Mecca to meet the prophet. Perumal is reported to have died at the port of Zafar in Yemen, and a tomb has been built there in his memory. It is also believed that Perumal's followers built the mosque after returning from Arabia. "Cheraman Perumal gave a letter saying that the land should be given to build a mosque here and hence the Mosque is known as Cheraman Juma Masjid. The unique feature of this mosque is that it uses a traditional brass oil lamp, mostly found in Hindu temples in Kerala. The pulpit from where the chief priest gives Friday sermons is made of rosewood which has carvings similar to those in temples. The architecture of Cheraman Juma Masjid also resembles Hindu temple style. There are two tombs in Cheraman Juma Masjid of Bin Dinar and his sister.