MOSQUE & THANGAL DARGAH, MAMBURAM.
( THE PIOUS RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF MALABAR MUSLIMS )
The famous Mosque and dargah shareef in Mamburam, is a major Pilgrimage centre and has the mausoleum of famous Thangals (respected members of the Muslim community.Muslim shrine and receptacle for Mazars of the Thangals (the pious relegious leaders of the malabar muslims), situated in A.R.Nagar village; is a major pilgrimage centre of Muslims.
VALIYA JUMA MASJID, MALAPPURAM.
( DARGAH OF MALAPPURAM SHAHEEDS( MARTYRS) )
This is an important pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala.. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the Malappuram shaheeds (martyrs) whose brave exploits have been immortalised in the Mappila ballads.
URS-E-SHAREEF :- The four day annual festival ( Urs-e-Shareef ) at the dargah shareef and mosque (nercha) is celebrated in the month of April every year 
JAMA MASJID, THAZHATHANGADI ( 1000 YEARS OLD Mosque)
Jama Masjid, Thazhathangadi (2 km from Kottayam town)
This ancient mosque on the banks of the Meenachil River is believed to be thousand years old.
Ponnani Juma Masjid ( 600 years Old Mosque ) & Dargh Shareef of Yemeni Sufi Saint.
A 600 years old Mosque was designed by a Hindu Carpenter for a sufi saint who came from Yemen. After the unfortunate fall from top of the mosque while completing the construction, the capenter was buried inside the mosque. Its believed that only one large teak wood was used for the construction of whole building. In all entrances to the mosque one can read Quranic inscriptions engraved on it.
Kondotti
Distance : 18 km from Manjeri
The chief attraction of the small town of Kondotti is the Pazhayangadi Mosque, which is about five centuries old. The place is also famous for the Kondotti Valia Nercha - a festival celebrated by the Muslims with great gusto in the month of February-March. The revelry lasts three days and the festival plays an important part in the socio-religious life of the Muslims in the area. There is also a beautifully designed Mausoleum dedicated to the Sufi Saint Hazrat Mohammad Shah (RA), who was believed to have come from Persia. Moyin Kutty Vaidyar- Kondotty, the finest exponanent of Mappila Pattu. His Badral Muneer - Husn-Ul-Jamal, the earliest romantic piece is praised for its craft. 18km east of Manjeri. On the way to Malappuram)
Pazhayangadi Mosque, Kondotti (18 km east of Manjeri, on the way to Malappuram).
Urs Shareef and Sandal Mubarak : - The three day long Valia Nercha feast at this 500 year old Muslim pilgrim centre, celebrated in February /March, is a local cultural event.
THANGALPARA HILLS
( A POPULAR MUSLIM PILGRIMAGE CENTRE )
( MAZAR E MUBARAK OF HAZRAT SHEIK FARID UDDIN (RA) )
Thangalpara is a popular Muslim pilgrimage destination situated on the Thangalpara hill. It is believed that the Mausoleum of Sheik Fariduddin stands here. The unique feature of the three hills here is that they house shrines of the three religions of Kerala-Hindu, Muslim and Christian
Kanjiramattom Mosque, Ernakulam District
The Kanjiramattom mosque is believed to be built as a memorial to Hazrath Sheikh Fariduddin (RA). The festival of 'Kodikuthu' is held from January 13 to 14 every year. During the 'Chandanakkudam' ritual held at night, pilgrims carrying pots covered with sandalwood paste proceed in a procession to the mosque. Caparisoned elephants and folk performances accompany the procession. Traditional Muslim art forms like Duffmuttu and Kolkali are also staged during the festival.
Urs Shareef of Hazrat Farid Uddin (RA) Starts On : 13th to 14th January every Year.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 25 kms away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 45 kms away.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 25 kms away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 45 kms away.
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Periya has been an excellent place for different communities to live. Many old customs and rituals are still followed by people here. The communal environment is very harmonious compared to its neighbouring places.
One of the famous Muslim mosques in this area, is situated nearby this village. It's known as Parapalli Makham Darga in Ambalathara. In this mosque, people offer prayers for all sorts of problems and they believe it gets resolved. It is interesting to note that people from all religions offer prayers to this mosque and thus is a proud icon of communal harmony. Jama-ath mosque in Kuniya has a great history of 150 years and it celebrates nabidinam every year with the support of huge number of devotees. There is a niskarapalli in Periya Bazar.
DARGAH-E-HAZRAT SYED DAWOOD BUHARI, KARAIKAL.
Dedicated to Hazrath Masthan Saheb Syed Dawood Buhari (RA), a Sufi saint who came to Karaikal from Buhara two centuries ago. He died aged 120, in 1829. Various miracles are attributed to him. It starts with the hoisting of a huge flag on a pole-reminiscent of a ship and a sea-faring tradition. And winds up, 10 days later with a spectacle of floats lit with electric colours.
DARGAH-E-HAZRAT SYED DAWOOD BUHARI, KARAIKAL.
Dedicated to Hazrath Masthan Saheb Syed Dawood Buhari (RA), a Sufi saint who came to Karaikal from Buhara two centuries ago. He died aged 120, in 1829. Various miracles are attributed to him. It starts with the hoisting of a huge flag on a pole-reminiscent of a ship and a sea-faring tradition. And winds up, 10 days later with a spectacle of floats lit with electric colours.
KANDOURI FATEHA FESTIVAL :- Kandouri Shareef Fateha in Dargah Hazrath Masthan Saheb Syed Dawood Buhari (RA) celebrations is over 170 years old in the commemoration of this great sufi saint in the month of November every year.
PINK MOSQUE,TRIVANDRUM ( BEEMA PALLY )This mosque situated near Trivandrum
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10 DAYS URS -E-SHAREEF BEEMAPPALLI
DARGAH HAZRATHA SAYEEDUNISSA BEE AMMA (RA)
& HAZRAT SYED-US -SAEED MAHEEN ABU BAKER (RA)
Beemappalli Dargah Shareef, about 12 km southwest of Thiruvananthapuram city.The Beemappalli Dargah Shareef is dedicated to Hazratha Bee Amma a pious Muslim lady endowed with extraordinary powers. Hazratha Bee Amma and her son who belong to the family of Prophet Mohammed are believed to have come here from Arabia centuries ago, to preach their religion Islam. The annual ten-day Sandal and Urs Shareef festival at Beemappalli is held in memory of Hazratha Sayeedunissa Bee umma and her son Hazrath Sayyidussaheed Maheen Aboobaker who are laid to rest here.
SANDAL AND Urs Shareef Celebrations :-
The festival began at 8.30 in the morning of September 12th with a prayer 'Dunha' led by the religious chief Imam Jauab Abdulla Razak Maulavi on the premises of the shrine. This was followed by a ceremonial procession. The following six days saw regular religious discourses and preachings in the evenings. From September 19 to 21st cultural programmes held in the evening hours added a festive mood to the shrine.As part of the festival devotees make an offering of coins in earthern pots (kudams) which are smeared with sandal Mubarak (Chandanam) paste. This ritual is called Chandanakkudam.Thousands of pilgrims travelled here in to take part in the festival. Flowers, silk cloth and oil offered here at Dargah Shareef were distributed to the devotees who visited the shrine, as is the practice.
Getting there :
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 12 km
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HAZRATH KADUVAYIL THANGAL DARGAH SHAREEF, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
HAZRATH KADUVAYIL THANGAL DARGAH is another place of pilgrimage that houses the shrine of a famous local Muslim saint. It is on National Highway 47 and attracts people from all religions, who seek the saint's blessings.
The KTCT College of Teacher's Education is established and managed by Kaduvayil Muslim Jama-Ath Charitable Trust. The Kaduvayil Mosque is one of the ancient and famous one of its kind in southern Kerala, situated by the side of NH 47 in Chirayinkeezhu Taluk. The centre of attraction is the holly shrine (Darga) of the renowned Sufi Saint known as Kaduvail Thangal, one of the descendants of Prophet Muhamad (PBH). Hundreds of devoties irrespective of caste creed and religion visit the shrine and the offering and donations of the devoties and well wishers is the main source of income of the Trust. The income is expended largely for the upliftment of the poor people of all caste and religion in the field of Education, Health care, social and welfare activities. The Trust runs other institutions also.
Kaduvayil, Thottakkadu P.O., Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala , India
The story of Islam in Kerala is a story of organic assimilation, best exemplified by the older mosques. |
THE small jetty looks like a downgraded bus stop. People sit on stone benches, lean against the wall and some simply stand as they wait. Their eyes do not restlessly gaze at the other bank of the river nor do they seem to eagerly anticipate the arrival of the boat. There is no sense of hurry or impatience. When you scan around, you see mundu, bedi umbrella, boats, verdant green and the red flags. This dot of a space seems like a fractal version of the larger State, Kerala. The wide Bharathapuzha, which meets the sea a few hundred metres away, fixes the place geographically. The history that has accrued gives it specificity. The name of the town is Ponnani and the place is Palli Kadavu. Palli refers to the mosque and kadavu is the jetty.
Palli Kadavu is the beginning (or end?) of a fairly long street. The mosque that gives the name to the place is something special and could be the reason, apart from the river, to bring you here. This mosque is known as Thottungal Palli and considered the oldest in Ponnani. At first glance, the mosque appears like a large house and a less-informed traveller could even mistake it to be a temple. The pitched roof, clay tiles, the decorative mogapu or front and the finials on the ridge are very regional in their character. There are no minarets and no domes. The call for prayers can be heard from the loudspeakers that are loosely tied to the mogapu.
Blending in
A row of old and beautiful houses lines the street. Down the road, there is another mosque known as the Agathe Palli, built in the 15th century. One may miss this mosque unless one is looking for it. This is partly due to the smaller scale of the building and the way it sits on the street. The mosques, including the one at the kadavu, are not viewed head on. They are aligned with the sides of the street and are like any other building that front the street. Their architecture, too, does not stand out but rather weave with other buildings. But the Valia Juma Masjid in Ponnani is an exception in terms of scale. This mosque is little larger than the other two, but the architectural language is similar. William Logan, the historian, thinks that the structure was built in 1519 A.D. In this mosque, near the Mihrab - arched niche facing the direction of Mecca
Kerala has been a gateway, a place where many cultures and ideas arrived and flourished. Active trade existed between Arabia and Kerala and the Muslims dominated the trade. The kings of Kerala welcomed people to stay and granted them economic and religious security. Traders from Baghdad , Yemen and Bahrain
Cultural negotiations
At one level, the Mapillas, Muslims of north Kerala, had invented Arabic Malayalam and engaged the local language through Arabic. At another level, they followed social customs like Marumakkathayam or the matrilineal system prevalent among communities like the Nairs. Customs like tying thali or mangal sutra, dowry system and other rituals were assimilated into Muslim culture. The architecture of the mosques was embedded in this negotiation and assimilation.
The many-pillared prayer hall resembles the earlier typology of hypostyle mosques that are known for their rows of columns. It is certainly related to the pillared halls of temple and palaces and grew out of the local methods of construction. The forms, architectural details and the material used are very much local.
Nowhere is this notion of assimilation more exhibited than in the Jama Masjid, Kozhikode . In the Thekkepuram area of Kozhikode are centuries-old mosques - Miskal , Jama Masjid and Muchendi. Unlike Ponnani, the Jama Masjid in Kozhikode does not appear prominent. It is larger in size but it is laid along the street and only the two-storied porch engages the street prominently.
The entrance porch of Jama Masjid is warm and welcoming with platforms on either side. For a moment you think you have stepped inside a house. The wooden plank on the platform is many inches thick and the columns are solid wood sculpted in geometrical forms. The ceilings are ornate with floral motifs. Above the ornate relief, the verses of Quran are etched. Mohammad Koya, the Valia Qazi of Kozhikode , reads aloud the inscription on the wooden panel above the entrance. The inscription refers to the later addition and expansion of the mosque. The addition and the original core are seamlessly stitched.
As the Kazi fondly wraps the wooden column with his hand and recalls the contribution of the Muslims of Kerala, diffused light from the wooden trellis washes his small office in the first floor. The first floor is used for classes and short stays. The space is spartan but the wood is sumptuously used. It is the rich details of the wooden construction that are revealed as an ornament. There are no religious symbols and representations in this floor. The spatial quality resembles the large wooden houses of Kerala.
The history of Kerala dramatically changed with the advent of Portuguese in the 17th century. The Portuguese unleashed violence to wrest control of trade from the Muslims. The amicable relationship and the alliance between the Mappilla Muslims and the Zamorins changed. The story of the Mapillas in the colonial period and after is a different story to be told elsewhere.
Beginnings and continuities
The history of Kerala mosques, for that matter the history of mosques in India Mecca
Islam in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Hazrat Syedina Malik Ibn Dinar ( Razi Allahu Thaala Anhu ) and 11 others who were the followers of Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, first landed in Kodungallur in Kerala when they came to India India Medina , Saudi Arabia
After the fall of Chola Dynasty, the newly formed Vijayanagara Empire invited the Seljuk Turks from Ottoman Empire from the Fractions of Hanafi (Known as Rowther in South India) for trade link in 1279 AD, then biggest armada of Turks traders and missionaries settled in Tharangambadi (Nagapattinam), Karaikal, Muthupet, Koothanallur and Podakkudi. Turks (Rowthers) were unable to convert Hindus in Tanjore regions. The Turks settled in this area's with their armada and expanded to a moderate size of Islam community with population of almost 1 million Rowthers. These new settlements were now added to the Rowther community. Hanafi franctions having fair complexions because they were more closely connected with the Turkish than others in South. There are some Turkish Anatolian and Turkish Safavid Inscriptions found in wide area from Tanjore to Thiruvarur and in many villages, inscriptions seized by Madras Museum and available for public viewing. You may contact Archeologic Division [II] at Madras Museum, for viewing and further research.
Later in the 1300 AD Arabs settles in the areas of Nagore, Kilakkarai, Adirampattinam, Kayalpatnam, Erwadi and Sri Lanka this peoples may have been the first Shafi Fractions (Known as Marakkar in Far South and Coastal area of South India) community of Islam. Shafi Fractions also have mixed fair and darker complexion because they were more closely connected with the Arabs than others in South. Arab traders also opened many new villages in these areas and settles. Intensive missionary activities were carried out along the coast and a number of natives like Malaya and Indonesia also embraced Islam. Arabs (Marakkar's) missionaries marries local women's and convert them to Islam. This conversion made Marakkars to be a very big Islamic community of almost 2.5 million peoples.
Prominent Sunni Madresas in Kerala ( sunni madrasas)
Al-Kulliatul Arabia Ehyaus Sunnat Makhdumabad, Post Athukangal, Dist. Malappuram, Kerala - 676528.
Anwaria Arabi College Potachera, Post Nailaya, Cherplassery, Dist. Palacada, Kerala
Darus Salam Arabi College Naandi, Calicut, Kerala.
Jamia Nooria Arabi College Faizabad, Post Patikakad, Printhal Manna, Dist. Malappuram, Kerala - 679325
Jamia Sadiya Arabia Sa-adabad, Post Kalanad, Kasaragod, Kerala - 671317 Tel.: (0499) 2437216/2437841
K.M.M. Arabic College Pothanpal, Post Piurampadpu, Dist. Malappuram, Kerala - 2676528.
Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunnia Karanthur, Calicut, Kerala - 673571
Tel.: (0495) 200121/200421. Beemappalli Dargah Shareef, about 12 km southwest of Thiruvananthapuram city.
Some other places of the Dargahs in Kerala is as follows:-
1) Mamburam ( Tiroorangadi), Malappuram District
2) Puthenpally Noonakkadavu , Eramangalam, Malappuram District
3) Kakkidippuram, Malappuram District
4) Monnakel , Valanchery, Malappuram District
5) Maadin, Hazrat Khaleel Thangal Mel Muri Salath Nagar, Malappuram
6) Kuttippuram, Achipra Thangal, Malappuram District
7) Markaz , Karanthoor, Calicut District
8) Kadalundi, Jamalullaily Thangal, Calicut District
9) Quilandi, Parappally ( on Mountain ), Calicut District
10) Shaduli Thangal, Mamukkoya , Hazrat Uppappa, Calicut District
11) Parapalli Makham Darga in Ambalathara
THE DARGAHS OF THE TABAEENS ( 11 CAMPANIONS ) OF SAHABI-E-RASOOL HAZRATH SYEDINA MALIK BIN DINAR (RAZI ALLAHU THAALAH ANHU ) WHO HAVE CONSTRUCTED ELEVEN MASJIDS ( MOSQUES) IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE KERALA ARE NOT LISTED.
List of Famous Dargah Shareef of Sahaba-e-Ikhram and Other Sufi Saints / Auliyas of Kerala :-
2) Hazrath Mohammed Ibn Alauddin (RA), Ediyangara, Calicut
3) Hazrath Raffi Rifayya (RA), Old Masjid , Calicut
4) Qutb-e-Alam Hazrath Mohammed Abubaker (RA), Madavoor-Calicut
5) Hazrath Sheik Shaheed Auliya Al Bakari Parambil (RA), Calicut
6) Qutb-ul-Qadria Hazrath Sheik Kamal ud din Ek Umrar Haji Al Qadri (RA), Calicut
7) Hazrath Sheik Mohammed Haji Thangal Shaduli (RA), Vadakara, Parapalli, Calicut
8) Ashiq-e-Rasool Kunoor Hazrath Abdul Khader Musliar Al Qadri (RA), Malapurram
9) Qutb-ul-Qadria Hazrath Sheik Sayeed Siraj ud din Al Qadri Ailakkad (RA), Malappuram
10) Hazrath Sheik Abdul Rahman Naqshbandi Khalidi (RA), Tanoor
11) Hazrath Sheik Mohammed Bappu Khalidi Shaduli, Machingappara, Tirur
12) Hazrath Sheik Jamal ud din Ek Ahmad Haji Al Qadri (RA), Muttichoor, Thrisur
13) Hazrath Zain ud din Maqdhoom (RA), Ponnani
14) Hazrath Zain ud din Maqhdhoom (RA) Mini Palli, Shompal
15) Hazrath Abdul Khader Sani Soharwardi (RA), Purathiyil , Kannur
16) Hazrath Mohammed Moula Buqari (RA), Kannur
17) Hazrath Sayeed Moula Bhukhari (RA), City Kannur
18) Hazrath Valiyullahi (RA) Muttil Juma Masjid, Muttil , Kannur
19) Hazrath Valiyullahi (RA) Oliyankara Juma Masjid, Cherukunnu, Kannur
20) Hazrath Pallipadi Auliya (RA), Ernakulam
21) Hazrath Sheik Fariuddin (RA), Kanjiramattom, Eranakulam
22) Hazrath Abdul Razack Masthan (RA), Kaniyamburam
23) Hazrath Masthan Saheb Syed Dawood Buhari (RA), Kariakal
24) Hazrath Mohammed Shah (RA), Kondotti
25) Hazrath Sayeed Hameed Thangal Rifai, Kalamassery
26) Hazrath Valiyullahi C M Abubaker Musliyaar (RA), Madavoor , Malabar
27) Hazrath Umar Qazi (RA) Veliyankonde, Malabar
28) Hazrath Sayeed Alavi Mouladdhaveela (RA) Mamburam, Malabar
29) Hazrath Kaduvayil (RA), Thottakkadu P.O, Thirvananthapuram
30) Hazratha Sayeedunissa Bee Amma (RA) and Hazrath Syed-us-Saeed Maheen Abu Baker (RA), Beemapalli Dargah shareef ( 12kms from Thiruvananthapuram city )
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The Beemappalli Dargah Shareef is dedicated to Bee umma a pious Muslim lady endowed with extraordinary powers. Bee umma and her son who belong to the family of Prophet Mohammed are believed to have come here from Arabia centuries ago, to preach their religion Islam. The annual ten-day Uroos festival at Beemappalli is held in memory of Sayyidhathunisa Bee umma and her son Sayyidussaheed Maheen Aboobaker who are laid to rest here.
The festival began at 8.30 in the morning of September 12th with a prayer 'Dunha' led by the religious chief Imam Jauab Abdulla Razak Maulavi on the premises of the shrine. This was followed by a ceremonial procession. The following six days saw regular religious discourses and preachings in the evenings. From September 19 to 21st cultural programmes held in the evening hours added a festive mood to the shrine.
As part of the festival devotees make an offering of coins in earthern pots (kudams) which are smeared with sandal (Chandanam) paste. This ritual is called Chandanakkudam.
Thousands of pilgrims travelled here in to take part in the festival. Flowers, silk cloth and oil offered here at Dargah Shareef were distributed to the devotees who visited the shrine, as is the practice.
Getting there :
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 12 km
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 4 km
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More Muslim Festivals and Shrines in Kerala :
Mumburam : Muslim shrine and receptacle for dead bodies of the Thangals (the relegious leaders of the malabar muslims), situated in A.R.Nagar village; is a major pilgrimage centre of Muslims.
Valiya Juma Masjid Malappuram : This is an important pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala. The four day annual festival at the mosque (nercha) is celebrated in April. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the Malappuram shaheeds (martys) whose brave exploits have been immortalised in the Mappila ballads.
Situated at a distance of 5 kms south of the capital city of Trivandrum is the prominent Muslim pilgrim center of Beemapally. Revered and visited by people professing and practicing all faiths, Beemapally is dedicated to Beema Beevi, a devout Muslim lady, believed to have been blessed with holy powers.
Malappuram (Kerala) : Noted for Nercha Muslim festival.
Nearest Airport: Cochin-165 Km
Railway Station: Tirur - 28 Km
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MOST FAMOUS SUFI SAINT OF SOUTH INDIA ( MODEL OF COMMUNAL HARMONY ).
HAZRATH VAVAR SHAH BABA ( RAHMATHULLAHI ALAIH )
POPULARY KNOWN BY HINDUS AS VAVAR SWAMY DARGAH.
800 YEARS OLD DARGAH IN SABARIMALA , KERALA
HAZRATH VAVAR BABA dargah is worshipped by pilgrims who climb the hills singing hymns in praise of Lord Ayyappa and the Muslim saint.
Before going to temple pilgrims perform fateha.
About 35 million pilgrims visit this place in a year and the income generated is very high.
From my childhood i have heard the name of vavar swamy from many of my hindu friends who go to sri ayyappa temple and dargah of hazrath vavar shah baba (ra).
Sri ayappan pilgrims follow strict rules and regulations before going to pilgrims, they take bath in cold water early morning 4 am every day, they wear a black holy dress and no slippers and also the pilgrims avoid womens that they donot even eat food made of women's hand until this piligrimage of about about 40 days. They follow strong bhakti.
And also my friends informed that visiting dargah is compulsary and if some one doesn't perform fateha or visit this dargah they will definetly face problems in their ways or some thing will happen to them if they don't visit this dargah.
I have seen all piligrims have a great love and respect of the dargah of this sufi saint of south india.
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