FESTIVAL AT CHERAMAN JUMAMASJID :The first Masjid in india :Cheraman perumal

This is the first Juma Masjid in India and is situated in the Methala Village of Kodungalloor taluk, hardly 20 kilometre from the Irinjalakuda railway station. According to the legend, Cheraman Perumal went on a pilgrimage to Arabia where he met Prophet Mohammed at Jeddah and embraced Islam and accepted the name Thajuddin. He married the sister of the then King of Jeddah and settled down there. Before his death he handed over the king of Jeddah several letters addressed to some rulers of Kerala seeking their help to propagate the tenets of Islam in Kerala. After his death the king came to Kerala and met the Rajah of Kodungalloor who helped him to convert the Arathali temple into a Juma Masjid. This mosque was designed and constructed by Hindus based on Hindu art and architecture. The graves of three great disciples are situated adjacent to this mosque which is the first in India and second in the world where the Juma prayers were started. People from all walks of life visit this mosque. Ramadan and Bakrid are the only celebrations held here.